The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:  who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 

John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” 

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.  For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has seen God at any time.

The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father,
He has declared Him.

(John 1:1-18 NKJV)

 

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/john/1.htm

 

 

Whadda ya mean I gotta?

“That government is best which governs least.”

(Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience, 1849)

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2017/sep/21/mike-pence/mike-pence-erroneously-credits-thomas-jefferson-sm/

 Americans have a problem with the word “mandate.”  If you tell an American that they must do something, their knee jerk reaction is, “Wait a minute. Who do you think you are? You can't tell me what to do.”

The fastest way to get Americans to do something, is to tell them not to do it.  Those in government who would have us all get vaccinated and wear masks should tell us not to do so. By saying that vaccinations and masks are “mandatory,” our Democratic friends doing the mandating ensure that we will resist wearing masks and getting vaccinated. 

Americans want to choose for themselves.  If we are told what to do, we feel like our individual liberties are being trampled upon.  Whether this is actually the case, or not, is a matter of point of view, but I agree in principle. 

Big government fundamentally fails to understand the American people.  That is why so many of us are opposed to a gigantic, unelected bureaucracy.  We resist it because its purpose is to regulate us.  Big government does not trust our judgement.  It does not know how to give us the facts and let us make up our own minds.

 

The Wise Men

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;

For out of you shall come a Ruler

Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

(Matthew 2:1-14 NKJV)

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/matthew/2.htm

Christ is Born

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.

So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (Luke2:1-20 NKJV) 

 

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/luke/2.htm

 

 

The Christ, the Son of the Living God

At the time of Jesus' birth, most Jewish people were able to recite their genealogy (family tree) all the way back to Adam.  The scriptures clearly state that the Messiah would be a descendant of King David of Israel. (Jeremiah 23:5-6; Isaiah 11:1-2; Psalm 89 3-4, 18, 26-37; Acts 2:29-30)   Therefore, it was important that Jesus’ genealogy show that he was a descendant of David.

The genealogy of Jesus of Nazareth is provided for us in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 1, and the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 3.  There are, however, significant differences between the two.  In Matthew's Gospel the father of Jesus' stepfather, Joseph, is listed as “Jacob.”  In Luke's Gospel it says that Joseph's father was “Heli.”  This is because the genealogy listed in Luke is actually the genealogy of Mary, Jesus’ mother.  Heli was Joseph's father-in-law, and Heli was regarded as Joseph's father culturally.

The significance cannot be overstated.  If Joseph was Jesus' biological father, then Jesus cannot be the Messiah.  Matthew 1:11 shows that Joseph was a descendent of Jeconiah (a.k.a. Jehoiachin) a King in the linage of David who was so evil that he was cursed (2Kings 24:8; 1Chronicles 3:16; Jeremiah 22:18-30), and no descendant of Jeconiah could inherit the throne of David.  The only way that Jesus can be "the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God," (Matthew 16:16) is through the genealogy of Mary.

Those who would deny the Immaculate Conception, and the virgin birth of Jesus of Nazareth, by doing so also deny Peter's witness that He is the Messiah.  “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 NIV)

 

 

Joseph's Obedience

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:

His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph,

but before they came together,

she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law,

and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace,

he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this,

an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife,

because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

”The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel”* (which means God with us).

When Joseph woke up,

he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him

and took Mary home as his wife.

But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son.

And he gave him the name Jesus.

(Matthew 1:18-25 NIV)

* Isaiah 7:14

https://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/1.htm

The Annunciation

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

And having come in, the angel said to her,

“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you;

blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38 NKJV)

https://biblehub.com/nkjv/luke/1.htm

The Origin of the Universe

A couple of years ago, we got tired of the cable TV companies.  They raised their rates over and over, and what we were getting wasn’t worth what we were paying.  We agreed to start streaming our TV.  The “quality” of the programming is almost as good, and streaming has saved us a lot of money.

Our streaming service offers the tubi channel free of charge, and free is important to us concerning television.  I am very reluctant to endorse or recommend anything in Lamp in a Corner, especially regarding television entertainment.  There is too much objectionable content on television that might lead someone astray (myself included).  I watch television, but I try to be very selective about it.  In many cases you might as well pipe an open sewer into your home.

I ran across a documentary on tubi, however, that I would like to call to your attention.  It is called “The Privileged Planet.”  Lad Allen wrote, directed, and produced it, and the actor (narrator) is John Rhys-Davies.  The film is not a “religious” polemic.  Rather, it uses a scientific approach to demonstrate how observation of the universe shows evidence that it was created by intelligent design rather than by a random, unplanned combination of events. 

The program is very well made, and it is interestingly presented in terms that the average person can understand. Those scientists who are featured are credible, and it seems that they are sincere about the information they provide.  The dvd is available on Amazon. 

I am not prone to using empirical data to “prove” the Bible.  I believe that it is impossible to know God except by faith. (Hebrews 11:6)  We should not, however, ignore evidence from observation, experience, or research that supports what the Bible provides for us. 

Christians have long said that ‘You can’t explain creation without a creator.’  Although true, it is an argument that is often dismissed by those who are reluctant to consider the Christian point of view.  The Privileged Planet makes it more difficult to dismiss intelligent design.

 

 

Peace on Earth

The Christmas hymn, I heard the Bells on Christmas Day, was adapted from a poem (Christmas Bells) written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas in 1863.  It was a time of great personal difficulty for Longfellow, who was mourning the death of his wife and whose son had been seriously wounded in the Civil War.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace of earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along th'unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong, and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

From: Baptist Hymnal, 1991

https://hymnary.org/text/i_heard_the_bells_on_christmas_day

In today’s world, Russia is massing troops on its border with Ukraine and China is sending its warplanes into Taiwan’s airspace almost daily.  Both countries believe that their legitimate national interests support their actions.

The United States is not bound by treaty to defend Taiwan, but our position since 1948 has been that the Taiwanese people have the right to self-determination, and our stance has been to support them.  The U.S. has considered it to be in our national interest to resist the People’s Republic of China if they use force to extend their control over Taiwan.

In 1994 the United States, Great Britain, and the Russian Federation gave “security assurances” to Ukraine in exchange for the dismantling of her nuclear weapons.  Now, the Ukrainians have no nukes and very little security.  It is unclear whether the agreement obligates America to defend Ukraine militarily.  However, since 1994, the United States has given assurances that it would help Ukraine should Russia invade her.  We have provided Ukraine with material and financial aid, so far.

Not to be outdone, the Iranians continue to fuel terrorism around the world and especially in the Middle East.  They are enriching fissionable material at an alarming speed, and it is clear that they intend to possess deliverable nuclear weapons in the near future.

When Jesus was born, angels appeared to shepherds in the hills near Bethlehem: 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14 NIV)

 https://biblehub.com/niv/luke/2.htm

The song is correct, God is not dead or asleep.  He is in control.  If we turn to Him, repent of our sins, humble ourselves and pray, He will heal our land. (2Chronicles 7:14)

Are we people that a holy God can look upon with favor?  Only if He sees the righteousness of Christ in the place of our sin.  Ask Jesus to be your savior, and then follow Him.  Pray for peace.

Thanksgiving 2021

 

"Jehovah-Jireh"

Jehovah Jireh
My provider
His grace is sufficient
For me, for me, for me

Jehovah Jireh
My provider
His grace is sufficient
For me

My God shall supply all my needs
According to His riches in glory
He will give His angels
Charge over me

Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me

Jehovah Jireh
My provider
His grace is sufficient
For me, for me, for me

Jehovah Jireh
My provider
His grace is sufficient
For me

My God shall supply all my needs
According to His riches in glory
He will give His angels
Charge over me

Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me

My God shall supply all my needs
According to His riches in glory
He will give His angels
Charge over me

Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me

My God shall supply all my needs
According to His riches in glory
He will give His angels
Charge over me

Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me
Jehovah Jireh cares for me

 

 

"Give Thanks"

 

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us" …

We give thanks to You oh Lord
We give thanks

 

Lyrics from “Give Thanks”

an album recorded live by

Don Moen

 

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/donmoen/givethanks.html

  

Today, let us set aside any differences we may have and give thanks to Almighty God for our blessings; remembering that foremost among these is salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  Thank you Lord.

Involuntary Organ Harvesting in the People's Republic of China

If a free people want to keep their freedom, they must do what they can to keep themselves informed.  Not everyone in the United States does so.  A great many people are content to let somebody else handle things, while they play games and text their friends on their cell phones.

Our broadcast and cable news media give us short “segments” on the events of the day, which are “spun” to pander to, or manipulate, our point of view.  We hear about the things that a few corporations who own the media want us to know about.

Many of us, if we are interested at all, are content to get spoon-fed our news.  Some of us look to other sources of information.  We read online news websites, blogs, and social media.  Occasionally, we look to print media.  Some of the things we are exposed to are reliable.  Many are not.  Discernment is needed to separate the wheat from the chaff.  As Ronald Reagan once said, “Trust but verify.”

I was shocked recently when I came across an article in, The Epoch Times, which reported that the internal organs of living “prisoners of conscience” in Chinese prison camps were being harvested without the consent of the donor.[1] I have found The Epoch Times to be a good source of reliable information.  They are solidly opposed to the Chinese Communist Party, however, and many people are not familiar with the paper.  Therefore, I did a quick review of other articles on the internet dealing with the subject.

In brief, I found that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has been accused of involuntarily removing the internal organs of prisoners in prison camps for use in organ transplants in China and for sale in China and internationally.  The PRC has admitted that this happened in the past, but they deny it is happening now.  Recent investigations, however, have found credible evidence that the practice is ongoing.  Profits from the sale of these vital organs have been as much as a billion dollars a year, and it has been going on for decades.

Many of the victims have died.  The primary prisoner groups victimized have been the Falun Gong and the Uighur Muslims.  There have been reports that members of Christian house churches and Tibetans have also been victims.

Some of the reports I am going to list allege that the “prisoners of conscience” must do forced labor.  It is reported that they are beaten and tortured.   

For more information, please refer to the following links: 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-forcefully-harvests-organs-detainees-tribunal-concludes-n1018646

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2021/07/08/united-nations-concerned-about-organ-harvesting-in-china/?sh=1a05d9b342dd

https://www.healtheuropa.eu/governments-must-act-on-chinas-forced-organ-harvesting/105874/

https://www.healtheuropa.eu/forced-organ-harvesting-one-of-the-worst-mass-atrocities-of-this-century/97035/

https://www.zee5.com/articles/brussels-press-club-holds-conference-on-forced-organ-harvesting-by-china

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/in-the-face-of-criticism-china-has-been-cleaning-up-its-organ-transplant-industry/2017/09/14/d689444e-e1a2-11e6-a419-eefe8eff0835_story.html

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/liver-on-sale-for-160k-uyghur-organs-harvested-in-china-s-black-markets-101635556908589.html

https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-rights-experts-claim-chinese-minorities-targeted-in-organ-harvesting/

Write your senators and congressmen.  This is one outrage too many.  We must urge our government to phase out all trade, cultural exchanges, and all but the minimum diplomatic relations with the PRC, starting now.

 

---

[1] Corr, Anders. “Forced Organ Harvesting in China Is Medical Genocide for Profit.” The Epoch Times (Northwest Edition). 29 Sept.-5 Oct. 2021, p. A13.

Debt

Just as the rich rule the poor,

so the borrower is servant to the lender.

(Proverbs 22:7 NLT)

Faith is the most important reason we believe the scriptures are true. At times, it is also because God’s Word is proved by our experience of life. How many of us become “wage slaves” to be able to pay the bills? Do we stay with a difficult job or a toxic work environment because we fear we might lose our income and go bankrupt if our new job or business opportunity does not work out?

The 1937 Disney movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, featured the dwarfs marching off to work singing, “Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho! It’s off to work we go!”  I once noticed a bumper sticker that read, “I owe, I  owe, so it’s off to work I go.”    I know from personal experience how difficult it is to pay off consumer debt to multiple creditors by making monthly payments. 

To be up front about it, I have carried consumer debt most of my life.  I used to say that being of sound mind, I spent every cent I made – two years before I made it.  I was only half joking.  Were it not for God’s provision, I would still be up to my ears in debt. 

The ability to buy on credit lets us have what we want now, rather than to wait until we have saved the money to buy it, but look out - it’s a trap! Henry David Thoreau is reported to have said, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”  My contention is that this is probably due to debt. 

One source reports that, “Americans added $660 billion in debt while paying down credit card balances and buying homes during the pandemic. The average person now has nearly $54,000 of debt, or more than $155,000 per household.”[1] 

A consumer debt study by Experian for 2020 said, “Overall, total outstanding consumer debt grew to just under $14.9 trillion. Several types of debt contributed to this growth, though it was notably counteracted by a decrease in credit card balances.”[2] 

In today’s economy, only a small proportion of the money in circulation is hard cash.  Most transactions are being conducted in “numbers money.”[3] 

When a consumer goes to a car dealer to buy a car, the dealer’s financial officer arranges for a loan. The lender sends an electronic payment for the car to the dealer’s bank account. If the buyer makes a down payment, it is usually by check or debit card.  No exchange of cash takes place.  That’s numbers money. [4]  Without creating debt, most of us could not afford to buy a car. 

When we use a debit card to buy our groceries, or a credit card to buy gas, no exchange of cash takes place.  Account transfers take place electronically. [5] When our life insurance company “automatically” dips into our checking account for their monthly premium, that is numbers money.  No cash. 

Were it not for credit cards, how much online shopping would there be?  How many small businesses would fold if Christmas buying had to be in cash?  It is a lot easier to whip out your credit or debit card to buy the things you want, isn’t it?  It’s more difficult to come up with the cash. 

In short, our economy has become dependent on numbers money, and especially on credit buying.  Without it, our economy would collapse.

You see – it’s built in for people to go into debt and stay there.  It adds money to the economy and lends stability to the work force. 

There is a fly in the ointment.  Interest rates on homes and cars are low right now, but the interest we pay on credit card debt, personal loans, and the like amounts to usury (in the moral if not legal sense).  Somebody is lending in ways that take unfair advantage of the ordinary Joe.  Further, there is no guarantee that home and auto loan interest will not go up.  I’m old enough to remember 10% interest on home loans and 16% interest on used car loans. 

Stay with me while I quote a number of verses from the Holy Bible, so that we may get a feel for the whole wisdom of God about debt. (Hint: He doesn’t want us to go into debt.)  Please remember that God gives us His commands so that we may have happy lives.

Hopefully, these verses will convict us about how far we have wandered away from God.  Things that are wrong have become so commonplace that they are taken for granted. 

Nations 

The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless every work of your hand; and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. (Deuteronomy 28:12 NASB) 

At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts.  And this is the regulation for the release of debts: every creditor is to forgive what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not require it of his neighbor and his brother, because the LORD’S release has been proclaimed.  From a foreigner you may require it, but your hand shall forgive whatever of yours is with your brother. (Deuteronomy 15:1-3 NASB) 

You are not to charge interest to your countrymen: interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned on interest.  You may charge interest to a foreigner, but to your countrymen you shall not charge interest, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land which you are about to enter to possess. (Deuteronomy 23:19-20 NASB) 

Society 

So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard about it, they went down there to him.  Then everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him. (1Samuel 22:1-2 NASB) 

Now in case a countryman of yours becomes poor and his means among you falter, then you are to sustain him, like a stranger or a resident, so that he may live with you.  Do not take any kind of interest from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may live with you.  You shall not give him your silver at interest, nor your food for profit.  I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God. (Leviticus 25:37-37 NASB) 

Individuals 

Now a woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.”  So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”  Then he said, “Go,  borrow containers elsewhere for yourself, empty containers from all your neighbors—do not get too few.  Then you shall come in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour into all these containers; and you shall set aside what is full.”  So she left him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they began bringing the containers to her, and she poured the oil.  When the containers were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another container.” But he said to her, “There are no more containers.” Then the oil stopped.  So she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” (2Kings 4:1-7 NASB) 

When you make your neighbor a loan of any kind, you shall not enter his house to take his pledge.  You shall stand outside, and the person to whom you are making the loan shall bring the pledge outside to you.  And if he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge.  When the sun goes down you shall certainly return the pledge to him, so that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be righteousness for you before the LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 24:10-13 NASB) 

If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest.  If you ever seize your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you are to return it to him before the sun sets,  for that is his only covering; it is his cloak for his body. What else is he to sleep in? And it will come about that when he cries out to Me, I will listen to him, for I am gracious. (Exodus 22:25-27 NASB) 

Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:42 NASB) 

Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.  As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold  was brought to him.  Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’  The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.  He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back. “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.  When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’  In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Matthew 18:23-35 NIV) 

Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,  and the other fifty.  Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7-41-42 NIV) 

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:13 NIV)[6] 

Admittedly, some of these verses are about forgiveness and gratitude.  Yet, they also speak to our attitudes about money and debt.  Please take a few moments to reflect on God's Word. 

Whom are we to serve?  Will we serve God or our creditors?  How much interest is fair?  How does God want us to treat those who owe us?  How many of our children or grandchildren could we have put through college with the money we have paid in interest? 

Should the good old USA borrow money from China?  Will a people oppressed by poverty and debt become rebellious? 

Does God still help people the way He helped the widow through Elisha?  She did what Elisha told her, and she received a miracle.  God will help us if we obey Him.  He helped me.

 

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[1] https://www.benefitspro.com/2021/09/29/average-household-debt-rises-during-pandemic-to-over-150k/?slreturn=20211020194605

[2] https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/research/consumer-debt-study/

[3] https://workableeconomics.com/where-does-money-come-from/

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] https://biblehub.com/ (All Bible verses) 

Being Patient

You can always tell when God thinks something is important by the number of times it is mentioned in the Holy Bible.  If you use a concordance, the number of times a word is shown to occur does not always reflect the total number of times it actually shows up because a concordance is primarily a verse locator.  However, it is one way to get a count.  I use a Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance because it is the one that was most readily available in large print (in a bookstore before I started internet shopping).

My concordance is keyed to the King James Version of the Bible.  Other translations sometimes use words like “perseverance” and “steadfast” to render “patient” or “patience” from Latin and Greek into modern English.

In my Strong’s, the word “patience” is listed 34 times, in 14 different books of the Bible.  “Patient” is listed nine times in seven books, and “patiently” is shown six times in four books.

It would seem, therefore, that an earnest disciple (student) like me might be able to get the point.  I cannot, however, seem to be able to – at least not on my own.  It seems that the only way I can avoid impatience is to lean on the Lord.

How about you?  In this age of instant gratification, are you able to patiently wait?  Do you get cross with people about delays they are not able to avoid?  If I don’t watch it, I do.

Here are some verses to help when we hit the end of our rope:

The end of a matter is better than its beginning;

Patience of spirit is better than arrogance of spirit.

Do not be eager in your spirit to be angry,

For anger resides in the heart of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 NASB) 

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.  For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,  who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. (Colossians 1:11-14 NLT) 

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world,  and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (1Timothy 6:6-11 NKJV) 

Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. (Titus 2:2 NLT) 

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (James 1:3 NKJV) 

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.  You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!  My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.  Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:7-11 NKJV) 

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (2Peter 1:5-9 KJV) 

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.  I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. (Revelation2:1-3 ESV)

 

Note: All verses quoted from: https://biblehub.com/esv/revelation/2.htm

The Baptism and Temptation of Christ

Let’s share together some lessons from God’s word. 

Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him.  But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?”  But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.  After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him,  and behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17 NASB)[1] 

Note that when Jesus was baptized, it was to fulfill all righteousness - not just for a ceremonial purification.  It is because Jesus was perfectly righteous that He was the unblemished Lamb needed to pay the price for our sins.  The use of capitalization by the translators to identify our Lord shows that it was their judgement that John the Baptist saw the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus.  John heard and understood the voice of God. 

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.  And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” 

Then the devil took Him along into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,  and he said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: 

‘HE WILL GIVE HIS ANGELS ORDERS CONCERNING YOU’; 

and 

‘ON THEIR HANDS THEY WILL LIFT YOU UP, SO THAT YOU DO NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’” 

Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written: ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’” 

Again, the devil took Him along to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;  and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”  

Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” 

Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to serve Him. (Matthew 4:1-11 NASB)[2] 

Jesus was tempted as we are, but He did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15) He was without food for 40 days and nights.  That He was hungry, is an understatement.  His human body must have also been weakened physically.  Yet, Jesus said that the works He did were the works of His Father. (John 10:32,14:10)  Tempted as He must have been to turn stones into bread, He refused to perform miracles at the command of Satan. 

The devil used scripture to try to deceive when he told Jesus to cast Himself from the pinnacle of the temple.  You can be certain that Satan knows the scriptures, and that he still tries to twist them to cause believers to sin.  That is why we must study the whole wisdom of God and submit to the counsel of the Holy Spirit. 

Satan is a liar. (John 8:44)  He intended to take the kingdoms of the world away, not to give them to Jesus.  If the Son of God had worshiped Satan, He would have lost His birthright to rule the kingdoms of the world with an iron scepter as Messiah. He also would have sinned, and then He could not have been our Savior.    However, He rebuked Satan and sent him away, and God sent angels to care for Jesus. 

There is one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Because He was faithful to the end and died for us, we can have eternal life.  All glory and honor be to God whose love knows no bounds.

 

 

 

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nasb_/matthew/3.htm

[2] https://biblehub.com/nasb_/matthew/4.htm

Praise Report

In an answer to a specific prayer, the Lord has blessed us in a wonderful way today.  We praise Him for His love, kindness, and help.  God is good - all the time!

What do You Believe?

Whether we acknowledge it or not, we all believe in something.  Most of the things we believe in can be verified by our senses.  We can see the sun and feel its warmth, so we believe it exists.  We can hear dogs bark and know they are nearby.  We believe there is a skunk living under the shed because we can smell it.  When we get out of bed in the morning, we believe the floor under our feet will support our weight.

To believe  in something is to accept or regard it as true.[1] If we accept with certainty that something exists or is true[2] we say it is a belief.

Religions, science, and philosophies are organized systems of related beliefs.  They are often ardently championed by their adherents.

Atheists do not believe any deity exists.  The agnostic believes that ultimate reality is not known and may not be knowable.  They are, consequently, not committed to the existence or nonexistence of a deity.  Essentially, the agnostic believes that we can only know with certainty what we perceive with our senses.  Atheism and agnosticism are belief systems.

The skeptic questions facts, attitudes, and beliefs that others say are true.  The skeptic wants to test ideas to see if they are true and tries to accept nothing at face value.  He or she wants proof. For the skeptic, the belief that things must be questioned is axiomatic.  It is their belief system.

What if something cannot be confirmed by observation?  What if it may exist, but it cannot be seen, heard, touched, smelled, or tasted?  What if it is an idea that cannot be verified by scientific experiments?  Freud theorized that the personality includes an Id, Ego, and Superego.  We are told that the universe was formed by a huge, spontaneously occurring explosion billions of years ago.  Did life begin on Earth by spontaneous generation as well?  Have you observed life erupt from a mixture of ocean ooze and sunlight?  Today, scientists are speculating about the existence of dark matter in space.  Sounds okay to me, but where is the conclusive evidence?

A theory is an unproved speculation about reality?  Have any of these widely accepted theories been upheld in a conclusive way?   Light seems to bend in space, and memories long forgotten can be brought back to recall when the brain is stimulated with electrodes.  These observations do not, however, prove with certainty the existence of the unconscious, or subconscious mind, or dark matter.

Some theoretical concepts defy verification.  Nonetheless, to many people these ideas make a lot of sense.  Many believe  they are true simply because learned people say they are.

If we give credence to the unproven speculations of science, philosophy, and political systems, does not fundamental fairness require that we consider the possibility that God exists, too?  If we are skeptical about the Almighty God, must we not at least apply the same degree of rigorous examination to other belief systems?

Knowledgeable Christian apologists have debated unbelievers of all kinds, making the case for our One God in Three Persons … the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  They have shown that creation attests to its Creator, and that over 300 biblical prophesies were fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ.  They have explained the statistical impossibility that the universe and life were spontaneously generated, and that it is virtually impossible for so many prophesies to be fulfilled in one life by accident.  They have revealed the proofs that the Holy Bible is reliable and is an exact representation of the ancient scriptural manuscripts.  The archeological evidence confirming biblical events, and the corroboration of the Bible by ancient secular manuscripts substantiate that the Bible is the truth.  They have demonstrated the internal consistency of the Bible and explained any apparent contradictions in it.  The scope of this post does not permit me to elaborate.  Simply put these apologists have proved the existence of God as he has revealed Himself in the Bible.  There is nothing more I can say that will add to their scholarly arguments.  I can only tell my experience.

From where I sit what Jesus said of the Pharisees may be true of today’s unbelievers as well.  “… You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” (Matthew 23:24 NIV)[3]

God is Spirit, and He is not apprehended by our five senses.  Jesus promised, however, that if we earnestly seek Him we will find Him. (Matthew 7:7-8)  God is not unknown or unknowable.  He has given us the Holy Bible and the Holy Spirit.  Everything that we need to know about God is available to us in His Holy Word.  If we believe in Him, God will cause us to feel His presence and see the result of it in our lives.  If we trust God the Son (Jesus Christ) for our salvation, He will give us His Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, to guide and teach us as we read the Word.

God is real.  I can testify it’s true from my own experience.

How would you like to come into the very presence of Almighty God and worship Him for giving you life everlasting?  Believe in Jesus Christ today and then walk as Jesus walked.

 

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[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/believe

[2] https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/belief

[3] https://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/23.htm