Christians Under Persecution?

Interesting but why are people condemning homosexuals on company time? We should be doing our best for the employer. We can only imagine how Christians in Rome preached the gospel at their workplace. I can see the christians in Corinth espousing their new beliefs on the job.

As a society do we want Hindus, Moonies, Muslims, 7th Day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses, Catholics, Methodists, Jews etc proselyting on company time? Do we want government employees elected or hired interpreting the Constitution through glasses colored by their specific religious beliefs? Or do we want them to bring ethics, morals, honesty into the workplace and into the running of our government?

I believe I have mentioned before that Christians have lost the moral high ground because of our secret use of pornography (research suggests a fair number of us (male and female) who claim Christianity view pornography regularly) our acceptance of immoral behavior on our televisions and movies as well as the idolization of the celebrity participants, and our lack of objection to unmarried heterosexuals cohabiting and receiving the associated tax benefits. When a couple cohabits (lives in sin) for a number of years the government as well as Christians consider them to be married. We have tolerated divorce for any reason and in our effort to be "Christian" tolerate and accept those so divorced into our midst with little objection. On the other hand if they were to play a piano on Sunday morning we would be unable to hold in our vociferous objections.

According to the sample verses below we should batten down the hatches and get ready to be blessed and to rejoice. Hallelujah! Amen!

Matthew 5:10-12

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

[11] "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

John 15:20-21

Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. [21] But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

2 Tim. 3:12-13

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, [13] while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

We have had it pretty good for a long time. But it may be time to pay the piper for our concentration on getting Sunday morning right and letting the world go to . . .

If We Knew

On occasion we hear the question" "If we knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow what would we do?" The question is moot because if we "knew" Jesus was coming back tomorrow, "faith" would have been done away with thus our fate would have been sealed. The answer is we would do what we do today. If we knew our house was going to be destroyed tomorrow we would make plans to have everything important to us removed.  Since we do not "know" neither do we have "faith" that Jesus is coming back tomorrow and it is possible we should live our lives as if he were returning tomorrow.

What is Your Dream? - George Barna

Each of you must ask yourself: What is your dream for your church? Is it to be a place where leaders can lead people to victory? A church where people share the gospel in strategic and life-changing ways? A congregation that is deeply supportive of each other and where people's relationships with God and family are intimate? A ministry in which the structure that is developed is secondary to the ministry that it facilitates?  A sanctuary for the family where parents and kids receive the love, training and resources they need to cultivate Christian maturity? A place where God is worshiped with integrity and sincerity? A spiritual center where learning about the Christian faith is paramount and people are completely devoted to applying the spiritual insights they glean?  A community whose heart goes out to the needy and whose time and resources are committed to serving the poor and disadvantaged? What is your dream?

 

 

Benjamin Franklin to Ezra Stiles, President of Yale

Here is my creed. I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That he governs it by his Providence. That he ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable service we render to him is doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental principles of all sound religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them.

Benjamin Franklin's Call for Daily Prayer

The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. An if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that 'except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.' I firmly believe this; and I also believe that, without his concurring air, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.

Apostle's Creed as Revised by Benjamin Franklin

"I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his son, our Lord. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, and the life everlasting."

 

 

Lord's Prayer - Benjamin Franklin Revision

Heavenly Father, may all revere thee, and become thy children and faithful subjects.

May thy laws be obeyed on earth as perfectly as they are in Heaven.

Provide for us this day as "Thou has daily done.

Forgive us our trespasses and enable us likewise to forgive those that offend us.

Keep us out of temptation, and deliver us from evil.

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Smith

This letter will, to you, be as one from the dead. The writer will be in the grave before you can weigh its counsels. Your affectionate and excellent father has requested that I would address to you something which might possibly have a favorable influence on the course of life you have to run, and I too, as a namesake, feel an interest in that course. Few words will be necessary, with good dispositions on your part. Adore God. Reverence and cherish your parents. Love your neighbor as yourself, and your country more than yourself. Be just. Be true. Murmur not at the ways of Providence. So shall the life into which you have entered, be the portal to one of eternal and ineffable bliss. And if to the dead it is permitted to care for the things of this world, every action of your life will be under my regard. Farewell.

Faith Apart from Works?

The Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, the KJV New Testament, in all cases in James the word translated "faith"  is defined as: (conviction of a religious truth or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher especially reliance upon Christ for salvation: assurance, belief, believe, fidelity – 4102)  

 

James 2:20   

    Do you want to be shown you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 

 

Apparently one cannot have the reliance upon Christ for salvation without doing something in response to Jesus instructions.

 

God is Love

1 John 3:16-17

    By this we know (love in affection and benevolence, charity - 26), that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  [17] But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's (love in affection and benevolence, charity - 26) abide in him? 

 

1 John 4:7-12

    Beloved, let us (love in a social and moral sense - 25) one another, for (love in affection and benevolence, charity - 26) is from God, and whoever (loves in a social and moral sense - 25) has been born of God and knows God.  [8] Anyone who does not (love in a social and moral sense - 25) does not know God, because God is (love in affection and benevolence, charity - 26).  [9] In this the (love in affection and benevolence, charity - 26) of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  [10] In this is (love in affection and benevolence, charity - 26), not that we have (loved in a social and moral sense - 25) God but that he (loved in a social and moral sense - 25) us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  [11] Beloved, if God so (loved in a social and moral sense - 25) us, we also ought to (love in a social and moral sense - 25) one another.  [12] No one has ever seen God; if we (love in affection and benevolence, charity - 26) one another, God abides in us and his (love in a social and moral sense - 25) is perfected in us.

A Mother's Prayer for her Marine

God, Father of Freedom, look after that boy of mine, wherever he may be. Walk in upon him. Keep his mind stayed on Thee. Talk with him during the silent watches of the night, and spur him to bravery whenever called upon to face the cruel foe. Transfer my prayer to his heart, that he may know the lingering love I have bequeathed to him as an everlasting gift.

Keep my boy contented and inspired by the never-dying faith in his mother's God. He is my gift to freedom. May that freedom forever remain untarnished, God. Through the lonely and confusing hours of training and combat, and throughout all the long days of a hopeful victory, keep his spirit high and his purpose unwavering. Make him a proud pal to all with whom he comes in contact and make his influence a noonday light wherever his duty takes him. Satisfy the hunger of his soul with the knowledge of this daily prayer of mine.

To my country, and to world freedom, O Heavenly Father, have I bequeathed this boy of mine. He is my choicest treasure. Take care of him, God. Keep him in health and sustain him under every possible circumstance of events. Warm him anew under his shelter and under the stars. Touch him with my smile of cheer and comfort and my full confidence in his every brave pursuit.

Silent and alone, I pray, God, but I am only one of millions of mothers, whose prayers stream day and night to You. This is our Gethsemane. Lead us victoriously through it, God. And lead that boy of mine through his. Fail him not...and may he not fail You, his country, nor his mother. Thank you, God.

AMEN.

 

A Wife's Prayer for her Marine

Dear Heavenly Father,

Now the evening shadows gather, the lonely night is here.

This day which has been so empty is almost gone.

Oh Dear God, be with my husband who is so far from home.

Help him when the thoughts of his loved ones bring the awful heartache on.

Lord, let him know that with Your ever-lasting love, You are right beside him With Your loving mercy from above.

Help him with his heartache, with the closeness of a friend, a smile of understanding.

It will lift the burden from his heart.

Let him also be a blessing to one who needs him.

Let him feel the prayers of his loved ones whose thoughts are always with him.

And, Dear God, when the tide has turned against him, His whole world seems upside down, Let him see things more clearly.

Show him how to love Thee more dearly.

Let his faith in Thee stay unbroken.

Inspire him with new courage every day so that he will soon be with us.

Make him strong to run the race.

AMEN.

A Rifleman's Prayer

Dear God, my Father, through Thy Son Hear the prayer of a warrior son.

Give my eyes a vision keen To see the thing that must be seen.

A steady hand I ask of Thee The feel of wind on land or sea.

Let me not ever careless be Of life or limb or liberty.

For Justice sake a quiet heart And grace and strength to do my part.

To God and Country, Home and Corps Let me be faithful evermore.

AMEN.

The Soldier's Prayer

"I want you to close your eyes and picture in your mind the soldier at Valley Forge as he holds his musket in his bloody hands. He stands barefoot in the snow, starved from lack of food, wounded from months of battle and emotionally scarred from the eternity away from his family, surrounded by nothing but death and carnage of war. He stands though, with fire in his eyes and victory on his breath. He looks at us now in anger and disgust and tells us this ... I gave you a birthright of freedom, born in the Constitution and now your children graduate too illiterate to read it. I fought barefoot in the snow to give you the freedom to vote and you stay home because it rains. I left my family destitute to give you the freedom of speech and you remain silent on critical issues because it might be bad for business. I orphaned my children to give you a government to serve you and it has stolen democracy from the people. It's the soldier, not the reporter who gives you freedom of the press. It's the soldier, not the poet who gives you freedom of speech. It's the soldier, not the campus organizer who allows you to demonstrate. It's the soldier who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag that allows the protester to burn the flag! Father of us all, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need." When you read this please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and all over the world.

Marine's Prayer

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.

Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.

Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.

AMEN.

 

Midshipman's Prayer

Almighty Father, whose way is in the sea, whose paths are in the great waters, whose command is over all and whose love never faileth; let me be aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and in deed, and helping me so to live that I can stand unashamed and unafraid before my shipmates, my loved ones, and thee. Protect those in whose love I live. Give me the will to do my best and to accept my share of responsibilities with a strong heart and a cheerful mind. Make me considerate of those entrusted to my leadership and faithful to the duties my country has entrusted in me. Let my uniform remind me daily of the traditions of the service of which I am a part. If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and keep before me the life of Him by whose example and help I trust to obtain the answer to my prayer, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Love?

At the Book of the Month meeting I mentioned computers permit us to change the word to its definition and by doing that it may make it easier to understand. I came across these samples in one of my blogs.

 

One of the problems we have with understanding the Bible is our language. We use the word "love" for sexual intensity and our view of almonds. We make love and have sex. We love our pets as well as vegetables. In the Bible the same word in our language carries with it different meanings in the original languages. The numbers are reference numbers of the Strong's Concordance.

 

1 John 2:15  

[15] Do not (love in a social or moral sense -25) the world or the things in the world. If anyone (love in a social or moral sense - 25) the world, the (love i.e. affection or benevolence - 26) of the Father is not in him. 

 

1 Corinthians 13

[1] If I speak in the tongues (a language naturally unacquired – 1100) of men and of angels, but have not (love in a social or moral sense – 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest), I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith (conviction of a religious truth or the truthfulness of God – 4102), so as to remove mountains, but have not (love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest), I am nothing. [3] If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not (love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest), I gain nothing.

[4] (Love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest) is patient (with long enduring temper – 3116) and kind; (love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest) does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant [5] or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; [6] it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. [7] … bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

[8] (Love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest) never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. [9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part, [10] but when the perfect (complete - 5046) comes, the partial will pass away. [11] When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. [12] For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

[13] So now (faith conviction of a religious truth or the truthfulness of God – 4102), (hope to anticipate, usually with pleasure, expectation or confidence - 1680), and (love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest) abide, these three; but the greatest of these is (love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest).

 

I also did one on grace. While the blog entry is much longer these paragraphs convey the general idea.

 

According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, in the KJV Old Testament, the word translated "grace" with one exception is defined as: kindness or favor - 2580. The one exception is Ezra 9:8, where the word is the defined as entreaty, favor, or supplication – 8467.

 

Also according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible in the KJV New Testament the word translated "grace" with one exception is defined as: "graciousness of manner or act, abstract or concrete, figuratively: spiritual, especially the divine influence on the heart and its reflection in the life - 5485." The one exception is James 1:11 where the word is defined as:  good, suitableness, i.e. gracefulness - 2143.   

 

While reading the Bible when we come upon the word "grace" we can think "favor or kindness of the Lord." Then ask if the term is referring to something specific or something symbolic.

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com  
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"We are more and more into communications and less and less into communication."
Studs Terkel

Love Not the World

1 John 2:15

Do not (love in a social or moral sense -25) the world or the things in the world. If anyone (love in a social or moral sense - 25) the world, the (love i.e. affection or benevolence - 26) of the Father is not in him.

Grace: What is It?

When we ask for a definition of "grace" we get an acronym or cliché. "Grace" appears to be indefinable. While the word has a definite meaning it is used some times to refer to something specific sometimes symbolic. If a dozen people were to be asked for a definition of grace a dozen replies with no two alike would be the result.

 

According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, in the KJV Old Testament, the word translated "grace" with one exception is defined as: kindness or favor - 2580. The one exception is Ezra 9:8, where the word is the defined as entreaty, favor, or supplication – 8467.

 

In Genesis 6:8

 

"Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord"

 

means Noah found favor or kindness in the eyes of the Lord. God did not have to provide a way for Noah and others to be rescued but because of his kindness, because he is kind, he did.

 

Also according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible in the KJV New Testament the word translated "grace" with one exception is defined as: "graciousness of manner or act, abstract or concrete, figuratively: spiritual, especially the divine influence on the heart and its reflection in the life - 5485." The one exception is James 1:11 where the word is defined as:  good, suitableness, i.e. gracefulness - 2143.   

 

Concerning Paul's "thorn in the flesh" as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

 

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.  [9] But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me'"

 

the word translated means that as with Noah, Paul had found favor or kindness it the eyes of the Lord and that was sufficient. 

 

Paul told Titus in Titus 2:11-14

 

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,  [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,  [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 

 

Paul uses the same word he used when writing to the church in Corinth. Paul is saying that favor or kindness in the eyes of the Lord has appeared. Is it possible that Jesus is God's favor or kindness?  

 

Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, Ephesians 2:4-9:

 

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— [6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

 

It is the same word Paul used in his letters to the church in Corinth and to Titus. And as with Noah and Paul, Christians in Ephesus and by application all Christians have found favor or kindness in the eyes of the Lord resulting in our having the possibility of being saved. God did not have to reconcile us to himself but because of his favor or kindness he did, through Jesus.

 

While reading the Bible when we come upon the word "grace" we can think "favor or kindness of the Lord." Then ask if the term is referring to some thing specific or something symbolic.

 

First Corinthians Thirteen

[1] If I speak in the tongues (a language naturally unacquired – 1100) of men and of angels, but have not love (in a social or moral sense – 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest), I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith (conviction of a religious truth or the truthfulness of God – 4102), so as to remove mountains, but have not (love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest), I am nothing. [3] If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not (love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest), I gain nothing.

[4] (Love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest) is patient (with long enduring temper – 3116) and kind; (love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest) does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant [5] or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; [6] it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. [7] … bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

[8] (Love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest) never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. [9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part, [10] but when the perfect (complete - 5046) comes, the partial will pass away. [11] When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. [12] For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

[13] So now faith (conviction of a religious truth or the truthfulness of God – 4102), hope, and (love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest) abide, these three; but the greatest of these is (love in a social or moral sense - 25, Christian love; the highest level of concern and interest).