Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
I woke up around 3am and this Scripture came to mind, I spent much time in thought concerning "SHEEP", then later when I got up I did some reading on sheep & Shepherd I believe that when folks get a clear understanding of sheep & the shepherd back in the day the the reading of the Scripture could very well hold a much more clear and precious meaning. Something about understanding and identifying with words of yester-year that open up a whole new understanding today.
The other day I got hung up on salt----"You are the salt of the earth"----so I went and dug up an understanding of salt way back then, this offered me a much greater appreciation for Jesus's words back then. I mean salt back then was a treasure, not something on the table of today in a shaker.
Somewhere I was reading that back then salt was as valuable as gold. The value of salt in $$$$, preservative, healing qualities and so forth, when one makes that connection it adds great value to our Scripture. When told that Christians are to be the Salt of the earth, it certainly clearly explains not only our value but also our responsibility ....ALSO !! If we loose that salty content, I reckon we are up that creek without a paddle--
God Bless----Hump Day, calls for a lifted heart & a big ole smile
A pinch of info from my Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible, I flipped open to this hi-lited piece. Worth sharing: from notes in John concerning Miracles:
The apostle John uniquely positioned Jesus' miracles as evidence of His deity, to attest that Jesus is the Son of God. In fact, John never uses the word miracle in his Gospel. Instead, he uses the word sign when describing a miraculous event in Jesus' ministry. A sign is never erected for its own sake; it always points to something else. At each of Jesus' seven miracles, strategically placed in John's account, the apostle shows that Jesus was acting so that others would know that He was from the Father, who gave Him the power to perform such miracles.
A little something there to kick-off your Tuesday-----God Bless & have a very good day
Hey there PaPa John, so glad you gave it a test drive. I really like my John MacArthur Study Bible & Scofield , but Last Christmas my lovely bride of 50+ years gave me D. Jeremiah Bible, I was amazed at how clear it opened some thing up to me, so amazed that I gave each of my 3 kids one. Although I have stated how this Study Bible opened so much to me, but, can not be 100% sure it was the Study Bible, that maybe, just maybe the Holy Spirit thought that maybe I was ready for a more clear understanding.
ANYWAY, I trust that God will open your mind to greater understanding of His word and grant you tons of wisdom in there with that understanding.....God Bless and thanks so very much for your kind words---I feel richly blessed
God Bless---OH!!! May I suggest that every time just before you open your Bible to read and study you take a couple of seconds and ask God to direct your reading and send the Holy Spirit to offer guidance.
I have heard it said more than once from the religious leaders----"You have to understand that over the years things change and we have to change with times." Now there is a lot of truth in changing with times, but does this apply to our faith? Scripture, from Hebrews 13:8 says----"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Things do change, but our faith needs to be rock solid. Then the author of Hebrews goes on to record---"Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace"
Just a passing thought here this morning....God Bless
I know I am just babbling here, but, I believe they chant it very much through abortion----Maybe not the Aztec deity but the "ME" deity....so many folks are focused on "ME", what I want, what I need....folks personal day to day life is their god......
Thanks for sharing
This hi-lited passage caught my eye this morning
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
New King James Version
Comfort in Suffering
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
THEN: in Dr. Jeremiah's Study Bible notes he says---"Paul uses a form of the Greek word for comfort (paraklesis) 10 times in this small section. This "comfort" is far more than a passing relief or sympathy. It pictures one who stands beside us in the midst of struggle to encourage and support. The same root is used of the Holy Spirit, our heavenly Comforter and divine Paraclete ! Paul's words affirm: (1) God who is the Father of Jesus Christ, will comfort us in the midst of adversity. (2) This comfort will serve us in a powerful way when God uses us to comfort others
The thing that really caught my eye was the part that God comforts us in our hour of need, which allows us through our personal experience to help those who may be suffering the same struggles we endured. Our personal God given relief is not something to keep locked up, but something to share to help our fellow friends. Remember the only Bible many will ever read or see is "YOUR ACTIONS". Which brings up the very personal question----"When others see and hear you, do they see a Christian?
Hummmm!!!!! Something there for each of us to think on---including the guy who wrote this
I will let my daughter know....sounds fitting
Not really Scripture or God sent message from an angel, but humor which is very good for the soul. Even before I got up to fix my coffee my daughter sent me this----enjoy---shows that I am not the only sick puppy in this family---
MY TOP 3 ASSUMPTIONS WHEN THE DOOR BELL RINGS:
1--Murder
2--Police telling me everyone is dead
3--That book I ordered about positive thinking
1 John is a neat little book in the Bible , only 5 chapters and probably tells us more than all the sermons we have heard in our life time. I got to looking at this Epistle this morning and notice that I had several verses hi-lited and looking at each one individually rang a bell different from reading the whole Epistle...Allow me to share these verses this morning, maybe kick our "P" brain in gear....from 1st John
1:9--- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2:2--- And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
3:1---Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
4:1---Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
5:14---Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
The Epistles each are only 5 Chapters long, except 2 Peter which is 3 chapters, making each a short read, but, each carries an abundance of knowledge. Starting with James, he was a brother of Jesus, it was not until after the death & resurrection of Jesus that James become a true believer, James Is quite a story by itself. Peter and John were 2 of the Apostles who were with Jesus throughout His time on earth, shall I say they had 1st hand knowledge. I think I am safe to say there writings are more accurate than a person of today who voices their opinion..."something there to think on".... not saying that we do not have Godly folks in the pulpit today, but, just like much back then, a lot of folks were in this for personal gain----that is why we depend on the guidance from the Holy Spirit----that would be that little voice inside each of us that teaches right from wrong, we may not pay attention, but He is there..
God Bless and have a great day
I understand you completely, I just now looked at it again.....from the NKJV--"Therefore, whoever confesses me before men----etc, etc( whoever speaks up for me) I looked up in Greek "Confess" as used here in Matt...
Confess: " homologue"-----to assent, i.e. covenant, acknowledge----con-(pro)-fess, confession is made, give thanks, promise.
assent---to agree to or approve of something
I just never thought of this in a negative way, I always thought of it like, if I acknowledge Him, then He will acknowledge me.......I am most likely digging a very big hole I probably can not get out of
I could be all wet here, but I have often tried to explain understanding Hebrew and Greek something like this.....Way back in those day of Scripture writing there were enough words to maybe fill up a row-boat, today in English we have enough words to fill up an aircraft carrier. It is very difficult for the smartest of the smart to always get the right Greek or Hebrew translation into English . I suppose that when Jesus said He would send the Spirit back to teach us all things and Paul in 1 Corin. 2 said the the Holy Spirit teaches us all things. I do appreciate you rattling my cage today----but I hope this sticks with you a while
God Bless
OR !! He's been married a lot of years and many children----which has led to pulling out one's hair
You just had to go and stir up a can of worms, didn't you ??? I see this the 1st thing and thought --"I never thought of it like this"---so I go through 3 different study Bibles, 3 different Bible dictionaries, & the Interpreter's Bibles, and right back where I started. Luke 12:1-10 helped me. I just went to get my 2nd coffee and while putting my 1/2 & 1/2 in my cup this thought came to me...."Over the years, what did your heart tell you?" I believe that over the years I read confess, but always thought of it as acknowledge, but, I am glad you opened this can of worms, anything to make another think and seek an answer to also draws one nearer to God. John MacArthur Study Bile says----""Confesses Me.----The person who acknowledges Christ as Lord in life or in death, if necessary, is the one whom the Lord will acknowledge before God as His own." There is also a reference to 13:20, here is when Jesus taught the parable of the sower and in verse 20, "those who receive the word on stony places"......----as I read this parable I gained a deeper understanding of "confess, Me, before men".
I have read and studied both passages of Scripture, but never tied the 2 together like this morning, so thanks for the stirring of the mind.-----Think on this, Jesus was instructing the 12 Apostles here in Chap. 10, try to picture Jesus standing there with the Apostles seated on the ground and maybe think of it in terms of today's speech & actions......Make yourself one of those sitting there on the ground learning. Although Jesus was addressing the 12, Scripture also speaks to us individually.. Your thoughts stirred my mind and hopefully maybe another's mind also, but take a moment and ask God, "was something here for me to grasp?"
MAN!!!! That a bunch for the 1st thing on Monday morning----God Bless
I'll bet these folks that think or thought it was a good idea to close the churches due to Covid will be the 1st to complain if they pass and St. Peter says---"Sorry, we have a delay in opening due to a strange bug going around, but the devil said he would be very happy to have you visit hell for a 14 day incubation period." OH !! How I can hear them squeal like a stuck pig....lol----just hit me, there should be a really good tune here, if someone has song writing abilities
Happy Friday folks, God is good-----I love waking in the morning with a tune on my heart and a piece of Scripture on the ole mind------BUT-----This morning I woke with a mind that said, "OK, time to get up and get rolling, you been sitting around long enough"----Then I got out of bed and started moving around a bit and then the ole body spoke to me, saying--"WELL !!! Maybe next week."----I think it took all of a 1/2 minute or less for this discussion to come to a close----Body won out, what can I say.
You folks have a really good week-end ----don't let the mask hide your smile, let your Christ like glow
Big ole subject here.....but......Many christian churches , IMO, have greatly disappointed God
I do not understand how they justified the vote to begin with, they said what they would do, what they stood for and yet people voted for what they wanted. They got what they ask for....
Once again I just flipped open my Bible, that flip landed on 2 Corinthians....Introduction page..The 1st paragraph should open our eyes as to offer a better understanding of Scripture. It is difficult for one to remove themselves from 2021 to a place in history back a few thousand years ago to the time of Christ and then way back before the New Testament. My opinion, if we stop to think, really think, and take in all the difference time has to offer, then we may grasp a different understanding.
This is just a thinking moment, not a teaching moment...But Dr. Jerremiah in his Study Bible offers these thoughts-----
"If you find yourself being lied about or slandered in today's world, there are many ways to set the record straight -----Group e-mails, social media, blog post or video conference calls. But in AD 55, the apostle Paul could not tract down the leaders of the Corinthian church on their phones, This was a era when all communication was either face to face or by letter and to get anywhere you had to rely on 4 legged transportation, a perilous sailing vessel, or your own 2 sandaled feet. In the meantime, your enemies could have a field day portraying you in distorted, unflattering terms or attacking you character with out right lies.
I think, and I should not do that, thinking is not my best trait, but here in 2021 we just do not take the time to add into our Scripture reading the understanding of differences in "TIME"........We have gone from Horse & Buggy to Jet Airplanes, flying at several hundred mile per hour at several thousand feet in the air, in just the past few years. Our kids live just across town, so to speak, yet I can jump in my pick-up and be in their drive in 30 to 40 minutes, but in Bible times this would be a days journey.
Like I said, this is not Scripture teaching, but rather a thinking moment, which if we stop to think maybe a better understanding will float our way
God Bless and have a fantastic day
I use the NKJV, “I can do all things through Christvwho strengthens me”
That verse has carried me through many a difficult time
I was really amazed while at the hospital for my little stay, anyway, I was ask many times about my attitude-----I always referred to or answered it all comes from Philippians 4: 13, now what amazed me was the number of people that know that verse and always agreed with me. A great verse not only for memory, but to put into practice . It works for me
I have often thought on this passage....NO WAY can we even begin to imagine God's thoughts, yet He clearly understands us. I can only think in "earthly" terms and bottom line is I don't get it. Yet the Holy Spirit guides us in our weakness....Amazing how it all works,---- "God says---Don't worry about it man, I got you covered, when you need to know something or it is time for you to know something, I'll send the Holy Spirit and He will teach you all things you need to know & understand at that point of your earthly visit"------all we have to do is believe & learn faith. Maybe I don't get it, maybe I don't understand it, but God does and seems as if that is all that matters
G'Morning folks, been a few ruff days, but God is good and Philippians 4:13 holds as true today as way back when Paul wrote it. My daughter told me---"Dad! don't be doing any computer stuff!!" It appears my fingers, my mind, & thoughts are not properly aligned at this place, so over look stuff that makes no sense. This morning I sat at my desk, took my Bible, placed my hands on it and spoke with God before trying to read a word----"God, offer me a message from where ever this book opens to." It opened to 1 Peter 1, I read and read and was distracted with the idea that God did not hear me, then I got to the following, and this really rang a bell with me......I read it 4 times and almost did not post it because I can not explain any of my thoughts which came to me, but there were many-----then I decided that maybe this was a personal thing, something from God meant for me. Could be it will chime in with a couple of you, then maybe not------I suppose my thought goes to the very beginning of this, Before reading, place your hands on your Bible and ask God for His help in understanding the message in there for "you". It may be a message you wish to share, or a personal message you keep tucked away in your heart, which ever, it will be a message to help you draw nearer to God-
NOW!!!! "IF"---my pain stuff makes this a little hard to get through , well, just chalk it up, however if it makes sense, then we can thank God for the assistance of the Holy Spirit-
1 Peter 2: 18-25
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
“Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
God Bless and enjoy this day-----WOW!!! Didn't think I could this
Told my bride that I wanted to post , SOOOO. Been a long day, no real issues but from what I /we understand there was pain control issues while under going surgery, not sure what that is but all is well, I am sitting in a chair in my room, spent the whole Da in recovery, they put me on a very short leash. I want to say thanks for the prayers & concerns, all in all I think I am doing very good, tomorrow after some of this pain meds. wears off will tell the tale, but, hey, I feel good right now
But, you can’t imagine how secure it makes me feel to know that I have unknown friends from ocean to ocean & border to border speaking with God with concerns for me——thank you so very, very much
Thank ya, sitting here waiting to get this thing started, reminds me of those military days, hurry up and wait
thank ya.....
wonder how I got to be a bad penny....seems that years ago someone I knew used the term bad penny, maybe I am just guessing...lol
We thank ya
I'll bet those folks from auto extended warranty call while I am in the hospital...lol......If they do I will request and extended BODY warranty. I have a lot of miles but all in all ain't 1/2 bad for a 1943 model
Happy Tuesday evening.....Thought I drop in and ask you good folks to get your prayer robes & beads out, tomorrow morning I am to be at the hospital, early, for back surgery at 9am. From what I think I see, I will have a revision lumbar Laminectomy on L4 & 5 and revision fusion on L4 & S1. Now you take that and a buck 59 to the corner market and you might be able to purchase a small coffee . Now if I may be a bit serious for a second......NOTHING beats the power of prayer. Back a few years ago when I had open Heart valve replacement surgery and ran into complications, I am totally convinced that if it were not for the prayers for me, I would not be here today. Now back surgery is today very common, but when they knock you out and go to cutting on you, well, who knows what may happen.
I have ask my bride to do a post and say all went well......so often prayers are requested, but for what ever reason a follow up does not happen.....maybe I am just t nosey
God Bless and thanks.
You made me go digging....I always thought on verse 10 as we do for our fellow believers 1st, like I take care of my family 1st then reach out to help my neighbor. Now I have read this section from 3 Study Bibles and the Interpreter's Bible. I have a handle on it and understand it, but, not good enough to write my thoughts.....Thanks for making me wake up and dig...lol...I do not feel bad, even Peter said that Paul was at times hard to understand----
G'Morning folks....I woke this morning at 4:15am and had the below Scripture on my mind along with 2 Thessalonians 2. I laid there in bed for a pinch over an hour with thoughts on these 2 pieces of Scripture. I wish I could properly gather all my thoughts and share them, but, I think it was just time that I had with God, personal time, (maybe He was telling me something) however I do want to share a thought or 2 & hopefully I can get some of it to come out close to right. I understand that the Thessalonians Scripture has to do with the 2nd coming of Christ and the end of times and Hebrews has to do with mankind's drifting away. As I lay there thinking I thought of Billy Graham once saying that the end of times is when we take our last breath, when I draw my last breath my time here on earth is done, gone, history. I think most of my thoughts ran with the falling away and us drifting away. Like I said I do understand Thessalonians concerns the 2nd coming so maybe it really does not apply here, yet, at 4am it was there, but, when we take our last breath we are there----where ever that may be. I had an illustration pop in my mind of a boat tied at the dock and coming loose and starting to drift away, then the water became rough and little by little the water splashed into the boat, not much, just little by little and gradually filled the boat to where the boat could not stay afloat any longer and sank to the bottom. I thought much of my church I grew up in and how every Sunday it was full and I thought of how other neighborhood churches were the same and today how low the attendance is in many churches. My thoughts tied this in with the falling away and folks drifting away. Life offers many challenges, church doctrine seems to constantly change, and as Isaiah wrote....we call good--evil and we call evil--good. I thought of the drifting boat and how little by little it took on water until it could hold no more and just how our lives will get to drifting from the truth, so very much like the boat. Our Christian life takes on a little sin here and a little sin there and gradually we are so corrupted that we could not know truth if it hit us upside the head. I never meant to drift, I never meant to fall away it just happens........I suppose that is why we need to read our Bible, it is God's word, even if we only open it to wherever and grab a verse or 2, just might keep us from being like the boat that broke loose from the dock. James wrote--"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you", Scripture says--"Seek and you will find, ask and it will be given, knock and it will be opened." If anyone makes an honest attempt to locate God, He/She will find Him, He is always close by
I suppose I just wanted to share to maybe make you think a little on how life offers us much to cause us to drift and fall away and not even realize the current is taking us further and further away from truth.
God Bless
Hebrews 2:1
New King James Version
2 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
thanks
Right on !! I don't have the exact words, but Pres. Regan said something along the lines of---"Have you noticed that the people who support abortion have already been born." Something like that
I check the Obituary section of the paper every day, I suppose I am checking to be sure I am still here. Today, call me "One Sick Puppy" I don't care, but our paper has pictures of the deceased, this morning I noticed that they all have a big ole smile on their face. My question----is our world so screwed up that folks are happy to be leaving?
Off to get a Covid test...I am up for back surgery come Wed. and really have to jump through hoops to get in the hospital. Maybe 8 or so years ago I had back surgery and it went like this, I went to see the doc, then got a shot in the ole back, then an MRI, then off to the hospital---now today----I have been right at a year getting to this point, I think 11 months---My point, if it ain't broke --don't fix it and sure enough somewhere along the line someone thought "HEY !! Let us fix our medical stuff"----so I was lucky enough to walk around in pain for right at a year. I love the doctors, nurses & folks who work there, but the Admin. leaves a lot to be desired. Over the past months I have worn out Philippians 4:13 and the ole Marine Corps thing of "Pain is just weakness leaving the body"........Hey!! I am here to testify that Philippians 4:13 really works----of course you have to have the faith----but it really works, I know
See Ya! God Bless
very good point....America has always done more for mankind than any other country. I am amazed at the Samaritan Purse, I think maybe the gov't might re-emburse them for some of it, but they are right there to help in all corners of the world & share the gospel....I think they are really good folks. Our country has many who put forth $$$$ to help others out. But I still often wonder how God looks down on the USA, yes we do good, but with abortion, rebelling and so forth.....I often wonder-----Not passing judgment because I often wonder why God puts up with me.....lol
I don't know much about Nahum, I've read it & marked a verse, but I surely don't know much here. I was sitting at my computer & getting ready to call it a day, popping jelly beans liked I was hooked on them and thought to myself I'll just flip open my Bible and see if it landed on whatever----It opened to Nahum 1: 7----"The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him"-----HUMMMM!! I took a few minutes and read this short Book of Nahum, not but 3 chapters long and not really a "lift me up Book" either, I think I hi-lited the best verse in there.
Question---when you folks read about how over & over God's people turned to idols and turned from God, does your minds think of the USA? Or maybe I have just stripped a gear..
OK---I gotta run from my Jelly Bean jar.........God Bless
This is not creation, but once in S.S. class some of the discussion was leaning to the doubt side and of course I am opposite, but my reply was if I am to believe that God spoke everything into existence ten everything else in Scripture is a piece of cake for God, whether it is the flood, the Lions den or whatever else, strictly a piece of cake for God.
Headed to get a haircut, but appreciate your reply, some good thought in there. I love the part, creation week is not part of Salvation. Sometime we miss seeing the beauty of the forrest while staring at 1 tree.
Thanks---I had to read it 3 times for it to start to sink in. I have read the O.T and tried to get a grip on a lot of it and am just now learning the connection of the O.T. with the New....the more I dig the more I understand how they tie into gather.
Now this will cause many to totally disagree, but, what I learned concerning the beginning of it all. God created all in 7 days. then the subject of evolution comes into play. I don't know, but maybe 8 or 10 years ago I came to what was clear to me or made sense to me... In reading and studying 1st of Genesis, yes it says in 7 days God Created----then I learned that it was the 4th day (starting in verse 14) that I learned that this marked the beginning of the 24 hour day, as we know it....so what was the 1st 3 days.
In Genesis in Hebrew word DAY is "yowm." yome--can be used as a 24 hour day, or time set apart for a specific purpose (day of atonement ), or a longer period of time during which certain revealed purposes of God are to be accomplished --- l may look at it however I wish, but however I look at it-- the sun did not become a measure of time before the fourth day. Now when I understand DAY like this I clearly understand the creation. I do not argue the point, some say the Bible says God did it all in 7-- 24 hour periods, and that is the way it is---PERIOD-- I respect those thoughts, but in Hebrew the word day can mean different 4 things and there is no denying that Scripture explains the fourth day. NOW !! I could be way off base, but I am happy with my understanding.
When I post something here, and others agree, disagree or just add to it, I really appreciate it. Often their thoughts open a new understanding, their thoughts cause me to do some research, their thoughts help me in learning. Now if it offers help to me, think of how it may help one who never post on the board, but reads the board or one who is just seeking.....Reckon my point is folks don't be shy, everyone here is in a learning curve and much will never be made clear until we pass into eternity. One time in S.S. I made the statement that I would rather get to heaven and tell God, well this is what I thought Paul meant rather than say the teacher or preacher told me this or that. And that my friend is why we read God's word.
I went out this morning again to Revelation and got hung up on "HADES"---PHEEWWW !!! Reckon I best stick with trying to understand Revelation 1st then tackle something else. I love Bible Study, but the more I dig into it the more I realize I never knew 1%, which is ok, Billy Graham once said that he had studied the Word for years & years and everyday learns something knew.
My dad was a "good" christian man and one time in his old age (80's) & he told me---"David, it is hard to look at these young girls and not have lust in your heart, the way they dress and show so much of their bodies, it is just hard not to have lustful thoughts." At that time I thought that very amusing, here this "old" man
sort of getting a buzz on hot chicks. Well now at "77" I know exactly what he was dealing with, If I do not think on Psalm 50:15, and the Scripture where it says that God will not allow more temptation than we can handle and will also have a path of escape, and where James wrote Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.., I would be in a world of do-do....In total honesty, I love noticing women, in total honesty I fight the battle of lust. Now you may laugh, but lust is lust is lust. Lust does not necessarily have a sexual note---it is a strong desire for whatever. We want something so much that we will go to extremes to get what we want, we put "ME" 1st, others 2nd and God 3rd. I suppose lust is a normal thing in everyone's life, one way or the other----reconize it for what it is and rely on the Holy Spirit to deliver us
Now if that does not kick your "P" brain in gear this morning ---nothing will----I will always keep noticing the beauty of women, God made them beautiful for a reason, but I will rely on Scripture which I have put to memory to keep me in check......
Years ago it was said----"Love your neighbor---but don't get caught."...that was bad of me, but I 1st heard that as a teenager from a Christian man who liked to tell it in joking form...
God Bless and share a smile and pleasant greeting with those you come in contact with today, they may really need a little kindness.
Thanks, but a 2 week notice would have been nice——- yep, one of us in every crowd
Going through some old emails I ran across this----great food for thought--
Is the Bible the Inspired Word of God?
By Jason Carlson and Ron Carlson
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
During a question and answer session at a recent speaking engagement, a
university student asked me, "Why do you believe that the Bible is the
inspired word of God?" Now this is a very interesting question; and
probably one of the most important questions any Christian could ask
themselves. What is so special, so unique about the Bible that
Christians believe it is literally the inspired word of God?
In answering this student's question, I encouraged him to consider the
following facts about the Bible:
First, the Bible is not just one single book. This is a more common
misconception than many people realize, especially with people who do
not come from a Judeo-Christian background. Rather than being a single
book, the Bible is actually a collection of 66 books, which is called
the canon of scriptures. These 66 books contain a variety of genres:
history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom literature, letters, and apocalyptic
just to name a few.
Second, these 66 books were written by 40 different authors. These
authors came from a variety of backgrounds: shepherds, fishermen,
doctors, kings, prophets, and others. And most of these authors never
knew one another personally.
Third, these 66 books were written over a period of 1500 years. Yet
again, this is another reminder that many of these authors never knew
or collaborated with one another in writing these books.
Fourth, the 66 books of the Bible were written in 3 different
languages. In the Bible we have books that were written in the ancient
languages of Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic; a reflection of the historical
and cultural circumstances in which each of these books were written.
And finally, these 66 books were written on 3 different continents:
Africa, Asia, and Europe. Once again, this is a testament to the
varied historical and cultural circumstances of God's people.
Think about the above realities: 66 books, written by 40 different
authors, over 1500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different
continents. What's more, this collection of books shares a common
storyline- the creation, fall, and redemption of God's people; a common
theme- God's universal love for all of humanity; and a common message-
salvation is available to all who repent of their sins and commit to
following God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. In
addition to sharing these commonalities, these 66 books contain no
historical errors or contradictions. God's word truly is an amazing
collection of writings!
After I had shared the above facts with this student, I offered him the
following challenge: I said to him, "If you do not believe that the
Bible is the inspired word of God, if you do not believe that the Bible
is of a supernatural origin, than I challenge you to a test." I said
to the student, "I challenge you to go to any library in the world, you
can choose any library you like, and find 66 books which match the
characteristics of the 66 books in the Bible. You must choose 66
books, written by 40 different authors, over 1500 years, in 3 different
languages, written on 3 different continents. However, they must share
a common storyline, a common theme, and a common message, with no
historical errors or contradictions." I went on to say, "If you can
produce such a collection of books, I will admit that the Bible is not
the inspired word of God." The student's reply was almost
instantaneous, he emphatically stated, "But that's impossible!"
"But that's impossible!" It truly is impossible, for any collection of
human writings. However, the Bible passes this test. The Bible
contains 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1500 years, in
3 different languages, on 3 different continents, with no historical
errors or contradictions. The entire Bible, from Genesis to
Revelation, bears the mark of Divine inspiration.
The next time you encounter someone who asks you why you believe the
Bible is the inspired word of God, try sharing this challenge with
them. Better yet, don't wait until you're asked, just go ahead and
share this challenge with a friend today. You don't even have to
mention the Bible up front, just ask them if they think it would be
realistic to assemble such a collection of books. After they say, "But
that's impossible!" you've got a ready-made opportunity for sharing the
truth of God's word with somebody!