March 1, 2019

Happy by Gary Rose


Today, the sun is shining, the humidity is low and the temperature is in the lower 70’s (so far). What a beautiful day! Today, it would be hard NOT TO BE HAPPY. When I saw this picture it reinforced my “happy” thought. Naturally, my mind gravitated to the “sermon on the mount” and to the beatitudes. Now, most translations, use the word “blessed”, which has at it core the meaning of “Oh, the blessed state of the one”. To me, this means HAPPY. So, I thought I would present three versions which actually use the word…


Matthew 5 (Young’s Literal Translation)
 1 And having seen the multitudes, he went up to the mount, and he having sat down, his disciples came to him,  2 and having opened his mouth, he was teaching them, saying:
  3 `Happy the poor in spirit--because theirs is the reign of the heavens.  4 `Happy the mourning--because they shall be comforted.  5 `Happy the meek--because they shall inherit the land.  6 `Happy those hungering and thirsting for righteousness--because they shall be filled.  7 `Happy the kind--because they shall find kindness.  8 `Happy the clean in heart--because they shall see God.  9 `Happy the peacemakers--because they shall be called Sons of God.  10 `Happy those persecuted for righteousness' sake--because theirs is the reign of the heavens.  11 `Happy are ye whenever they may reproach you, and may persecute, and may say any evil thing against you falsely for my sake--  12 rejoice ye and be glad, because your reward is great in the heavens, for thus did they persecute the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5 (Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible)
 1 But, seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain,—and, when he had taken a seat, his disciples came unto him;  2 and, opening his mouth, he began teaching them, saying:—
  
3 
Happy, the destitute, in spirit; for, theirs, is the kingdom of the heavens;  4 Happy, they who mourn; for, they, shall be comforted:  5 Happy, the meek; for, they, shall inherit the earth:  6 Happy, they who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for, they, shall be filled:  7 Happy, the merciful; for, they, shall receive mercy:  8 Happy, the pure, in heart; for, they, shall, see God:  9 Happy, the peacemakers; for, they, shall be, called sons of God: 10 Happy, they who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for, theirs, is the kingdom of the heavens.  11 Happy, are ye, whensoever they may reproach you and persecute you, and say every evil thing against you, falsely, for my sake:  12 Rejoice and exult, because, your reward, is great in the heavens; for, so, persecuted they the prophets who were before you. 

Matthew 5 (Living Oracles New Testament by Hugo McCord)
 1 Jesus, seeing so great a confluence, repaired to a mountain, and having sat down, his disciples came to him.  2 Then breaking silence, he taught them, saying:
  
3 Happy the poor who repine not; for the kingdom of heaven is theirs!  4 Happy they who mourn; for they shall receive consolation!  5 Happy the meek; for they shall inherit the land!  6 Happy they who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for they shall be satisfied!  7 Happy the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy!  8 Happy the pure in heart; for they shall see God!  9 Happy the peace-makers; for they shall be called sons of God!  10 Happy they who suffer persecution on account of righteousness; for the kingdom of heaven is theirs!  11 Happy shall you be, when men shall revile and persecute you; and, on my account, accuse you falsely of every evil thing!  12 Rejoice and exult, for great is your reward in heaven; for thus the Prophets were persecuted, who were before you.


It is easy to be happy when everything around you is pleasant, but when you encounter difficulties, rely on God to be “happy”. Outwardly, you may not be as happy as the elephant, but inwardly you will be showered with God’s blessing.


May God give you the happiness which only HE can supply and may you be blessed!

Bible Reading March 1-3 by Gary Rose


Bible Reading  March 1-3

World  English Bible

Mar.1
Exodus 11

Exo 11:1 Yahweh said to Moses, "Yet one plague more will I bring on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will surely thrust you out altogether.
Exo 11:2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let them ask every man of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold."
Exo 11:3 Yahweh gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people.
Exo 11:4 Moses said, "This is what Yahweh says: 'About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt,
Exo 11:5 and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of livestock.
Exo 11:6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been, nor shall be any more.
Exo 11:7 But against any of the children of Israel a dog won't even bark or move its tongue, against man or animal; that you may know that Yahweh makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel.
Exo 11:8 All these your servants shall come down to me, and bow down themselves to me, saying, "Get out, with all the people who follow you;" and after that I will go out.' " He went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.
Exo 11:9 Yahweh said to Moses, "Pharaoh won't listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt."
Exo 11:10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, and Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he didn't let the children of Israel go out of his land.

Mar. 2
Exodus 12

Exo 12:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
Exo 12:2 "This month shall be to you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you.
Exo 12:3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, 'On the tenth day of this month, they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household;
Exo 12:4 and if the household is too little for a lamb, then he and his neighbor next to his house shall take one according to the number of the souls; according to what everyone can eat you shall make your count for the lamb.
Exo 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep, or from the goats:
Exo 12:6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at evening.
Exo 12:7 They shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they shall eat it.
Exo 12:8 They shall eat the flesh in that night, roasted with fire, and unleavened bread. They shall eat it with bitter herbs.
Exo 12:9 Don't eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted with fire; with its head, its legs and its inner parts.
Exo 12:10 You shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; but that which remains of it until the morning you shall burn with fire.
Exo 12:11 This is how you shall eat it: with your waist girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste: it is Yahweh's Passover.
Exo 12:12 For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am Yahweh.
Exo 12:13 The blood shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and there shall no plague be on you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.
Exo 12:14 This day shall be to you for a memorial, and you shall keep it a feast to Yahweh: throughout your generations you shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever.
Exo 12:15 " 'Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away yeast out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
Exo 12:16 In the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the seventh day a holy convocation; no manner of work shall be done in them, except that which every man must eat, that only may be done by you.
Exo 12:17 You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this same day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations by an ordinance forever.
Exo 12:18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty first day of the month at evening.
Exo 12:19 Seven days shall there be no yeast found in your houses, for whoever eats that which is leavened, that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a foreigner, or one who is born in the land.
Exo 12:20 You shall eat nothing leavened. In all your habitations you shall eat unleavened bread.' "
Exo 12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, "Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover.
Exo 12:22 You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning.
Exo 12:23 For Yahweh will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two doorposts, Yahweh will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you.
Exo 12:24 You shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever.
Exo 12:25 It shall happen when you have come to the land which Yahweh will give you, according as he has promised, that you shall keep this service.
Exo 12:26 It will happen, when your children ask you, 'What do you mean by this service?'
Exo 12:27 that you shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of Yahweh's Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses.' " The people bowed their heads and worshiped.
Exo 12:28 The children of Israel went and did so; as Yahweh had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
Exo 12:29 It happened at midnight, that Yahweh struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of livestock.
Exo 12:30 Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
Exo 12:31 He called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, "Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel; and go, serve Yahweh, as you have said!
Exo 12:32 Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also!"
Exo 12:33 The Egyptians were urgent with the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, "We are all dead men."
Exo 12:34 The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.
Exo 12:35 The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing.
Exo 12:36 Yahweh gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They despoiled the Egyptians.
Exo 12:37 The children of Israel traveled from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot who were men, besides children.
Exo 12:38 A mixed multitude went up also with them, with flocks, herds, and even very much livestock.
Exo 12:39 They baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt; for it wasn't leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and couldn't wait, neither had they prepared for themselves any food.
Exo 12:40 Now the time that the children of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years.
Exo 12:41 It happened at the end of four hundred thirty years, even the same day it happened, that all the armies of Yahweh went out from the land of Egypt.
Exo 12:42 It is a night to be much observed to Yahweh for bringing them out from the land of Egypt. This is that night of Yahweh, to be much observed of all the children of Israel throughout their generations.
Exo 12:43 Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the ordinance of the Passover. There shall no foreigner eat of it,
Exo 12:44 but every man's servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then shall he eat of it.
Exo 12:45 A foreigner and a hired servant shall not eat of it.
Exo 12:46 In one house shall it be eaten; you shall not carry forth anything of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall you break a bone of it.
Exo 12:47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
Exo 12:48 When a stranger shall live as a foreigner with you, and will keep the Passover to Yahweh, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one who is born in the land: but no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.
Exo 12:49 One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you."
Exo 12:50 All the children of Israel did so. As Yahweh commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
Exo 12:51 It happened the same day, that Yahweh brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

Mar. 3
Exodus 13

Exo 13:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Exo 13:2 "Sanctify to me all of the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is mine."
Exo 13:3 Moses said to the people, "Remember this day, in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand Yahweh brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten.
Exo 13:4 This day you go forth in the month Abib.
Exo 13:5 It shall be, when Yahweh shall bring you into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month.
Exo 13:6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Yahweh.
Exo 13:7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and no leavened bread shall be seen with you, neither shall there be yeast seen with you, in all your borders.
Exo 13:8 You shall tell your son in that day, saying, 'It is because of that which Yahweh did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.'
Exo 13:9 It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the law of Yahweh may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand Yahweh has brought you out of Egypt.
Exo 13:10 You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.
Exo 13:11 "It shall be, when Yahweh shall bring you into the land of the Canaanite, as he swore to you and to your fathers, and shall give it you,
Exo 13:12 that you shall set apart to Yahweh all that opens the womb, and every firstborn which you have that comes from an animal. The males shall be Yahweh's.
Exo 13:13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and you shall redeem all the firstborn of man among your sons.
Exo 13:14 It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' that you shall tell him, 'By strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage;
Exo 13:15 and it happened, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that Yahweh killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of animal. Therefore I sacrifice to Yahweh all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.'
Exo 13:16 It shall be for a sign on your hand, and for symbols between your eyes: for by strength of hand Yahweh brought us forth out of Egypt."
Exo 13:17 It happened, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God didn't lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt;"
Exo 13:18 but God led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt.
Exo 13:19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the children of Israel swear, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you."
Exo 13:20 They took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
Exo 13:21 Yahweh went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, that they might go by day and by night:

Exo 13:22 the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, didn't depart from before the people.

Mar.1, 2
Mark 3

Mar 3:1 He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered.
Mar 3:2 They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him.
Mar 3:3 He said to the man who had his hand withered, "Stand up."
Mar 3:4 He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?" But they were silent.
Mar 3:5 When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.
Mar 3:6 The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
Mar 3:7 Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples, and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea,
Mar 3:8 from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came to him.
Mar 3:9 He spoke to his disciples that a little boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they wouldn't press on him.
Mar 3:10 For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him.
Mar 3:11 The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, "You are the Son of God!"
Mar 3:12 He sternly warned them that they should not make him known.
Mar 3:13 He went up into the mountain, and called to himself those whom he wanted, and they went to him.
Mar 3:14 He appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach,
Mar 3:15 and to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:
Mar 3:16 Simon, to whom he gave the name Peter;
Mar 3:17 James the son of Zebedee; John, the brother of James, and he surnamed them Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder;
Mar 3:18 Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot;
Mar 3:19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. He came into a house.
Mar 3:20 The multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
Mar 3:21 When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him: for they said, "He is insane."
Mar 3:22 The scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul," and, "By the prince of the demons he casts out the demons."
Mar 3:23 He summoned them, and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan?
Mar 3:24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Mar 3:25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
Mar 3:26 If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can't stand, but has an end.
Mar 3:27 But no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder, unless he first binds the strong man; and then he will plunder his house.
Mar 3:28 Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme;
Mar 3:29 but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"
Mar 3:30 -because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."
Mar 3:31 His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to him, calling him.
Mar 3:32 A multitude was sitting around him, and they told him, "Behold, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are outside looking for you."
Mar 3:33 He answered them, "Who are my mother and my brothers?"
Mar 3:34 Looking around at those who sat around him, he said, "Behold, my mother and my brothers!
Mar 3:35 For whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."

Mar. 3
Mark 4

Mar 4:1 Again he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea, and sat down. All the multitude were on the land by the sea.
Mar 4:2 He taught them many things in parables, and told them in his teaching,
Mar 4:3 "Listen! Behold, the farmer went out to sow,
Mar 4:4 and it happened, as he sowed, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and devoured it.
Mar 4:5 Others fell on the rocky ground, where it had little soil, and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of soil.
Mar 4:6 When the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
Mar 4:7 Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
Mar 4:8 Others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. Some brought forth thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times as much."
Mar 4:9 He said, "Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear."
Mar 4:10 When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.
Mar 4:11 He said to them, "To you is given the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables,
Mar 4:12 that 'seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.' "
Mar 4:13 He said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How will you understand all of the parables?
Mar 4:14 The farmer sows the word.
Mar 4:15 The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which has been sown in them.
Mar 4:16 These in like manner are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy.
Mar 4:17 They have no root in themselves, but are short-lived. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble.
Mar 4:18 Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word,
Mar 4:19 and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Mar 4:20 Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times."
Mar 4:21 He said to them, "Is the lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn't it put on a stand?
Mar 4:22 For there is nothing hidden, except that it should be made known; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light.
Mar 4:23 If any man has ears to hear, let him hear."
Mar 4:24 He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear.
Mar 4:25 For whoever has, to him will more be given, and he who doesn't have, even that which he has will be taken away from him."
Mar 4:26 He said, "The Kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed on the earth,
Mar 4:27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he doesn't know how.
Mar 4:28 For the earth bears fruit: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
Mar 4:29 But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts forth the sickle, because the harvest has come."
Mar 4:30 He said, "How will we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what parable will we illustrate it?
Mar 4:31 It's like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth,
Mar 4:32 yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow."
Mar 4:33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.
Mar 4:34 Without a parable he didn't speak to them; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.
Mar 4:35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let's go over to the other side."
Mar 4:36 Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him.
Mar 4:37 A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled.
Mar 4:38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him up, and told him, "Teacher, don't you care that we are dying?"
Mar 4:39 He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mar 4:40 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?"
Mar 4:41 They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

Sealed by the Spirit by T. Pierce Brown

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Brown/T/Pierce/1923/sealed.html

Sealed by the Spirit

In 2 Cor. 1:21-22, we read, "Now he that established us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." In Eph. 1:13-14, we read, "in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, -- in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of his glory." Ephesians 4:30 says, "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption."
Calvinistic theologians take these passages to mean that one who has ever believed in the Lord is at that moment granted salvation from sin and its punishment, and that salvation is secured so that there is no possibility of it being lost, for he is "sealed and secured" by God and given a pledge that he can never be lost. It is often styled "eternal security of the believer," or "impossibility of apostasy."
We would have no argument with the idea of the eternal security of the believer if those who use the terms would use them as God does. That is, a "believer" is a faithful child of God who is "walking in the light, as He is in the light (1 Jn. 1:7), a sheep in the fold of Christ who is "hearing the voice of Jesus and following Him" (John 10:27-28). We contend that all the powers of evil on earth or in hell cannot cause a person to be lost who is following the voice of Jesus and doing His will. He has "eternal security." The questions, however, are: May a person who is a believer ever fall away from the faith or cease to be a believer? May a person's love for Christ grow cold? (Mt. 24:12). A person who was a 'goat' ceased to be a goat and became a sheep. May a person cease to be a sheep, and leave the fold? When we consider all the Bible warnings, we know that he can. So, in order to better understand the idea of being "sealed" and having an "earnest of the Spirit," let us examine those terms and see their meaning more completely.
There is little doubt that the term "earnest," from the Greek "arrabon" originally referred to what we call "earnest money" deposited by a purchaser as a down payment, and to be forfeited if the purchase was not complete, or the agreement broken. In the New Testament it is suggested that the Holy Spirit is given to a Christian as a divine pledge or down payment on the future blessings that God has in store for us.
Surely every Christian is at least dimly aware that every spiritual blessing he now has in Christ is but a foretaste, a sort of "down payment," of the life and blessings God has reserved in heaven for us "who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation reserved in heaven for us, ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Pet. 1:4-5). Note that we are kept by the power of God, but it is through faith. The basic question with which we are dealing is, "Once the earnest money was given, did it necessarily follow that the thing purchased was unconditionally guaranteed?" The answer should be apparent whether one looks at any purchase today, or how the term applied in either the Old Testament or the New. There were and are terms of any contract, will or covenant. If one party does not abide by the terms, the earnest money that was put down is forfeit. Anyone who ever put up "earnest money" to buy a house may have discovered that.
1 John 3:23-24 is one among many passages that teach that abiding in Christ is dependent upon keeping His commandments. If we grieve the Spirit (Eph. 4:30, quench the Spirit (1 Thes. 5:19), do despite to the Spirit (Heb. 10:29), then we may break the contract or the relationship that existed when the earnest was given. 
Now let us examine briefly what is meant by the "seal." The noun "sphragio" and the verb, "sphragizo" are used in various ways to indicate ownership, security, authentication, etc., in a way that is very similar to how we use the word "seal" in the English language. We seal a letter by moistening the glue. A notary puts his seal on a document to attest to the fact that the party or parties involved actually gave the testimony indicated, or that the signatures are valid. When the tomb of Jesus was sealed (Mt. 27:66), it was for the purpose of fixing it so the body could not easily be removed. It was not meant to be broken, but note carefully that although it was not meant to be broken, it was. When we seal a letter, it is not meant to be opened before it gets to its destination, but it can be. When a notary puts his seal on an agreement, the agreement is not supposed to be broken, but it can be. 
When God gives the Holy Spirit to His children as an authentication that He has bought us, and we belong to Him, that seals an agreement that we have made with Him that we accept the authority of Jesus as Lord, and belong to Him forever. That in no way implies that we cannot break that agreement, and be unfaithful. When Abraham received "the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of faith which he had" (Rom. 4:11) God was attesting to the fact that Abraham and his descendants who kept the ritual properly, and obeyed the law would be His special people. It did NOT signify that they could not break His covenant, be disobedient and be cut off from the blessings promised. Surely no person who reads the history of Israel could logically conclude otherwise.
To summarize: God has put His "stamp of approval" (seal) on us as His children by giving us His Spirit (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16). If we demonstrate that we are His by producing the fruit of the Spirit, then this seal shows that we are owned by Him and are under His protection and authority. We may fail to do that, "break the seal" and be lost. Even in the context of Ephesians 4:30-32 when Paul says we are sealed unto the day of redemption, he warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit, and to be kind and forgiving. Jesus said that God will not forgive us if we do not forgive others (Mt. 6:14-18). So we must conclude that though He has sealed us with the Spirit, and the Lord knows who are His (2 Tim. 2:19), if we do not depart from unrighteousness we will be lost, or as we might put it, the seal will be broken.
The Holy Spirit is both an earnest (a foretaste of what God has in store for us) and a seal, but those terms do not refer to the same function or purpose, for the Holy Spirit as a seal is showing that we belong to Him and are under His authority and care, and the Holy Spirit as an earnest is to give us an idea of what we shall have as a result of belonging to Him.
T. Pierce Brown

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

What You Are: (Part 1) SALT By: Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=1521

What You Are: (Part 1) SALT


By: Ben Fronczek
Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said:        
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Have you ever honestly thought about how you come across to others?
More than likely, everybody that comes in contact with you will see you differently. Some will like what they see in you and your personality, and you will probably irritate others to different degrees. Some won’t even want to be in your presence.
But you know, I’ve learned as I’m sure you have, that you can’t please everybody, and really that’s not what our life should be all about. Rather, the most important thing should be our desire to please God. Because when it’s all said and done, how God looks at us is what really matters in the end.
In the Sermon on the MT. Jesus talked about how to be truly blessed and find real happiness. No it’s not about how much you have in the bank or how big your house is, or even how much we own; those things don’t bless our soul or provide lasting happiness or contentment deep down in our spirit.
Rather Jesus said that we will have a blessed life and find real contentment if we change some of our attitudes, and priorities.
– He said we will be more happy and blessed if we become humble, if we are poor in spirit. Why? Because we become teachable, sensitive, and more adaptable, rather than being a hard headed know it all.
– He also said that we will be happier if we are of the disposition to mourn or grieve, especially when we sin or do what isn’t right, because that’s the first step in being comforted.
– He also said we will be happier if we have a gentle or meek disposition rather that than one that is harsh, or mean.
– Next He said that we will be happier or blessed if we hunger and thirst after doing what is good and right, especially if it is pleasing to God.
– He said we will be happier, even blessed if we willing to show mercy to others rather that vengeance.
– Life will also be blessed if we choose to become pure in heart.
– And, doing our best to be a peace maker will also bless our lives and help us to find real happiness. In doing so we will be recognize as God sons and daughters.
– Even persecution for doing what is right, persecution for trying to be a good Christian will provide a blessing and give us more joy than distress; because in our gut we know we are doing what’s right and in God’s eyes. In doing so, you will be like the prophets of old, even like Jesus Himself who was persecuted because they were good and trying to do what was right in God’s sight.
And so this leads me back to my original question; how do you think you come across to others? Because if you are truly attempting to be a good Christian, the more you apply these Be-attitudes the more your life will have an impact on others.
I would like to begin a new series of lessons called, WHAT YOU ARE.  I’d like to talk about what we are called or referred to as Christians in the Bible. In doing so I hope it will open your eyes as to how important you are and maybe I can help you become more aware of the role and responsibilities that may be laid out for you and me as we live out our life as a Christian.
Here in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has a lot of important things to say, including how blessed it will be if we have the right attitude and how we can be have a tremendous impact on others. Listen to what Jesus has to say next in Matthew, verses 5:13-16.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”  
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Jesus is letting us know that if we choose to try to live this blessed life that He has been talking about, then by nature we are going to be like salt and light in this world, in our communities, even in our own households.
So first of all we are called or referred to as Salt.
Salt is an interesting mineral. I’m told that one of the saltiest products on the McDonald’s menu is not the fries, but the milk shakes because salt makes a sweet thing taste sweeter.
How important is salt? Here are just a few fun facts about salt:
– 200 million tons are required each year to fill our needs. (That’s like 13.4 million Dump trucks full fo salt)
– In ancient Greece, the exchange of salt for slaves gave rise to the expression, “…not worth his salt.”
– Special salt rations were given to Roman soldiers which were known as “Solarium Argentums” the forerunner of the English word “Salary.”
– The word salad literally means “salted”, and comes from the ancient Roman practice of salting leaf vegetables.                                                                            
– Thousands of Napoleon’s troops died during his retreat from Moscow because their wounds would not heal from lack of salt.
– The human body contains about 240 g or 4oz. of salt. Our body doesn’t store it like sugar, therefore we need a constant supply of it in small doses  (3 to 5 g/day) to remain healthy. Without enough of it, our nervous system will not work properly, muscles won’t contract, blood won’t circulate, food won’t digest and the heart won’t beat. Salt helps regulate a proper balance of water in our body. Without a doubt, salt is important for life.
Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth…”
Some uses of Salt In Bible times salt was gathered in Palestine from along the seashore or inland lakes.
1. IT WAS USED AS SEASONING: In Bible times and still today, salt is used for seasoning our food. Salt seems to enhance or bring out the flavor of what we are eating. Even though small amount of it is hardly noticeable to the eye it makes a difference when applied. In the Bible, Salt was also used to flavor the offerings and sacrifices (Lev. 2:13, Ez.43:24)
2. Preservative: For thousands of years it has been used to preserve food. They did not have the refrigeration systems that we have today and so meat and fish were salted and dried to preserve them. You can also pickle vegetables with salt. Salt was also used in Egypt in the process of mummifying their rulers.
3. Salt has healing properties Salt water helps to kill bacteria and prevent infection. From saline solution to clean out eyes and flush sinuses, salt has been used in many ways to heal and give comfort to the body. But in a bad wound salt can sting or burn as it goes to work healing.
4. It was also used as Symbol of Friendship: Salt was seen as a covenant relationship. In Numbers 18:19 Moses wrote, “It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord with you and your descendants with you.”      So salt also represented a relationship of trust.
5. Salt was so valued it was also used as currency and for trade.
In some places and at different times salt was traded ounce for ounce for gold because it was so precious and important.
So what did Jesus mean by this statement, that we are salt?            
I believe it refers to the silent workings of a Christian in the lives of others as come in contact with them. It is the influence we should have on others; to season, sweeten, and preserve and promote healing for eternal life.
Christ is saying let your influence season the life of others for the kingdom. Salt changes things. A wholesome Christian life should influence or change the lives of others on a spiritual level.
But like someone has said, “Salt is no good if it never leaves the salt shaker, it is only a decoration on the kitchen table.”
– We deny the function of the salt when we fail to be salt and get out there and act like a Christian by being kind, merciful, and like a peacemaker.
– We deny the salt function when we fail to mingle with people that are lost with the purpose in mind to have a positive effect on them.
And by not doing this or acting like we should we deny what Jesus expects of us. As Christians we are not to draw away from society, but rather season it. We are no longer of the world, but we live in it. And if we as Salt don’t rub against those who have no flavor, or those who have wounds of sin, and are perishing, who will?
 One of the interesting things about salt is that when it’s used, it loses itself, it disappears. You don’t see salt in your food because after it makes its contribution it disappears. When it is used in various chemical processes, it dissipates after fulfilling its purpose. Salt used on a icy highways makes winter travel safe as it disappears.
In the same way, being a salty Christian, or in being the salt of the earth, one should not hesitate to give of themselves without the need to be seen.
Jesus said, “You are the salt” He didn’t say, ‘You might be, you ought to be.’ No, you are the salt! We are either the salty or not. And if we aren’t He goes on to say that we are no longer good for anything and should be thrown out.
Today I’m here to remind you that you are Salt!
Whether you want to or not, you have an effect on others.
– You can be the one helping to heal, or the one hurting others.
– You can either build others up, or tear them down.
– You can either encourage, or discourage.
– You can either helps someone, or hinder them from moving forward.
– You can either impress them by Christ-like behavior, or repulse them by your selfish behavior and discredit Christianity and the church by doing so.
I’m sure by now you getting the idea!
So what do you think, what kind of effect are you having on others?      Rather than making you feel guilty about what you have done in the past,     I want to encourage you with the reality that the past is the past but the future holds many new opportunities to be salt in the lives of others.
As we take on the character of salt, one of two things is going to happen as you interact with others:
(1) Our conduct will help to melt cold hearts of others, and like with some foods, our salt may enhance them, maybe even make them sweeter, or
(2) Like salt in an open wound, that can sting, you may even cause some pain. Maybe you are feeling that sting from God’s word today. And Rather than melting and seasoning someone’s heart, some may get up-set and turn on you. Jesus lets us know that they may even persecute you.
But remember, if they mock us because of our Godly behavior, they mock the things of God. In truth they are rejecting Him.
So my encouragement this day is to act as Jesus would have you act, and may your influence be like salt.
For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566
All comments can be emailed to: bfronzek@gmail.com