Discern

John Calvin's commentary on 2nd Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 includes:

 

(God) "has enjoined upon us frugality and temperance, and has forbidden that any one should go to excess, taking advantage of his abundance. Let those, then, that have riches...consider that their abundance was not intended to be laid out in intemperance or excess, but in relieving the necessities of the brethren." Calvin said that half the church's funds should be allotted specifically for the poor. He concluded that "no one is to be allowed to starve."

 

Governments and organizations make the same mistake. While in their beginning their motives may have been correct they slowly slip into the attitude that the money they are given to dispense is "their" money to be used as they choose to use it. Our emergency fund contains the contributions of hundreds of people who thought we had a need. We have taken "their" contribution and put it into "our" emergency fund in case we need it. If those contributors had known we did not need their contribution they could have used the money to help someone who needed help.

 

I mentioned this before and was bombarded by some of the recipients when I said that GSMCOC does not need to operate on "faith" because we do not make any plans without knowing the source of the funds.  I was told emphatically that relying on God is testing God and that is sin.  I was equally as emphatically told that not knowing is bad business. Those reactions were spoken by people who never did anything without knowing. They have never experienced the loss of a job without a new job plainly in sight. They have not experienced a natural disaster where you wake up one morning and have: no house, no clothes, no food, no money, no credit cards, no driver's license or other form of identification. Not having experienced something of that order we comfortably and leisurely discuss our possible assistance and who is in charge and do they really need our funds.  

 

There is a distinct difference between giving to God and giving to "the church". The example of the church at Corinth "laying by in store" was to help others. We encourage people to give to us.

 

Giving to God is a scriptural concept (Matt 22:21); Giving to "the church" could just be an emotional response to a well-orchestrated man-made appeal which is out of God's Will and God's Word. So it is important for us to study God's Word so that we are able to discern whether funds being solicited are based on sound New Testament Scriptural principles. 

Suggestion for the Budget Committee

Hi Ray,

 

Have you ever heard folks say when you are working on a budget you should first "purpose in your heart" an amount to be set aside to be given to your church and your retirement or savings and then lay out a budget to pay your bills, pay for vacations, buy clothes, buy a new house, buy a new car, hire a maid or chauffeur and etc? I will presume you have because I have. When you cannot make ends meet, based on discussions when the topic was benevolence, the attitude of the men of our congregation would be you should cut back on expenses, refinance loans, sell off assets such as cars etc stop buying anything not absolutely necessary and get another job or jobs.

 

Here is a suggestion for the Budget Committee. When you are developing the GSMCOC budget for 2012 first of all set aside money to do what the church is supposed to do. Not for ourselves but for others: taking the gospel to Pigeon Forge; setting aside funds for benevolence and projects such as those that the women have going and etc then layout the budget to pay the bills.  If we cannot make ends meet we should cut back. If we cannot cut back due to commitments we have to figure out something such as looking into refinancing the building, reduction of staff salaries or reduction of staff etc. Instead of another job or jobs an organization such as GSMCOC has to seek additional contributions etc  

 

This might be a reasonable time for us to practice what we tell others to do. 

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

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/ 
          http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

No amount of observations of white swans can allow the conclusion that all swans are white, but the observation of a single black swan is sufficient to refute that conclusion.

Karl Popper

Not Me, I'm Not Called

Jesus told his apostles "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

But we often hear "I am not called to foreign missions." By foreign missions we mean an optional program for a dedicated few who apparently are called. The rest of us are willing to watch the presentations of those few when they report what they have been doing hoping we will provide the funds for them to continue.

Where does the bible suggest missions are optional? That Jesus' instructions to his apostles were optional and not required. We have taken this command and made it something only a few "have to" do.

On the other hand we take Jesus instructions to the crowds "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" as meaning me.

We take Jesus' statement to his apostles: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" and say it refers to some people and Jesus' promise "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" means me.

As David Platt says, we have taken the obligations of Christianity to mean a few others and the privileges of Christianity to mean me. We send others who we say "are called" while the rest stay behind with the others because we "are not called."

Message of Christianity

Christians enjoy what they call "rightly dividing the Word." God told Jeremiah "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Christians take the first part to mean that God knows each of us before we are born. They do not believe God appointed them a prophet to the nations.

If you ask a group of Christians to summarize the message of Christianity you will probably hear "God loves me" or "God loves me so much he sent his Son to die for me." If the message of Christianity is "God loves me" then who is Jesus?

If the object of Christianity is "me" then when we look for a congregation we look for music that fits me, programs that cater to me, and my family. When I am making plans for my life and my career it is all about what is best for me and my family. When I decide where I will live, the car I will drive, the clothes I will wear, the way I will live, it is all what is best for me.

This is not the Christianity we find in the bible.

Jesus said:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'"

Most Christians will find they are among the many Jesus was thinking of when he said:

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

Example or No Example

I cannot find an example in the Bible where the men of the congregation conducted the business of the congregation. For a group proud of its reliance on examples this is curious to say the least.

 

Paul appeared to consider congregations being lead by elders a necessity. He left Titus in Crete, so that he might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town.

 

Today congregations may exist for 10, 20 or more years without elders. Lead by men who do not meet Paul's requirements to be elders qualified nor are they interested in becoming qualified. But they do feel qualified to lead the activities of the congregation. In these situations preachers become defacto pastors while criticizing churches not organized as the Bible says they should be.   

 

Tired Leaders

Our congregation's leaders are tired. Our congregation's leaders are satisfied with the status quo. Our congregation's leaders are satisfied with the congregation swelling instead of growing. When was the last time you were excited about inviting others to attend the adult bible class?

 

Sunday school growth requires effective leaders who plan thoroughly and keep people informed.

 

When a church is committed to reach new people and its members are excited about inviting others, everywhere members go they talk positively about their congregation, their Bible study program, and their fellow members and leaders.

 

Our adult bible classes are more like Town Meetings than learning situations. Because no serious attention was afforded acoustics, before one can comment or ask a question a microphone needs to be brought to them, thus quenching the enthusiasm and discussion. Sunday school classes need to be "open" groups where newcomers are genuinely welcomed, made to feel wanted, and assimilated into the group.  

 

Growing Sunday Schools are alert to opportunities to create new units, both inside the church building and in locations across the community.  Nor is time of day or day of week a limiting factor.  While Sunday morning may continue to be the primary Bible study time in many churches, new Bible study groups can be started any day of the week to meet at any time of day or night, to meet in various places such as private homes, apartment club rooms, or restaurants. This requires additional teachers which in turn requires teacher training which requires qualified trainers.

 

Our leaders are tired. Our congregation is in trouble.  

On the Subject of God and Athletics

If you believe God is interested in what happens on a daily basis please explain why he lets 2-year-old girls get raped and murdered; why does he let teenage boys use kittens as baseballs; why does he allow his followers to starve to death; why does he only heal cancer for example that is known to respond to chemotherapy; why doesn't he ever regrow an amputated limb. God is not active in the physical world today. As a Christian Tim Tebow is violating one of Jesus' instructions by praying in front of thousands and millions instead of going into a closet or small room and praying in secret. Jesus said God answers in secret. Then ask Tim Tebow why he doesn't attend church services. Tebow is finding he could do and say things while in college because of a limited audience. The NFL is worldwide. Thanking his teammates for victories suggests he believes they are doing it all for him. But just leave him alone. He is not the NFL.

Retirement, Not Intended for Christians

Retirement is for the middle-class. Poor people need to work or they do not eat. Rich people don't retire. Look at Warren Buffet. He has so much money he gives most of it away. Of course, he probably sets his own hours.

Retirement is a new idea. 150 years ago, almost no one thought of retiring. The idea of retirement has only been around for about 60 years.

For most of its history, retirement wasn't popular with older people. Retirement was never intended to help older people; it was intended to get rid of them.

Throughout most of history there was birth, a very brief childhood, work, and death. In other words: no retirement. Work was inseparable from life. If you lived, you worked. People worked as long as they could because not working was viewed as unseemly. If you stopped working, you were probably dead or broken beyond repair.

Today Christians hoard money for that time when they will not work. Today Christians look around they see a world of need surrounding them and say: "what you would have gained from me is reserved for the time when I will not have to work." Today Christians sound very much like the Pharisees Matthew tells us about and we can read in chapter 15.

Today, Christians believe God blesses them so they can buy oversize houses, drive expensive cars, enjoy lavish vacations, and not work.

Praying with a Smart Phone

I have several versions of the bible from Laridian on my iPod Touch so I get emails trying to sell new products. There is an "app" that helps one organize their prayers and it costs less than $2. 

Matthew 6:6   

    But when you pray, take your iPod or smart phone and go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Here is help to follow through on your promises to pray for people and be more consistent in your prayer life. Laridian's PrayerPartner App keeps track of your prayer requests and God's answers. Download today on the App Store for only $1.99.

What can PrayerPartner do for you?

• Maintain your list of prayer requests
• Keep track of answered prayer
• Organize the items you are praying for by day and category. You can schedule items to be prayed for daily, on certain days of the week, or certain days of the month.
• Mark when an item has already been prayed for that day
• Associate a prayer request with a contact from your Contacts Address Book. You can view all requests for a contact and even email a note of encouragement.

PrayerPartner makes it all so convenient!

As a new year begins, now is a great time to focus on this important aspect of our spiritual life: prayer. PrayerPartner can help you do just that!


Craig Rairdin
President
Laridian, Inc.

P.S. Download PrayerPartner on the App Store today—only $1.99.

Prayer?

When we talk about limitations of prayer we use Paul's request for removal of "the thorn" and God's negative response with an explanation. Not available to us today. When we talk about God answering prayer we use Elijah increasing the oil of the widow, raising the dead son, causing rain, and fire where God communicates directly to him also not available to us today. To support our contention that God answers prayer we use Jesus' telling his disciples that anything they asked according to his will he would do. None are applicable to us today.

Apparently I have never met a righteous man because I have never observed nor experienced a prayer that did anything not to mention "availeth much." I wonder what "prayer is powerful means?

Make Disciples of All Nations

Romans 10:13-15

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?

God sends servants.

His servants preach.

People hear.

Hearers believe.

Believers call.

Everyone who calls is saved.

Not everyone will believe but some will.

There is not one verse in Luke's letter (Acts) where the gospel is advanced to the lost other than by a human agent.

There is no other plan. Prayers for other ways are not in line with God's Will.

Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin (5959 almah: a lass (veiled or private: damsel) shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin (3933 parthenos: maidenhood, virginity; by implication an unmarried daughter: 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.

Luke wrote that Mary, when told she was going to conceive, reacted to the announcement with a question "How can this be I have not known a man."

Mary testifying she was virgin does not require every occurrence of the word translated "virgin" to reference Mary. Nor does it require every mention of a young girl with high moral standards to refer to Mary.

Sin or No Sin

I hear people say they can go 24 hours without sinning. Let's look at that. They ask for their sins to be forgiven and then at the end of those 24 hours they can truthfully say they are without sin, right? Doesn't John say those who say they are without sin make God a liar and the truth is not in them? Hmmmmm!

Seems to me these people have a low opinion of what sinless means. If they can do it obviously it is not such a big deal that Jesus did it. They also have a low opinion of what maturity the Bible talks about "be perfect (mature, complete) as the Father is "perfect." At the end of those 24 hours they are on the same level as God. No big deal if we can do it and I thought that was a goal that was difficult to reach. Obviously it is not.

Christians are schizophrenic

When it comes to God, Christians are schizophrenic. They say God is a loving God, (as if there is another kind of god) while they believe he intends on torturing for eternity anyone who does not say nice things about Him. That strikes me as a bit odd.

 

Christians say God is in control and they pray unceasingly for his protection. But have you noticed how many animals suffer at the hands of his creation? Have you noticed how he apparently stands (or sits) by and watches young children suffer at the hands of his creation? If the God in control does not protect the innocent what makes anyone expect him to protect a sinner either saved sinners or unsaved?

 

Christians blame Satan for suffering and for sin but Satan is an angel possibly an archangel how does he influence us? If God is in control why does Satan have so much more influence upon us that Michael and Gabriel also angels and possibly archangels?

 

You know what I think? I think Christians have no idea what they believe. They believe what the preacher tells them to believe.

To Whom are We Proclaiming?

Moses records God's instructions describing a feast Israel was to repeat each year. Moses even recorded God's instructions concerning how Israel should eat it: "In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover."

 

Those instructions leave nothing to man's interpretation. But, Matthew describes Jesus and the disciples observing the Passover Meal more as a meal in a restaurant: "When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve." Do you suppose we are more concerned in the "how" than the "what?" Do you suppose we are more concerned with the "how" than Jesus was?

 

When Jesus "gave thanks" for what was he thanking God? When we say those two prayers for what are we thanking God?

 

Paul told the church in Corinth "…I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

 

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John do not record Jesus telling his disciples to eat and drink in "remembrance of Him." When we eat and drink alone to whom are we proclaiming the Lord's death until he comes?

 

 

 

 

 

Where Would the Church of Christ have Stood?

Moses recorded wrote: "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation."

 

Beginning with Adam God placed a limit on what type of activities man and animal alike could do on the seventh day. The fourth commandment required Israel to observe the seventh day as a holy day on which no work should be done by man or beast. Everyone including strangers within the city gates was to desist from all work and keep the day holy.  

 

Luke tells us at the time of his writing "Acts" the distance from Mount Olivet to Jerusalem was a Sabbath day's journey away or about 2,000 yards.   

 

Two lambs were sacrificed on the Sabbath while one lamb was sacrificed of each of the other six days. During the Maccabean war. Jewish soldiers allowed themselves to be massacred rather than profane the Sabbath by fighting in self-defense. After a thousand of so Jews were slaughtered they decided that in the future it would be permissible to defend themselves if attacked on that holy day but not to engage in offensive actions. Destroying siege-works was not permitted on the Sabbath so Pompey was able to raise his mound and mount his battering rams against Jerusalem without interference from the Jews.

 

By Jesus' time the religious code regarding the Sabbath listed "39 principal classes of prohibited actions: sowing, plowing, reaping, gathering into sheaves, threshing, winnowing, cleansing, grinding, sifting, kneading, baking, shearing wool, washing it, beating it, dyeing it, spinning it, making a warp of it, making two cords, weaving two threads, separating two threads, making a knot, untying a knot, sewing two stitches, tearing to sew two stitches, catching a deer, killing, skinning, salting it, [preparing its hide, scraping off its hair, cutting it up, writing two letters, blotting out for the purpose of writing two letters, building, pulling down, extinguishing, lighting a fire beating with a hammer, and carrying from one property to another. Each of these chief enactments was further discussed and elaborated, so that actually there were several hundred things a conscientious, law-abiding Jew could not do on the Sabbath.

 

For example, the prohibition about tying a knot was much too general, and so it became necessary to state what kinds of knots were prohibited and what kind were not. Allowable knots were those that could be untied with one hand. A woman could tie up her undergarment and the strings of her cap, those of her girdle, the straps of her shoes and sandals, of skins of wine and oil, of a pot with meat. She could tie a pail over the well with a girdle, but not with a rope.

 

The prohibition regarding writing on the Sabbath was further defined as follows: 'He who writes two letters with his right or his left hand, whether of one kind [of letter] or of two kinds, as also if they are written with different ink or are of different languages, is guilty.  He even who should from forgetfulness write two letters is guilty . . . Also he who writes on two walls which form an angle, or on the two tablets of his account-book, so that they can be read together, is guilty.

 

And on and on; man added to what God had said. The lay-Jew was required by their "preachers" and "elders" to follow those detailed instructions.  God did not intervene.

 

The rabbis considered the sabbath as an end in itself where Jesus taught the Sabbath was made for man's benefit and that man's needs must take priority over the law of the sabbath. Luke tells us Jesus attended worship in the Synagogue on the sabbath.

 

Would the Church of Christ have sided with Jesus or with the Pharisees?

 

 

from "Four Lessons on Money from One of the World’s Richest Preachers,” Edward White

 

"… [Wesley] identified a modest level of expenses that he was going to live on every year. The first year his income surpassed that level by a small amount, and he gave that excess away. The next year his income increased, but he kept his standard of living the same, so he had more to give away. This continued year after year. At one point Wesley was making the equivalent of about $160,000 a year in today's terms, but he was living as if he were making $20,000 a year. As a result he had the equivalent of more than $140,000 to give away that year."

What Does Our Debt Tell?

 

 

 

In his book Mark recorded a story of a young rich man asking Jesus "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" … And Jesus …said to him, "…go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."   The question we have to answer is if you believe what you call your possessions are provided to you by God does he provide them so you can buy nice cars, live in oversize houses, go on vacations, retire and not work or so that you can help others?

 

John Wesley (1703-91) provides an example of how to see our possessions in light of the needs around us. Wesley once purchased some pictures for the walls of his apartment. It was a winter day when the department store delivered them. During the delivery a Chambermaid arrived at his door wearing only a thin linen gown for protection against the cold. Wesley reached into his pocket to give her some money for a coat; he only had a little left, not enough left for the purchase. Looking at his recent purchase Wesley wondered if the Lord was pleased with the way he had spent his money. He asked himself, "Will the Master say, 'well done, good and faithful steward? Thou has adorned thy wall with the money that might have screened this poor creature from the cold! O justice! O mercy! Are not these pictures the blood of this poor maid?'"

 

The pictures were not wrong in and of themselves. However, it was very wrong for him to buy unnecessary decoration for himself when a woman was freezing without a coat.

 

We do not need to feel guilty every time we purchase a commodity that is not an absolute necessity. The point we can learn from the event in Wesley's life is that, our perspective on our possessions radically changes when we open our eyes to the needs of the world around us. When we look at the faces of those who have no food what is important to us will change.

 

Christians and congregations have put themselves so indebt they cannot afford to help those who need help.  Since the term Christian means "follower of Christ" does our indebtedness show we are not following Jesus and therefore are not Christians?

Limitations of Prayer

 

When we talk about limitations of prayers we use Paul's request for removal of "the thorn" where God verbally responds with a 'No." When we talk about God answering prayer we use Elijah increasing the oil of the widow, raising the dead son, causing rain, and fire. We use, as support; Jesus' telling his disciples that anything they asked according to his will he would do. None are applicable to us today.

 

Do you know of an example in the NT of a prayer by an individual, not directly involved with God's effort to spread the news of Jesus that received a positive response from God?

 

 

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

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/
http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

 

Roses are #FF0000 , Violets are #0000FF

 

Ephesians 2:8,9

 

For by grace (5485: the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude;) are ye saved (4982: to save; deliver or protect; heal; preserve; make whole) through faith (4102: conviction of a religious truth or the truthfulness of God; reliance upon Christ for salvation; assurance; belief); and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

1 John Missing the Mark

1 John 1:7-9

    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (266). [8] If we say that we have no sin (266), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  [9] If we confess our sins (266), he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (266), and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

1 John 2:1

    My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin (264) not. And if any man sin (264), we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: [2] And he is the propitiation for our sins (266): and not for ours only, but also for the sins (*) of the whole world.

 

1 John 2:12

    I write unto you, little children, because your sins (266) are forgiven you for his name's sake.

 

1 John 3:4-9

    Whosoever committeth sin (266) transgresseth also the law: for sin (266) is the transgression of the law. [5] And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins (266); and in him is no sin (266). [7] Whosoever abideth in him sinneth (264) not: whosoever sinneth (264) hath not seen him, neither known him. [7] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

 [8] He that committeth sin (266)  is of the devil; for the devil sinneth (264) from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. [9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin (266); for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin (264), because he is born of God. [10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (266).

 

1 John 5:16-18

    If any man see his brother sin (264) a sin (266) which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin (264) not unto death. There is a sin (266) unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. [17] All unrighteousness is sin (266): and there is a sin (266) not unto death. [18] We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth (264) not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

 

   

 

266-offence, sin (-full)

   

264-to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize) to err; faults, offend, trespass)

 

Satan and Michael and Gabriel

 

Recently the preacher mentioned many people do not believe Satan is real. From what I have read that includes many if not most teenagers. They may have been teached at or preached at but never accepted what was being told to them. They were never convinced. One question might be why didn't' we realize our failure but that is another subject.

 

Some questions I have are:

 

Who tempted Satan?

 

Satan is an angel as Michael and Gabriel are angels. Since we say nothing happens unless God permits it why do we say Satan is more powerful and influential than Gabriel and Michael?

 

James says James "… each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James does not say we sin because of Satan acting upon us. James appears to say I do not need Satan's help to sin.

 

The answer to my first question appears to be Satan sinned when he was lured and enticed by his own desire.

 

Our teachers make statements, do not back them up and then we wonder why folks do not believe.

 

Jesus told his disciples to preach and then teach. Teach requires open discussion not just lectures.

Is Satan a Who or a What?

 

Quite a while back I read that teens are spiritual but not their parents' spiritual. Recently I read teens' and young adults' experience of Christianity is shallow. Many if not most Christians do not know why they believe what they believe assuming they believe something. Apparently a fairly high percent of teens do not believe Satan is real. What would you tell a college student convince them Satan is real? Satan is an angel as Gabriel and Michael are angels. How did former get more influence than the latter? If God is in control why does he permit Satan to have such influence over the creation but he limits Michael and Gabriel in their influence? Genesis says Satan tempted Eve but God punished the Serpent. Why? Jesus said "Get behind me Satan" when he was talking to Peter. Why? If Satan is the cause behind our sinning what did James mean when he wrote we sin when we are lured by are own desires? Satan was the first of God's creation to sin but what other activity is he involved in today?

Self-Described Christians Dominate America but Wrestle with Four Aspects of Spiritual Depth Barna.org

http://www.barna.org/faith-spirituality/524-self-described-christians-dominate-america-but-wrestle-with-four-aspects-of-spiritual-depth

Five Myths About Young-Adult Church Dropouts

http://www.barna.org/teens-next-gen-articles/534-five-myths-about-young-adult-church-dropouts

Six Reasons Young Christians Leave Church - Barna.org

http://www.barna.org/teens-next-gen-articles/528-six-reasons-young-christians-leave-church

Ethics and the American Food Supply

Exodus 23:5

    If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.

 

Exodus 23:12

    "Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.

 

Compare God's instructions to Israel as to how to treat animals and keeping animals that normally lie down to sleep standing in cages their entire lives; leaving the lights on twenty-four hours a day with the sounds of machinery and animals in pain ringing in their ears.

 

J Matthew Sleeth reports to obtain billions of hamburger patties for a few cents each, America's fast-food restaurants buy much of their mean from Central and South American farmers. These farmers clear-cut forests often to start a cattle-raising process that can be sustained for a few years.

 

The loss of these forests means clouds they once made no longer blow across the Atlantic to Africa. As a result the Sahara grows by thousands of acres a year. Bottom line for Africans is starvation while the bottom line for Americans is cheap hamburgers.

 

 

When God Blesses Us Does He Curse the Chicken?

People all over the world thank God for the food they eat. People all the worldover fail to understand God had nothing to do with their having something to eat. To believe God is blessing them with something to eat is to believe God is cursing the billion people worldwide who do not have enough to eat; that God has cursed the twenty-five thousand who starve to death today.

 

Food insecurity is a term meaning "going without something to eat for days; to fear starvation." The term is becoming more familiar and will become even more familiar world wide and in the United States.

 

A "cage-free, organic" chicken farm will sort and wash four thousand eggs an hour. One cage-free barn will hold fourteen thousand chickens. They feed from pneumatic shoots; they drink from hydraulic nozzles, and defecate on the floor. Each corner of the barn contains an electrical device that delivers a shock to discourage the chickens from roosting in the corner. In a barn with fourteen thousand chickens they will suffocate themselves trying to roost together.

 

During their 9-month lifetime they will never see the light of day, feel the wind, or have a moment's rest or security.

 

Apparently this is how God blesses us with a chicken dinner.

 

John 14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do

John 14:13-14  "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  [14] If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

 

To ask in Jesus' name is to ask as the representative of Jesus and for Jesus. It is more than asking by his authority.

 

Jesus was speaking to those in his presence when he said it. He was not speaking to us.

 

Jesus promise was he would do what was asked so His Father may be glorified. In our prayers how is the Father honored?

 

The Father desiring something does not mean it will be done.

1 Tim. 2:3-4   

    This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

 

The Father desiring something does not mean it will be done. God wants everyone to be saved and that will not happen.

 

"Your will be done"

Matthew 6:10  

        Your kingdom come,

        your will be done,

            on earth as it is in heaven.

 

Matthew 26:42 

    Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." 

 

 

The word "will" means choice, desire, pleasure. Our desire should be that what the Father desires is done on earth, his creation. In his prayer Jesus was submitting to what His Father's choices.

 

John 14:13-14 “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do"

John 14:13-14  "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  [14] If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

 

To ask in Jesus' name is to ask as the representative of Jesus and for Jesus. It is more than asking by his authority.

 

Jesus was speaking to those in his presence when he said it. He was not speaking to us.

 

 

Biblical Prayers

When Christians stop giving God credit for things he does not do; stop blaming God for things he does not do; stop asking God to do things he will not do and expects his followers to do; prayers will change.

Public Praying

 

Hi Al,

 

The reason I suggested you present a lesson on what specifically is expected when God is asked to intervene when a missionary cannot make ends meet is I cannot. I expect nothing. While I suspect I am not alone I wonder what others expect and why.  I've asked and have never received an explanation. My observations and experiences lead me to believe praying for the physical goes for naught.

 

Unless James was talking only about prayers for wisdom or the faith that he mentions references only a strong conviction that Jesus is the son of God praying without expecting is a major negative.

 

I have long been convinced that over the centuries the church has become careless with its public prayers the primary purpose being to fill the time allocated for public praying.

 

Anyway that's the reasoning behind the suggestion.  

 

 

 

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

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/
http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

 

"Many mickles make a muckle."

 

---George Washington

No Expectaions

I heard a man leading a public prayer mention to God that we know there are missionaries unable to make ends meet. He asked God to bless those missionaires and to help them. That man deludes himself. God is not going to help anyone. If anyone is going to help missionaires it will be people claiming to be Christians. I often ask people specifically what are they asking God to do. So far no answer. They have no idea. They delude themselves.

 

 

Prelude to the Amen

It appears those calling themselves Christian do not believe they have any sins to be forgiven. Have you noticed how those who say public prayers leave "asking for forgiveness" to the end, a prelude to the Amen? If they believed they really had unforgiven sins separating them from the Father wouldnt' you expect them to ask for forgiveness first?

Christian Deism?

The term "deism" refers to religious belief that the creator does not intervene in human affairs or suspend the natural laws of the universe. While Christians reject deism they do not give any examples of God suspending the natural laws of the universe. Even after they asked God to do precisely that every Sunday in their prayers.

What sort of world would it be if God directly intervened, suspending His natural laws, each time we encounter a life-threatening situation? This would render the law system of our planet completely undependable and make life a sphere of hopeless confusion. Such a haphazard system, in fact, would argue more for atheism that it would for theism. 

Wrong Focus

We believe what we want to believe. Reality has nothing to do with it. If we decide to believe something we do, otherwise we do not. Christians and people who claim to be often say "grace" before they eat. They are thankful that God has provided the food they are about to consume. In reality he had nothing to do with it. The fact appears to be if we do not have money to buy food we don't eat.

 

The term "food insecurity" means living with hunger or fear of starvation. Groups claiming to know report: more than 14 percent of households in the United States are "food insecure" relating to 17 Million Americans going to bed hungry each night. For one in six Americans, hunger is real. Often, these are hard-working adults, children and retirees who simply cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, or even days.

 

Can you imagine having a life-threatening problem and having a friend who can help but does not? As Christians thank God for food they are ignoring the question why God is blessing them while he does not provide the same for many Americans. They are ignoring their responsibility. They are failing to, as Jesus said, "do for the least." According to the story in Matthew, this is an eternal error on the part of these "grace saying" followers of Christ. In the story those failing to help the "least" were thrown into Hell.

 

Recently I read an article where the author asked that while many families in the United States are food insecure and additionally the United States is beginning to face water shortages why do we celebrate farmers growing giant pumpkins that as the growers confess are "not very tasty" and "often inedible" and "rarely found on supermarket shelves."

 

Americans, Christians or not are focused on the wrong things. Imagine how many "food insecure" people could be fed if the water, fertilizer and space were used to grow food instead of those 1,500+ pounds imitation food.

 

The Church of Christ Way

 

A few months ago in one of your classes you mentioned the attitude of some who say "I can be Christian without the church." The majority of people claiming to follow Christ believe they can be Christian without the church look at the number attending Sunday AM then look at Sunday Adult Bible Class, Sunday PM and Wednesday PM. It appears those who attend more often agree with those who do not because the next Sunday AM they accept the returnees as followers of Christ.

 

So, the question is "How does our assembly help us to follow Christ?" Going strictly by the numbers the answer is they do not. Nothing happens on Sunday AM to cause the majority to want to return until the next Sunday AM. And no one asks why.

 

Working at Dollywood on Sundays and attending only Sunday evening my observation is Sunday PM is a second class assembly. We sing less songs, the Lord's Supper is a formality and is little different than passing out soup at the homeless shelter. And it is easy to see who does not contribute.  Wednesday PM is 2 lectures separated by a couple of partial songs. Our Bible Classes are similar to the Soap Operas. You can miss a couple of weeks and not be behind. How does what we do help us to be followers of Christ?

 

It is not only GSM the majority of congregations are quite similar. It is "The Church of Christ Way." The problem is it is not working. The congregation we attended in Ohio recently merged with another congregation. It appears neither could afford to pay a man to speak. Those congregations were each close to 60 years old.  When we left, 13 years ago, the congregation membership was 200-225 had elders, deacons, a preacher and a Youth minister, a VBS with around 50 or so, a deaf congregation of 10-15. When they merged they were around 100.

 

Last night the speaker from WCB mentioned God's word will not return void. In the United States 95% of the people who become what they call Christian do so by the age of 25. That means the word that will not return void does not have much affect on people over the age of 25. And no one asks why.

 

Seeking or Diligently Seeking the Father?

Jesus said anyone who comes to the Father must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek him. Doesn't the first part go without saying? Who would want to come to the Father if they did not believe that he is? That suggests the second part is what defines, what differentiates true believers. If one is to come to the Father one must believe if they diligently seek Him He will reward them.

 

 

Before studying calculus, one needs to qualify one's self by studying arithmetic, algebra and geometry. Otherwise, more advanced subjects won't make any sense. Wouldn't the same be true about seeking God?

 

 

Getting to know the Father requires time and commitment. He doesn't need anything nor does he want anything, but for all people to diligently seek him. What does it mean to diligently seek God?

 

As Usual There are More than Two Sides to Every Story

Ray,

 

Apparently nothing is as simple as first appears. On her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. 

 

 
Dear Dr. Laura: Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination .... End of debate.

 

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them. 

 
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

 

 

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

 

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual unseemliness - Lev15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

 

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

 

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

 

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

 

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

 

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

 

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

 

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
 
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging. Your adoring fan, James M Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia (It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian)

 

 

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

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/
http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

 

"People don't know what they want until you show it to them."

 

---Steve Jobs

God May Not be a Respecter of Persons but is He Selective in Whom He Heals

Most of us believe what we choose to believe. Reality has no place in our choices. Someone wrote that our acceptance of a truth depends on our perception of the person telling us the truth. If we trust the person we accept if we do not we reject. Facts have little to do with which we choose.

Christians believe everything God "wills" will happen. They are incorrect in that belief and they know it. The bible says God "wants" everyone to be saved. Christians do not believe everyone will be saved so in practice Christians do not believe what they say they do thus the dilemma why bad things happen to good people.

Christians pray for the sick and injured and celebrate every improvement as evidence of God answering that prayer. Christians do not think very highly of God's abilities. For some reason God has allowed their loved one to for example be injured and paralyzed. During the healing process that paralyzed person is able to move some part of their body. Christians celebrate that as God's healing power. If that would be correct is it too much to expect God to heal everything at the same time? Have you noticed that God has a problem with Cancer? Have you noticed that so far God has proven to be unable to regenerate amputated limbs? It appears God is very selective in the illnesses or injuries he chooses to heal.

Gospel Advocate November 2011

Matthew Morine:

 

Reference your article "Over-Weight Worship" 

 

Nice article. It might be time to change the paradigm under which the church operates. Matthew wrote that Jesus told the disciples to:

  

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

  

According to a dictionary preaching is to speak, plead or argue in favor of. One can preach about  Jesus to the unsaved. But you have to teach people to observe all that Jesus commanded. According to the same dictionary teach means impart skills or knowledge to; accustom gradually to some action or attitude.

  

Our formal service permits neither. Preaching to the saved is not the best use of a man who wants to preach. A preacher should be out preaching to the unsaved while back at the home front elders should be teaching those being saved. We have neither. We have a keynote speaker. Keynote speakers never have to explain or defend what they say. Keynote speakers are meant to entertain not teach. The current paradigm does not facilitate learning and without learning their is no teaching.

 

Again, nice article.

 

 

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

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/
http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

 

The comment that ended Groucho Marx's TV show:

 

To a woman on his show with many children Groucho commented:" I love my cigar but I take it out of my mouth once in a while".

Reference Gospel Advocate - November 2011

Johnny O. Trail:

 

Reference your article "Is Divorce Allowable for Alzheimer's Disease?"

 

Nice article, you ask "How can any religiously minded person advocate such a view?" For many the "rules" are "rules" when they never come into play. I have no idea what Pat Robertson's view is on the subject of abortion but I know Christians who while are not in favor of abortion they do advocate abortion in a case of rape or incest. Apparently the motivation behind the conception determines the humanity of the results.

 

Can we imagine a "Christian" couple where one is injured and is in a coma the other divorces and finds another spouse. Curious that anyone would entertain such an attitude.  

 

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

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/
http://alumcave.blogspot.com/

 

 

The comment that ended Groucho Marx's TV show:

 

To a woman on his show with many children Groucho commented:" I love my cigar but I take it out of my mouth once in a while".

Beatitude: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied

Matthew 5:6   

    "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

 

The promise is not to those who merely desire righteousness, but those who have an intense desire. Character is shown by the number, the intensity and the quality of its desires. The promise is to those who have such an intense desire for righteousness is that "they shall be filled." Being part of the kingdom of heaven requires one to have a deep longing after goodness and godliness. Paul told Christians in Thessalonica  about those who failed to love the truth and that God would send a delusion to those who did not.

 

One will be filled with what one intensely desires whether it be truth of a lie.

 

Can One Be Christian Without the Church?

Whatever Happened to Bible Study?

 

What used to be referred to as "Wednesday Night Bible Study" has changed. We begin by having the visitors introduce themselves. This usually takes 5-10 minutes of the 45 minutes allocated for bible study."   Following the introductions someone says a general all-purpose prayer. Next we sing a partial song. Following the song we have a lecture. I do not use the term lesson because lesson is closely related to teaching and learning. In our class we each leave believing what we believed when we arrived so there had been no teaching. The lecture which currently is labeled a study of 1 John covers most of the New Testament. It is difficult to remember what the speaker said and what book of the bible he referenced. 

 

At the 45 minute time limit we sing another partial song followed by another short lecture, followed by a partial song, followed by announcements, and another all-purpose prayer.  

 

The question is how does that help one to become a better Christian?