From Gary... Without rain...

It rained yesterday and its raining today and is going to rain tomorrow as well. Yuk!!!  

But, where would we be without it?  The grass wouldn’t grow, neither would the roses in my front yard.  If it never rained again, after awhile EVERYTHING WOULD DIE!!!  There is a depressing thought on a rainy day.  But, to continue... without rain, there wouldn't be a clearing of the air or a rainbow, or all those contrasting shapes in the skies for us to marvel at. No more oceans for us to sail, nor rivers to canoe in. The world would be a dry and dusty place without rain.  And would be dirty too!!!  Beyond all this... why do we have rain?  What does it mean to us?  Well, we know that eventually it will stop raining- so we have hope. And hope is a very good thing indeed!!!  Sometimes there seems to be precious little to hope for, but that is where faith comes in.  God has helped in the past and will continue to do so- whether or not we think it will.  And so, when I look at the picture (taken by my granddaughter Lizzie in our retirement park in Dade City) the clearing clouds remind me that God will provide, just as HE has always done.  And I must keep on believing and have faith.  The following is a long selection from the book of Hebrews, but read it through all the way; it is worth it...

Hebrews, Chapter 11

1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.  2 For by this, the elders obtained testimony.  3 By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.  4 By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.  5 By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.  6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.  7 By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.  8 By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.  9 By faith, he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.  10 For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.  11 By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.  12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.  13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.  15 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.  16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 

  17  By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son;  18 even he to whom it was said, “In Isaac will your seed be called”;   19 concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.  20 By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.  21 By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.  22 By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his bones.  23 By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.  24 By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,  25 choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time;  26 accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.  27 By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.  29 By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.  30 By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days.  31 By faith, Rahab the prostitute, didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.  32 What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets;  33 who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee.  35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.  36 Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.  37 They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated  38 (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.  39 These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn’t receive the promise,  40 God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Faith, as described in the Bible is NOT just a mental exercise, designed to sharpen your intellect; it is motivation which causes you to act.  Faith has a cerebral aspect of it to be sure, but REAL FAITH ACTS!!!  The apostle James puts it this way...

James, Chapter 2

14  What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? 15 And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food,  16 and one of you tells them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”; and yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it?  17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.  18 Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 

  19  You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder.  20 But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?  21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?  22 You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected;  23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that by works, a man is justified, and not only by faith.  25 In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way?  26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

Today's post was not written for YOU, it is written for ME; that I might be reminded to take whatever faith I might have and put it to WORK!!!  So, bring on the rain and the more clouds the better, so that I might see beyond them by faith.  My prayer for today, is that you might think about this as well.  OH, yes, and the rain helps you nap on a dreary day.

 

 

PS.  I reached the 95 pound mark last night at weight-watchers.  Only a hundred to go. 

From Mark Copeland... We Reap What We Sow (Galatians 6:7-9)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

                      We Reap What We Sow (6:7-9)

INTRODUCTION

1. While encouraging Christians to share and do good, Paul reminds them
   of the principle of sowing and reaping... - Ga 6:7-9

2. Related to sowing and reaping, Madame Chiang Kai-shek once wrote:

   "If the past has taught us anything it is that every cause brings its
   effect, every action has a consequence. We Chinese have a saying: "If
   a man plants melons he will reap melons; if he sows beans, he will
   reap beans." And this is true of everyone's life; good begets good,
   and evil leads to evil. True enough, the sun shines on the saint and
   the sinner alike, and too often it seems that the wicked prosper. But
   we can say with certainty that, with the individual as with the
   nation, the flourishing of the wicked is an illusion, for,
   unceasingly, life keeps books on us all. In the end, we are all the
   sum total of our actions. Character cannot be counterfeited, nor can
   it put on and cast off as if it were a garment to meet the whim of
   the moment. Like the markings on wood which are ingrained in the very
   heart of the tree, character requires time and nurturing for growth
   and development. Thus also, day by day, we write our own destiny; for
   inexorably...we become what we do."

[The implications of this principle (we reap what we sow) are important,
worthy of our consideration...]

I. IMPLICATIONS OF THE PRINCIPLE

   A. WHAT WE ARE TODAY, IS DUE TO WHAT WE DID YESTERDAY...
      1. Our position, attitude, character, etc., is the result of our
         actions in the past
      2. We cannot lay blame on heredity, environment, parents, society,
         etc.
      3. Such things influenced us only to the degree that we let them
      4. We must accept responsibility for our actions, for God will
         demand it of us one day! - cf. 2Co 5:10
      -- Truly, the present reveals much about our past!

   B. WHAT WE ARE TOMORROW, WILL BE DUE TO WHAT WE DO TODAY...
      1. We can change, if we do not like what we are today! - cf. 2 Co 5:17
      2. But such change comes slowly, not overnight - cf. Ro 12:1-2;
         1Pe 2:1-2
      3. We must begin sowing today, if we want to reap tomorrow!
      4. While true of everyone, especially true for the young
         a. They are making choices which will affect the rest of their
            lives!
         b. They cannot "sow wild oats" and not "reap the harvest"!
      -- Just as true, the present portends much about our future!

[And so, "we become what we do." Now let's consider the principle as
applied by Paul in our text...]

II. APPLICATIONS OF THE PRINCIPLE

   A. WE ARE GIVEN TWO OPTIONS...
      1. Either we sow to the flesh - Ga 6:8a
         a. This entails the works of the flesh described earlier - cf.
            Ga 5:19-21
         b. Those who sow to the flesh reap corruption (sorrow, disease,
            damnation)
         c. They will not inherit the kingdom of God! - Ga 5:21
         d. They will instead experience the wrath of God! - Ep 5:5-7
      2. Or we sow to the Spirit - Ga 6:8b
         a. This entails walking in the Spirit (see more below) - Ga 5:
            16-18
         b. Those who sow to the Spirit reap everlasting life (abundant
            life, salvation)
         c. They will also reap the fruit of the Spirit - cf. Ga 5:22-23
      -- We can't do both (cf. Ga 5:16-17); so which will it be?

   B. WE SHOULD SOW TO THE SPIRIT...
      1. By doing good to all, especially brethren - cf. Ga 6:10
         a. This is the context of Paul's remarks on sowing and reaping
            - cf. also 2Co 9:6-7
         b. Paul writes of reaping everlasting life - Ga 6:8
         c. Elsewhere he makes a similar connection - cf. 1Ti 6:17-19
         d. Jesus makes a similar connection on several occasions
            1) In the sermon on the Mount - cf. Lk 6:35
            2) To His disciples, following a parable on covetousness
               - cf. Lk 12:15,33-34
            3) To the rich young ruler, who lacked one thing - cf. Lk 18:22
      2. By sharing in the good things taught in the Word - cf. Ga 6:6
         a. As some understand Paul's comments in verse 6
         b. Even if not Paul's original intent, the principle certainly
            remains true
         c. We can so share in two ways:
            1) Obedience to the gospel, of course - cf. He 5:9; Mk 16:16
            2) Growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ - cf. 2 Pe 3:18
         d. Doing so will one day reap a wonderful harvest! - cf. 2 Pe 1:5-11
      -- We sow to the Spirit (and lay up treasure in heaven) as we do
         good to all!

   C. WE SHOULD NOT GROW WEARY...
      1. There is the need for patience and perseverance - Ga 6:9
      2. The labor is not in vain - 1Co 15:58
      3. The reaping will come at the proper time (the coming of the
         Lord) - cf. Jm 5:7
      4. We shall reap if we don't lose heart and give up
      -- Learn from the farmer...have faith like a farmer!

CONCLUSION

1. Our character today may not be what it should be, but it can change

2. We have but two choices, which shall it be...
   a. Sow to the Spirit, and reap eternal life?
   b. Sow to the flesh, and reap corruption?

Eternal life awaits those who are willing to sow to the Spirit by
patiently doing good... - cf. Ro 2:7

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Jim McGuiggan... WHO WOULD I DIE FOR AND SO WHAT?

WHO WOULD I DIE FOR AND SO WHAT?

     I want to say that human love is not only a gift from God but that it carries within it the promise of the future because it tells us something about the heart of God. And those who have the heart of the Dragon-slayer can't bear to see people out there lost and alone. Moses couldn't bear to think that Israel would die even though he and his family would live on (see Exodus 32:30-32). And there was Paul who said he would gladly be cut off from the Christ if he thought it would save some of his own people (see Romans 9:2-3).

     The love of David for Jonathan, son of Saul, is well known to Bible readers, but David's deep feeling for Saul is not given the notice it calls for. The poet, Robert Browning, helps redress the balance. [Google his extended poem: Saul.] Using the biblical text and his own depth of insight he gives us a lesson we need to hear again and again. The existence, depth and selflessness of human love at its best say something the whole creation needs to hear because it reflects the heart of the one ransoming Christ.

     As Browning imagines it, Saul sent for David and he's met by Abner who tells him the king is in a dreadful state and that he and the men haven't eaten a bite since he went into his tent. Nor would they eat or drink until David came back out to say the king was alive and well. He has been three days in the black tent in the middle of the camp—in complete silence. The troops know a struggle is going on between Saul and the Spirit of God.

     David first prays and then enters, creeping in on his knees, praying as he goes, into the great darkness. He speaks into that darkness, "I'm David, your servant." Not a word or a sound, only deep darkness. Then his eyes make out something even darker, an upright—the center beam of the tent and then, blackest of all, he makes out the huge figure of Saul. A beam of sunlight suddenly gives some light and David sees him there, propped up against the central beam with his arms draped over the cross beam—like one crucified, covered in sweat, head drooping, like a king-serpent, cut off from his own kind while he's waiting for a transformation.

     David begins to play the kind of music he plays for his sheep—the kind that calms them; then music that charms the birds and other animals, even crickets. Then he played happy music, the kind they play at harvest when friends enjoy one another and expand each others hearts and then came the kind of music they play as they bear a man to his grave. The kind that goes along with the praise they proclaim as they walk saying, "the land has none left such as he on the bier". Then there was wedding music and music that men do hard work by when they have to get their shoulders under huge stones when building. And more, there was the praise music as when men go to worship, led by the Levitical singers,

                    up to the altar in glory enthroned.

                    But I stopped here:

                    for here in the darkness Saul groaned.

     For a moment David's silent, listening, then the tent shakes "for mighty Saul shuddered", but after that only his head moved. David begins to play again, speaking of the joys of human life, the rock-climbing, swimming, bear-hunting. He sings of love of family and the joys of it, the love of boyhood friends and then of the king's coming to glory and being monarch of the nation. And at that point, carried away by the beauty and truth of it all, and anxious for Saul to drink it in and end his night, he calls out the king's name—Saul! and then stopped.

     The whole tent is brighter with the singing but the figure in the center is like a dark mountain that's the last thing in the valley to be hit by the rising sun's light. But not so dark that David can't make out the scars the king bears; scars he received in the nation's defence. Saul gives a long shudder, then goes silent. But now he's aware of where and who he is. He has heard all the words and in great sadness:

                    He said, "It is good;" still he drinks not:

                              he lets me praise life,

                Gives assent, yet would die for his own part.

     David understands that the king knows something he doesn't know. All David has sung, while it's true, and lovely and joyous—it's not enough. There's got to be more. Life's joys aren't enough to take the sting out of living much less out of dying.

     He imagines himself lying in a little rock fissure while he's out tending his sheep. The rocks on each side hem in his view of the sky and narrow it down to only a sliver while high above him flies an eagle. What can he see? From that height, what can he see? Much more than David. He as a shepherd boy knows so little of life, and there's so much more so with that in mind he takes up his harp and begins to sing again.

He tells the king he's right not to put too much stock in life as it is on the physical level; "it's good" but it's not enough, and people grow tired of it and feel empty. But this life and the praise the king will get in future years from a grateful nation is God-given! God gave it!

     And as he sings, Saul moves, fixes his hair, adjusts his turban, wipes off the sweat with his robe, fixes his tunic and stands erect; looking now like the old Saul "ere error had bent". Then, weak, with his back against the central post he slides down to sit on the ground right close to David, his huge knees hemming the boy in; as the roots of a massive tree hem in a lamb that's sleeping there between them. And then, without a word, slowly, the king lifts a hand and puts it on the boy's head with "kind power" and pushes it back so he can look long in his face; the face of one that cares for him. David's heart is bursting with love for the man.

     He hears himself say he would give anything, anything if he could make the king well, if he could give him not just longer life—but new life! If love could do it, love would. The thought of that startled him.

     Shocked into silence by the new and daring thought, he reflects on creation, admitting it's more than he can fathom, it far outreaches all his wisdom and exposes all his limitations. And what of God's love and his? He thinks of his own love for Saul, Saul the bent king. Thinks how gladly he'd do whatever it took to make him right. And in this, does the creature do better than the Creator? Does he compare himself with God and out-shine God?

     It's true that he doesn't have God's power to complete his desire, but does he think he has out-willed God? Does he will Saul good more than God does? Does God have more power but less will than David to do good? No, God out-wills him as well as out-powers him.

     Should David then in all the lesser matters trust God and when it comes to what matters most "distrust"? Is it too good to be true? Should he, having seen so much, go "thus far and no farther?" Would God make Saul and not love him? And if he loved him, would he not redeem him? David would! Could God be less than David in loving? Perish the thought! When the truth sinks in, he begins to weep. His own weakness doesn't prevent him from willing Saul's redemption though his weakness depresses him.

     Still, it suddenly dawns on him, "'tis not what man does which exalts him, but what man would do!" So David's service is perfect; weakness doesn't change his purpose so he asks God to speak this new truth through him.

                      Could I wrestle to raise him from sorrow,

                                grow poor to enrich,

                      To fill up his life, starve my own out, I

                                would—knowing which,

                          I know that my service is perfect. Oh,

                                speak through me now!

                         Would I suffer for him that I love? So

                                 wouldst thou—so wilt thou!

     Knowing then that God feels as he feels, David longs for the incarnation of that purpose and power; he longs to see it fleshed out. The boy enters into a new truth about God: that God in his holy love longs for the redemption even of his enemies and will do whatever it takes to give his enemies new life.

                    'Tis the weakness in strength, that I cry

                        for! my flesh, that I seek

                    In the Godhead! I seek and find it, O

                                Saul, it shall be

                    A Face like my face that receives thee; a

                                  Man like to me,

                     Thou shalt love and be loved by, for ever;

                                a Hand like this hand

                       Shall throw open the gates of new life to

                             thee! See the Christ stand!

     All this came to David with stunning power and since it was so broad a revelation, involving the Creator of all things whose character makes his work of redemption inevitable, David feels that the whole of creation must have been affected.

     He stumbles his way home in the night as it gets toward morning and feels there's a host of creatures as well as a universe watching him, like a nation famished for news on how the war is going. As he walks home creatures, awe-stricken at the revelation, flowers staring in awed astonishment, winds whispering their amazement and brooks quietly murmuring in hushed voice—all, joining together in responding to the "new law" (which was really an old law) given to David, "E'en so, it is so!"

     I'm saying that human love is a prophet and a seer. Its very being in the world speaks of an ultimate Lover. I'm aware this is no argument that'd satisfy an atheist; I'm not offering arguments now I'm proclaiming Browning's truth that honorable love between us, that would drive us to give all we have, and more if we had it, to get new life for another—even the fallen among us—that love says there's another love that makes sense of our human loves. That enriches them in ways we ourselves are unable to do.

     It's a serious question, perhaps without an adequate answer from us: how does it come that such evil exists in this world? But it's a glorious question when we ask: how does it come that such profound love is in the world?

     Isn't your love for each other a wondrous thing? Aren't there those you'd cheerfully die for? Give all you have for?

 

    Does God love less? Isn't it lovely of God to give us such a lovely thing as holy human love to tell us of his own unfathomable love for us all? And isn't it thrilling to meet people like that who are followers of the Dragonslayer! If you listen hard, really hard in the silence, from a great distance you could almost swear there's the sound of grinding teeth and a dragonish screech of anguish in the still air.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.