Stupid is as Stupid does

Pretty stupid sign, right? As Forrest Gump would say: “Stupid is as Stupid does”. I wonder who authorized such a sign to be put up in the first place and why? Bureaucracy, it seems, defies reason and reasonableness! Stupidity can be found everywhere, not just in road signs; consider Ahaziah, king of Israel:

2Ki 1:1 Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
2Ki 1:2 Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said to them, Go, inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover of this sickness.
2Ki 1:3 But the angel of Yahweh said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and tell them, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you go to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron?
2Ki 1:4 Now therefore thus says Yahweh, You shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die. Elijah departed.
2Ki 1:5 The messengers returned to him, and he said to them, Why is it that you have returned?
2Ki 1:6 They said to him, There came up a man to meet us, and said to us, Go, turn again to the king who sent you, and tell him, Thus says Yahweh, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you send to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron? therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you are gone up, but shall surely die.
2Ki 1:7 He said to them, What kind of man was he who came up to meet you, and told you these words?
2Ki 1:8 They answered him, He was a hairy man, and girt with a belt of leather about his waist. He said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
2Ki 1:9 Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. He went up to him: and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. He spoke to him, man of God, the king has said, Come down.
2Ki 1:10 Elijah answered to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from the sky, and consume you and your fifty. Fire came down from the sky, and consumed him and his fifty.
2Ki 1:11 Again he sent to him another captain of fifty and his fifty. He answered him, man of God, thus has the king said, Come down quickly.
2Ki 1:12 Elijah answered them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from the sky, and consume you and your fifty. The fire of God came down from the sky, and consumed him and his fifty.
2Ki 1:13 Again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. The third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, and said to him, man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty your servants, be precious in your sight.
2Ki 1:14 Behold, fire came down from the sky, and consumed the two former captains of fifty with their fifties; but now let my life be precious in your sight.
2Ki 1:15 The angel of Yahweh said to Elijah, Go down with him: don't be afraid of him. He arose, and went down with him to the king.
2Ki 1:16 He said to him, Thus says Yahweh, Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.
2Ki 1:17 So he died according to the word of Yahweh which Elijah had spoken. Jehoram began to reign in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.


The World English Bible

Ahaziah should have learned the lesson Yahweh taught Israel in 1 Kings 18. There was only one true God in Israel and HE answers by fire! Yet Ahaziah kept sending men to Elijah and they were repeatedly being killed by fire? I think the saying “don’t confuse me with the facts; I have my mind made up” applies to Ahaziah. The next time God demonstrates something to you, it might be a very good thing to learn AND apply it. By the way, however stupid the road sign is… it IS RIGHT!

Freedom

Notice the sign above the gate of the concentration camp, it means... work makes free. The sign above the entrance is a lie; there was no freedom here, only death. What is freedom, anyway? Is it the right to do anything you want at anytime? That can't be right, because you could hurt someone else in the process. What if the government allowed you to do something that you knew was morally wrong, but was allowed by current law, would you do it? True freedom is not governed by externals or legislation, but rather by obedience to the highest standard possible and that of course would be God's law. Consider the following Scripture and then ask yourself what you would do:

Act 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
Act 5:13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
Act 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
Act 5:15 So that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
Act 5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities around to Jerusalem, bringing sick persons, and them who were afflicted with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
Act 5:17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him; (which is the sect of the Sadducees) and were filled with indignation,
Act 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
Act 5:19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison-doors, and brought them forth, and said,
Act 5:20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
Act 5:21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
Act 5:22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
Act 5:23 Saying, The prison truly we found shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
Act 5:24 Now when the high priest, and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them to what this would grow.
Act 5:25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
Act 5:26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
Act 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
Act 5:28 Saying, Did we not strictly command you, that ye should not teach in this name? and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
Act 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Act 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree:
Act 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Act 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

The Webster Bible

God had given the apostles very special abilities and marching orders to go forth and use those abilities. They could not stop no matter what the opposition, but I wonder if I could be as brave as they were? Like it or not, there seems to be a progression towards a one government world. Coupled with rising opposition to religious freedom, we may be headed towards moments in our own lives that resemble that of the apostles. Remember, if the son makes you free, then you are free indeed. Do what is right; don't look back, obey God and be truly free!

Dead End

Signs, they say all sorts of things; some good and others not. Somehow our society has softened a lot of things in life. We don't have graveyards, we have cemeteries. We don't have to use the toilet, instead we need to go to the little boys room. There are no more stupid kids, we have intellectually challenged youth. Why, what is so wrong with calling something exactly what it is, without all the soft soap? Our society doesn't want to offend anyone because it might hurt their feelings. Well, there are times when the unvarnished truth must be told, for example who would want to go to a physician who was afraid to tell his patient about an incurable disease like cancer? The truth may hurt, but it is still the truth. One of the things I like about Jesus is that when the truth was necessary, he just said it. Consider this passage:

Mat 15:1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying,
Mat 15:2 Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.
Mat 15:3 But He answered and said to them, Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Mat 15:4 For God commanded, saying, "Honor your father and mother"; and, "He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him die by death."
Mat 15:5 But you say, Whoever says to his father or mother, Whatever you would gain from me, It is a gift to God;
Mat 15:6 and in no way he honors his father or his mother. And you voided the commandment of God by your tradition.
Mat 15:7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,
Mat 15:8 "This people draws near to Me with their mouth, and honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
Mat 15:10 And He called the crowd and said to them, Hear and understand.
Mat 15:11 Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.
Mat 15:12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?
Mat 15:13 But He answered and said, Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted shall be rooted up.
Mat 15:14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Modern King James Version

Politically correct is a path that leads straight to hell. When someone commits a grievous error, they need to be corrected, not coddled. When someone sins, they should be made aware of it. However, at the same time there is no need to be vindictive, just correct. So, the next time someone asks you where the cemetery is, just tell them the direction to the graveyard. Maybe they will think a little more about death and the afterlife and who knows, you just might be doing them a favor?

Talk is cheap

Remember “The wizard of OZ”? There was a song in the show called “follow the yellow brick road” which I can still sing (sort of). But what if God really did give us a literal “yellow brick road” to follow in our lives? What effect would it have on us? I think it would make into robots. So, what is the plan? Well, we have the examples of both ungodly and godly people from the Bible to follow. Saul was chosen by God to lead Israel but could not really do the job. First, the bad example:

1Sa 15:1 Samuel also said to Saul, the LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou to the voice of the words of the LORD.
1Sa 15:2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
1Sa 15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
1Sa 15:4 And Saul assembled the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.
1Sa 15:5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.
1Sa 15:6 And Saul said to the Kenites, Go, depart, withdraw yourselves from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up from Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
1Sa 15:7 And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah, until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.
1Sa 15:8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
1Sa 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
1Sa 15:10 Then came the word of the LORD to Samuel, saying,
1Sa 15:11 I repent that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried to the LORD all night.

And also….. (the good example, Jesus)

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in by it.
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth to life, and few there are that find it.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits: Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles:
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them,
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.


The Webster Bible


Saul knew the right thing to do, but did not do it. Some teach today that all that is required is just mentally assent to the concept that God is king and everything will be OK… hum… what about obedience? In fact, it is God's will that we adhere to a very specific pattern as outlined in Acts chapter 2. Talk is cheap, actions speak much, much louder than words; obey the will of God and head down the right road, bricks are optional!

Breakthrough

What's wrong with this plane? The answer is:nothing. It's just breaking through the sound barrier, that's all. Most of the time we just hear a sonic boom and realize this has happened, but here is a picture of it. We can see it, not just hear it. A lot of things in life are like this, we know they happen, but we don't normally see them. Start your car lately? You don't see the mechanics behind the car starting, but you know they are happening; your car starts. Faith is like this, you can't see it but you can see the results of a changed life. Jesus said:

Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith to him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said to thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the sound of it, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Joh 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said to him, How can these things be?
Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, Art thou a teacher of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Joh 3:11 Verily, verily, I say to thee, We speak what we know, and testify what we have seen; and ye receive not our testimony.
Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how will ye believe if I tell you heavenly things?
Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Webster Bible

Nicodemus needed to make the breakthrough from thinking literally to spiritually! There are countless things in this world we do not understand, but we accept them as fact. Like Nicodemus, we need to realize that somethings are beyond our current understanding and breakthrough to spiritual acceptance. Then, boom, you are there: breakthrough!

Beauty or the beast

A good friend of mine drew this beautiful picture. I have never been artistic and am amazed how someone can do this, but God gives different gifts to different people. This lady is quite attractive, but I wonder what she will look like in 50 years? As we age, our face becomes a mirror of the life we have lived. Haven't you ever noticed that some people retain a certain charm and attractiveness while others become bitter and mean spirited as they enter their golden years. The last letter that the apostle Paul wrote gives some insight into aging. He writes:

2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.
2Ti 4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly to me:
2Ti 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and hath departed to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
2Ti 4:11 Luke only is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
2Ti 4:12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
2Ti 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
2Ti 4:14 Alexander the copper-smith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
2Ti 4:15 Of whom be thou aware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
2Ti 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
2Ti 4:17 Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
2Ti 4:18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Webster Bible

If anyone had a hard life it was Paul. I have heard it said that he traveled over 100,000 miles on his missionary journeys and the way he himself talks about his exploits in the latter part of the book of 2 Corinthians its a wonder he ever became older. He should have been a bitter old man, but instead the love within him is very obvious. I wonder, what will our heart be like in 50 years, a beauty or the beast? I guess the answer can only be found written on our heart, but you will have to look past the wrinkles to find out.

Ha Ha!!

Some people love to bring others down; I think they live for it. I frankly do not understand such people! Perhaps its a way to exalt themselves by hoping someone else is having a worse day than they are. How do we deal with such people? Nehemiah encountered those who ridiculed what he planned to do. See his solution in the following verses:

Neh 4:1 But it came to pass that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
Neh 4:2 And he spoke before his brethren, and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
Neh 4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox should go up, he would even break down their stone wall.
Neh 4:4 Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
Neh 4:5 And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
Neh 4:6 So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to the half of it, for the people had a mind to work.

The Webster Bible

Simple isn't it; he worked and prayed. I think he had a great deal of trust as well, and the combination of prayer, trust and hard work is powerful indeed! Also note that Nehemiah named his adversaries and asked God to handle the situation. When faced with opposition, God is the best arbiter; rely on him and do not retaliate. It may be tempting to say "Ha Ha" back to your opponents, but ultimately it is far better to just hand the situation over to God; if HE puts someone down, HE really has the last laugh!

First things first

How do we measure worth? How is it that diamonds are worth more than say, popcorn? Is it just rarity or durability that is the overriding factor? What about intangible items such as a smile or love. Money is important, but try living without hope or love or companionship. What if no one in your life cared two cents about you? For all his great intellect, the apostle Paul really loved others, as can be seen by the following Bible passage:

Php 1:3 I thank my God whenever I remember you,
Php 1:4 always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy,
Php 1:5 for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;
Php 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Php 1:7 It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.
Php 1:8 For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
Php 1:9 This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
Php 1:10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;
Php 1:11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The World English Bible

Don't worry about what life will give you; first give yourself over to others in love and a path of understanding will be provided by the God of the heavens.

Peek a boo

Recently a friend of mine has made me really aware of cats. I have known they existed for many years, but never really paid much attention to them. They are playful creatures as the two pictures shown above reveal. My friend talks about her cat as if it were human, but its hard for me to think about cats like that. Many years ago, a minister's wife was asked whether or not cats or dogs would be in heaven. Her response was the most insightful I have ever heard; "whatever it takes to make you happy will be there". A loving God would naturally give those who love him their deepest desires and fill their lives with joy! But what about today? What will God give to those who love him today? Jesus said:

Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called children of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Webster Bible

The word "blessed" also means happy, but the word happy really doesn't do full justice to the concept being conveyed here. It means the inward state of bliss that the person who seeks to truly follow God has within them. This doesn't mean the disciple won't have problems, or that things won't bother them, but rather that God will be with them regardless of the circumstances. So, even in the worst of situations, you just might find yourself feeling like saying "Peek a boo". Who knows, I might even get a cat someday!

Up, up and away

Imagine what it would be like to be in the basket of the balloon just taking off. Probably something like an elevator without the walls. I wonder just how high you could go in one of these things? Several years ago we lived in New Jersey and the townhouse development still had large open areas. Then one day in November a group of balloons landed in one of the undeveloped fields. What a sight it was! I still remember how BIG they were and HOW BEAUTIFUL! Its amazing to me how some things just make such an impact that they are never forgotten. Imagine how the apostle Paul must have felt when he penned these words:

2Co 12:1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2Co 12:2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.
2Co 12:3 I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows),
2Co 12:4 how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
2Co 12:5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
2Co 12:6 For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me.
2Co 12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.
2Co 12:8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

The World English Bible

In the Bible there are three heavens; the first is the air about us, the second is all that we can see in the sky and last was the heaven above the others, where God dwells (paradise). To be allowed into that third heaven must be something that was the ultimate "high"! Makes ballooning look paltry, doesn't it? However, one day I hope to see it and I hope to see you there as well! Up, up and away!