Resolution by Gary Rose

Like so many others, I have often wondered WHY human beings just seem to “get along”. Even worse, WHY they cannot resolve their disagreements. And those disagreements often change to anger, resentment or hostility and eventually war. These things happen at interpersonal level and sometimes even all the way up to an international conflict. Problems can be resolved, however, if there is a genuine willingness to do so.

Acts 15 records a dispute over whether or not someone had to be circumcised before they could become a Christian. Here is their resolution to the problem.

Acts 15 (World English Bible)

  ¹ Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.”  ² Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.  ³ They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.  ⁴ When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them. 

  ⁵  But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” 

  ⁶  The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.  ⁷ When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News, and believe.  ⁸ God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.  ⁹ He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.  ¹⁰ Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?  ¹¹ But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,  just as they are.” 

  ¹²  All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.  ¹³ After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴ Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name.  ¹⁵ This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written, 
  ¹⁶ ‘After these things I will return.
I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen.
I will again build its ruins.
I will set it up,
  ¹⁷ That the rest of men may seek after the Lord;
all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who does all these things.
  ¹⁸ All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.’

  ¹⁹  “Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,  ²⁰ but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.  ²¹ For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” 
  ²²  Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.  ²³ They wrote these things by their hand: 
“The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.  ²⁴ Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment;  ²⁵ it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,  ²⁶ men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  ²⁷ We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.  ²⁸ For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:  ²⁹ that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.” 

To solve the problem, the church at Antioch:

1. Realized that they had a problem that they could  not solve on their own.

2. Appointed delegates to meet at a neutral location.

3. When they arrived at Jerusalem, they argued their positions before the apostles of Jesus.

4. The leader of the apostles (James, the half-brother of Jesus) his resolution.

5. The apostles wrote a letter to Antioch with their instructions as to what to do.

Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Yet, beyond the facts of what occurred, there was though-out the process a willingness to seek God’s will and submit to it.

I think the world would be a better place if we all would be willing to do the same. I can’t change what others will do, but for me- I will try to imitate their ATTITUDE!!!

Bible Reading September 10, 11 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading September 10, 11

(World English Bible)

Sept. 10

Psalms 55-57

Psa 55:1 Listen to my prayer, God. Don't hide yourself from my supplication.

Psa 55:2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan,

Psa 55:3 Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring suffering on me. In anger they hold a grudge against me.

Psa 55:4 My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.

Psa 55:5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.

Psa 55:6 I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.

Psa 55:7 Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness." Selah.

Psa 55:8 "I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm."

Psa 55:9 Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

Psa 55:10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.

Psa 55:11 Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don't depart from her streets.

Psa 55:12 For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hid myself from him.

Psa 55:13 But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.

Psa 55:14 We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with company.

Psa 55:15 Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.

Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call on God. Yahweh will save me.

Psa 55:17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.

Psa 55:18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.

Psa 55:19 God, who is enthroned forever, will hear, and answer them. Selah. They never change, who don't fear God.

Psa 55:20 He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.

Psa 55:21 His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

Psa 55:22 Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

Psa 55:23 But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.

Psa 56:1 Be merciful to me, God, for man wants to swallow me up. All day long, he attacks and oppresses me.

Psa 56:2 My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me.

Psa 56:3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

Psa 56:4 In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Psa 56:5 All day long they twist my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil.

Psa 56:6 They conspire and lurk, watching my steps, they are eager to take my life.

Psa 56:7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, God.

Psa 56:8 You number my wanderings. You put my tears into your bottle. Aren't they in your book?

Psa 56:9 Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call. I know this, that God is for me.

Psa 56:10 In God, I will praise his word. In Yahweh, I will praise his word.

Psa 56:11 I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psa 56:12 Your vows are on me, God. I will give thank offerings to you.

Psa 56:13 For you have delivered my soul from death, and prevented my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

Psa 57:1 Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.

Psa 57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me.

Psa 57:3 He will send from heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. Selah. God will send out his loving kindness and his truth.

Psa 57:4 My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Psa 57:5 Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be above all the earth!

Psa 57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into its midst themselves. Selah.

Psa 57:7 My heart is steadfast, God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises.

Psa 57:8 Wake up, my glory! Wake up, psaltery and harp! I will wake up the dawn.

Psa 57:9 I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations.

Psa 57:10 For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies.

Psa 57:11 Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.

Sept. 11

Psalms 58-60

Psa 58:1 Do you indeed speak righteousness, silent ones? Do you judge blamelessly, you sons of men?

Psa 58:2 No, in your heart you plot injustice. You measure out the violence of your hands in the earth.

Psa 58:3 The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.

Psa 58:4 Their poison is like the poison of a snake; like a deaf cobra that stops its ear,

Psa 58:5 which doesn't listen to the voice of charmers, no matter how skillful the charmer may be.

Psa 58:6 Break their teeth, God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, Yahweh.

Psa 58:7 Let them vanish as water that flows away. When they draw the bow, let their arrows be made blunt.

Psa 58:8 Let them be like a snail which melts and passes away, like the stillborn child, who has not seen the sun.

Psa 58:9 Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns, he will sweep away the green and the burning alike.

Psa 58:10 The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked;

Psa 58:11 so that men shall say, "Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth."

Psa 59:1 Deliver me from my enemies, my God. Set me on high from those who rise up against me.

Psa 59:2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity. Save me from the bloodthirsty men.

Psa 59:3 For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, Yahweh.

Psa 59:4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Rise up, behold, and help me!

Psa 59:5 You, Yahweh God of Armies, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish the nations. Show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah.

Psa 59:6 They return at evening, howling like dogs, and prowl around the city.

Psa 59:7 Behold, they spew with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, "For," they say, "who hears us?"

Psa 59:8 But you, Yahweh, laugh at them. You scoff at all the nations.

Psa 59:9 Oh, my Strength, I watch for you, for God is my high tower.

Psa 59:10 My God will go before me with his loving kindness. God will let me look at my enemies in triumph.

Psa 59:11 Don't kill them, or my people may forget. Scatter them by your power, and bring them down, Lord our shield.

Psa 59:12 For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride, for the curses and lies which they utter.

Psa 59:13 Consume them in wrath. Consume them, and they will be no more. Let them know that God rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth. Selah.

Psa 59:14 At evening let them return. Let them howl like a dog, and go around the city.

Psa 59:15 They shall wander up and down for food, and wait all night if they aren't satisfied.

Psa 59:16 But I will sing of your strength. Yes, I will sing aloud of your loving kindness in the morning. For you have been my high tower, a refuge in the day of my distress.

Psa 59:17 To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.

Psa 60:1 God, you have rejected us. You have broken us down. You have been angry. Restore us, again.

Psa 60:2 You have made the land tremble. You have torn it. Mend its fractures, for it quakes.

Psa 60:3 You have shown your people hard things. You have made us drink the wine that makes us stagger.

Psa 60:4 You have given a banner to those who fear you, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

Psa 60:5 So that your beloved may be delivered, save with your right hand, and answer us.

Psa 60:6 God has spoken from his sanctuary: "I will triumph. I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.

Psa 60:7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim also is the defense of my head. Judah is my scepter.

Psa 60:8 Moab is my wash basin. I will throw my shoe on Edom. I shout in triumph over Philistia."

Psa 60:9 Who will bring me into the strong city? Who has led me to Edom?

Psa 60:10 Haven't you, God, rejected us? You don't go out with our armies, God.

Psa 60:11 Give us help against the adversary, for the help of man is vain.

Psa 60:12 Through God we shall do valiantly, for it is he who will tread down our adversaries.

Sept. 10

1 Corinthians 6

1Co 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?

1Co 6:2 Don't you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

1Co 6:3 Don't you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?

1Co 6:4 If then, you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly?

1Co 6:5 I say this to move you to shame. Isn't there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers?

1Co 6:6 But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers!

1Co 6:7 Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

1Co 6:8 No, but you yourselves do wrong, and defraud, and that against your brothers.

1Co 6:9 Or don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,

1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God.

1Co 6:11 Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.

1Co 6:12 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are expedient. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought under the power of anything.

1Co 6:13 "Foods for the belly, and the belly for foods," but God will bring to nothing both it and them. But the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

1Co 6:14 Now God raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by his power.

1Co 6:15 Don't you know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be!

1Co 6:16 Or don't you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, "The two," says he, "will become one flesh."

1Co 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.

1Co 6:18 Flee sexual immorality! "Every sin that a man does is outside the body," but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

1Co 6:19 Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own,

1Co 6:20 for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Sept. 11

1 Corinthians 7

1Co 7:1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

1Co 7:2 But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

1Co 7:3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.

1Co 7:4 The wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but the wife.

1Co 7:5 Don't deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn't tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

1Co 7:6 But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.

1Co 7:7 Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.

1Co 7:8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.

1Co 7:9 But if they don't have self-control, let them marry. For it's better to marry than to burn.

1Co 7:10 But to the married I command--not I, but the Lord--that the wife not leave her husband

1Co 7:11 (but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife.

1Co 7:12 But to the rest I--not the Lord--say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her.

1Co 7:13 The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband.

1Co 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

1Co 7:15 Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace.

1Co 7:16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

1Co 7:17 Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies.

1Co 7:18 Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.

1Co 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

1Co 7:20 Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called.

1Co 7:21 Were you called being a bondservant? Don't let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it.

1Co 7:22 For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord's free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ's bondservant.

1Co 7:23 You were bought with a price. Don't become bondservants of men.

1Co 7:24 Brothers, let each man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition with God.

1Co 7:25 Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.

1Co 7:26 I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is.

1Co 7:27 Are you bound to a wife? Don't seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don't seek a wife.

1Co 7:28 But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you.

1Co 7:29 But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none;

1Co 7:30 and those who weep, as though they didn't weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn't rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn't possess;

1Co 7:31 and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.

1Co 7:32 But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

1Co 7:33 but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife.

1Co 7:34 There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world--how she may please her husband.

1Co 7:35 This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.

1Co 7:36 But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn't sin. Let them marry.

1Co 7:37 But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own heart, to keep his own virgin, does well.

1Co 7:38 So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn't give her in marriage does better.

1Co 7:39 A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever she desires, only in the Lord.

1Co 7:40 But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God's Spirit. 

SECOND THESSALONIANS by Paul Southern

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Southern/Paul/1901/thes2.html

SECOND THESSALONIANS

1. THE TITLE
This epistle is called II Thessalonians because it is the second of two letters addressed to "the church of the Thessalonians" (1:1).

2. THE WRITER
Paul, who wrote the first Thessalonian letter, was also the writer of this one. This fact we learn from the first verse of chapter one.

3. TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING
This letter was probably written from Corinth in A.D. 53, and just a few months after the first epistle. Two things indicate this date: (1) the fact that almost the same conditions are described in each -- persecution and trial; expectation of the Lord's hasty return; idleness in view of the Lord's speedy return; disorderly conduct; (2) the fact that Silas and Timothy were with Paul at the time each letter was written (I Thessalonians 1:1; II Thessalonians 1:1).

4. THE EPISTLE
For information concerning Thessalonica and the establishment of the church there, the student is referred to the section on I Thessalonians. The reasons for writing this second letter are apparent. The chief object was to correct an erroneous idea among the Thessalonians that the Lord would return soon and bring the world to an end. In the first letter, Paul tried to comfort them concerning their Christian dead. His effort did more than he intended. They expected Christ to return during their lifetime, hence many quit their secular work and were just waiting in idleness for His coming (II Thessalonians 3:6-13). The second letter attempts to correct these errors, and to warn the church concerning false teachers who tampered with Paul's authority. This is the shortest letter written by Paul to any church. The general theme is patient waiting for the Lord. There is a lack of special greetings. The epistle has been called a letter of warning.


5. EXERCISES FOR STUDENT ACTIVITY


1. Question
1. Name the things commendable in the church (1:3,4).
2. What will become of those who obey not the gospel? (1:5-10).
3. Compare the introduction with that of I Thessalonians (1:1,2).
4. Tell of the moral disorders in the church (3:6-11).
5. How are we to deal with the disorderly? (3:6,14,15).
6. What advice does Paul give about idlers? (3:12).
7. What indicates Paul's name had been forged? (2:1,2,15; 3:17).
8. What will precede the Lord's second coming (2:3).
9. Who is the man of sin? (2:4-12).
10. When will the man of sin be destroyed? (2:8).
11. How are people called to be Christians? (2:13-15).
12. How did Paul conduct himself while in Thessalonica? (3:7-9).
13. In his request for prayer, what does Paul ask? (3:1-5).
14. What happens when one refuses to believe the truth? (2:10,11).


2. Complete the following quotations:
1. "If any would not _______________, neither should he _______________."
2. "Yet count him not as an _______________, but admonish him as a _______________."
3. "_______________yourselves from every brother that walketh _______________."
4. "And for this cause God shall send them a strong _______________."
5. "For we behaved not ourselves_______________ among you."
6. "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a _______________ away first, and that _______________ of sin be revealed, the son of _______________."


3. Topics for further study
1. Using the Thessalonian letters as a source, write a brief paper on the second coming of Christ.
2. Discuss the judgment of the wicked as set forth in II Thessalonians.
3. What does the epistle teach concerning labor relations and economic conditions?
4. Give evidences that the Thessalonians had misunderstood Paul's teaching regarding Christ's second coming.
5. What attitude should the church have toward a brother that is withdrawn from?

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

The tragedy of human history by Jim McGuiggan

https://web.archive.org/web/20160424085834/http://jimmcguiggan.com/beginners2.asp?id=53

The tragedy of human history

Donald G Miller cut to the chase when he said, "The story of human history is the story of broken relationships. The tragedy of this, however, cannot be fully understood until it is seen in the light of what history was intended to be. The purpose of history has been sidetracked." "Sidetracked" isn't quite the word, I would have thought of; humanly speaking, "derailed" maybe.

What history was intended to be was the rise and the rise of holy, happy humans, brimful of life and reflecting the image of their Holy God in their fellowship and exercise of dominion in and over the creation (Genesis 1:26-28). These happy holy mortals were meant to rise and rise under God to become happy holy immortals—for all the complexities and difficult issues involved, Colossians 1:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 speak to this.

And it's only in light of what we were meant to be that the full tragedy of what we became and are is seen.

In the man, Jesus of Nazareth, who is God being a man, we got an opportunity to see what we were and are meant to be. He is the new and last Adam, the founder of a new humanity who in his own personal and life brought into human history what had not been there before—a complete and lifelong holy devotion of a child to a Holy Father. In him "the world" (sinful corruption so organised as to overwhelm the human family) was met, confronted and soundly thrashed—more than thrashed, in his experience, utterly dismantled. Every phase of it came tumbling down in wreck and ruin, even death, which he killed in his glorious resurrection.

It is the business of the NT elect, which is the "body of Christ" to keep Jesus before the eyes of the chaotic world by telling the Story, pursuing his purposes, having his mind and imaging his understanding of dominion. The gospels, each in their own way, show us what that means when it is lived out in the life of Jesus. If Christians are to live out the Story it's important that they get to know the Story.

United in the Faith We Shall Stand by Alfred Shannon Jr.

https://biblicalproof.wordpress.com/2011/05/page/3/

United in the Faith We Shall  Stand

We can all be wrong, but we all can’t be right when we all believe differently. It is high time that the body of Christ be unified in one gospel, in one doctrine, and in one common salvation. It is time we all look at the scriptures, and see that the way, the truth, and the life are not divided. There is only One Church, One Faith, One Baptism, and One head, the man Christ Jesus.  Our time is too short, the risk is too great, and the cost was too high for us to delay the unity of the church Christ built. United in the Faith we shall stand, divided by error we shall fall.  Come let us reason together, and be One in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jn 14:6; Eph 4:4-6; 1 Tim 2:5; Jude 3; Mk 3:25; Eph 4:13; Ps 133:1

Things that Sabotage our Success – Part 2 – A Rut by Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=1017

Things that Sabotage our Success Part 2 – A Rut

Things that Sabotage our Success – Part 2 – A Rut

Read:  1 Samuel 17:1-11 & 16   “Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Socoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Socoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet[a] tall. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels[b]; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.[c] His shield bearer went ahead of him.

8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.”

Last week I began a new series of lessons called, Things that Sabotage our Success.   I made mention of the fact that all too often we come up with some great ideas, maybe things we would like to do or accomplish, or maybe even something we would like to acquire. And whether it be a New Year’s resolution or a life time goal, too many times there are those things that sabotage or short circuit our success in achieving these goals.  In part one, I talked about something that hampers many of us, and that is our own stinkin thinkin.  It’s when we don’t think we can do something, that we are not good enough, or don’t deserve something better than what we already have.

In that lesson I tried to remind you that God designed you and me in His own image, to be creative, to imagine greater things, and He also enabled us to accomplish truly amazing things, especially with His help.

This week I would like to talk about something else that can sabotages and short circuit our amazing God given potential; and that is our own ruts.

Most of you know what I am talking about when I refer to us getting in a rut. It’s when we do the same thing, the same way over and over again; it’s the habits or routines we create for our self.  We get up the same time, go to work the same time, eat breakfast the same time, eat the same thing for breakfast, etc.   I suppose some routines or ruts are ok because they provide us with some degree of order for our life. But sometimes if these ruts are too deep too rigid they can become counterproductive. For example we can become so comfortable with our routine and the way we do things that when something happens to interrupt that routine or rut, or when someone suggests we do something different or better, we get stressed out or even upset.

In our Bible story, Saul is the King of Israel, as a matter of fact he is the first king of Israel. And there was an ongoing goal to purge the land of the pagan enemy nations that still were present in the land that God promised Abraham’s descendants.  In this story we see two armies face off in Judah. Saul and the Israelites occupied one hill and the Philistines occupied another with a valley between them.

And rather than Saul enquiring of the Lord as to what they should do and then charging into the Philistines and dealing with them, the two armies basically

set up camp. Each day Goliath would come down into the valley, and he would taunt the Israelites and then insult defy the army of God. No one would go out to meet him on the field of battle because they were afraid. Goliath did this day after day. One week turned into two, and this continued on for forty days and nothing happened. (Imagine some of the excuse they came up with)

Personally I think that this routine had dug itself into a rut. The Israelite and Philistine armies had become comfortable with just having ol’ Goliath go through his daily routine as they just sat back safe and secure in camp.

But then David came along, and quite frankly I think he could not quite believe what was going on… even as young as he was.

After David’s saw this big oaf and heard what Goliath said, he was really upset and indignant. David’s strong words were reported to the king, and then in vs. 32, David tells Saul, “Let no one loose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

Of course they all thought he was a bit of a fool, but Saul ok, and tried to offer David his armor but David even turned that down.

Then in verses 40-51, we read what happens next. (READ) “40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.

When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.”

Ruts can hamper us and truly become debilitating in so many ways:

– We get comfortable and don’t want to try anything new because it’s not  the way we have been doing things.

– Sometime we ignore other’s good advice. New suggestions and ideas may include changing what we are comfortable doing.  We may hinder the very thing we are trying to do because we are stubborn and don’t want to change.

– Our ruts can in many ways bind us and cause us to become ineffective as time goes on. Others will advance ahead of us because we’re not willing to change.

– Being in a rut many times will cause you to be irritable and hard to get along with because you are stubborn and don’t want to listen to good advice.

– I read somewhere; the worst thing about being in a rut is that if you don’t find a way to get out of it, a rut will turn into a rot!In other words, a rut… unless you find an escape from it, will rob you of joy and life, and leave you in a dead and rotting place.

– Someone once said, “Change is always hard for the man who is in a rut. For he has scaled down to living his live to that which he can handle comfortably, and welcomes no change or challenge that would lift him.”

No areas of our life are safe from potential mundane routines and ruts. Our marriage, how we handle our finances, how we conduct warfare (like Saul and his men),  our jobs, how you conduct your business,  how you entertain yourself.  We can even get into a spiritual rut.

TRADE COMPLACENT FOR VISION
The Bible reminds us that where there is no vision the people will perish. (Proverb 29:18)  Living without any vision and  hope, end up being a devastating existence. When we have nothing to look forward to, no new ideas, no new goals, or when we think things will never get any better, we get discouraged and depressed. We need goals and a vision for the future in our individual lives and in our church. It is necessary for one’s mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health.

We need to have a vision and goals. Life looses it’s joy and luster when we cling to the same old routines day after day, week after week, year after year. We get complacent in our secular and spiritual lives. When we see that this happening, or if someone makes us aware of this, we need to make some changes. Complacency comes from living in ruts. Goals, creative ideas, and vision happen when we get out of those ruts.

Oscar Wilde said, “Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.”

The point is there are things that we can do that help you get out of that rut and start enjoying life again. Here are a few more suggestions I read:

–          Take some classes, learn something new

–          Go on a weekend get away

–          Get up an hour earlier and take a stroll around your neighborhood or learn a new language.

–          Change your personal appearance a little

–          Challenge yourself to do something outside your comfort zone … take a risk

–          Read something that will inspire you – buy some good spiritual music

–          Watch 50 % less TV and do something different, learn a craft, learn to play and instrument

–          Invite someone different over to your home for a meal every month

–          Try to make a new friend once a month

–          Give back by volunteering

–          Pray at a different time of day – Pray with a friend

–          The way to create some movement in your life is to try something new and experiment a bit. You may find things that you don’t like, but you’ll also uncover a few pleasant surprises.

–          What did you once enjoy as a child or young adult? Was cooking your thing? Take a culinary class. Was it going hiking, fishing, camping, sledding or skiing, find a friend or some kids and make some time to do those things. Did you like to draw or paint, pick up a pen or brush and have fun instead of watching TV.  Did you like having stories read to you? Go to the library and get some books on CDs and listen to them in your car or at home.   Just thinking about the fun you had in your younger days will help you plug into your innate creativity and get you thinking about what might excite you now.

–          Open yourself up to advice, feedback, and support. You are never too old to learn a new way to do things.

My dad was in my opinion a successful businessman even though he had little formal education. He was always reading, and trying to learn more. It kept his passion for business alive and up to date. He would visit and make friends with others who were in the same kind of business. And do you want to know what happened, he developed new and bigger ideas. He experimented and took chances and expanded. He use to say, “A business is either going to go up or down, don’t ever expect to just stay the same.”

So break out of your ruts. Experiment, try something new and you will keep your mind fresh and feeling alive, and you will probably have a better chance of getting what you want or achieving your goal. You may even discover something better.

If you keep doing things that exact way you have been doing them don’t expect your life to change a whole lot.  Don’t let that comfortable little routine you have hamper your dream or a goal because you are nervous about doing something different. Step out on faith, and ask God to lead you. And you may take on a giant and reap the reward.

Not a soldier on the field expected David to have a chance against a warrior like Goliath. But David stepped out on faith and trusted in the Lord, and did something different that no one expected with a simple stone and sling..

My challenge for you today is the same.. trust in your God given ability, walk with faith in Jesus and put Jesus and serving Him first in your life… and then watch and see what happens!

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566