aday.jpg (326�388)

aday.jpg (326�388)

This is another cute cartoon. - Jim

cartoon: religious eggs | nakedpastor

cartoon: religious eggs | nakedpastor

This is cute and true! - Jim

Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens | Ferrell's Travel Blog

Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens | Ferrell's Travel Blog

For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. (Act 17:23 ESV)

http://www.evangelism.net/4-barriers-to-healthy-church-growth.htm

Good article worthy of reading!

Jim

Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone

Matt. 4:3,4: Lk.4:3,4

And when the tempter (The Devil) came to Him, he said, If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But He answered and said, It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God (that proceeds out of the mouth of God.")

This passage has always fascinated me, ever since I began studying the Bible. The temptation to command the stones be made bread is one that to the common person makes sense. You're hungry, so why not eat. After all, you've been in the wilderness, fasted a very long time and after all, you have the power to do it. So, why not? After all, IF you are the Son of God then you should be able to.

Jesus answers this by quoting the sum of Deut.8:1-3 ""Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God (that proceeds out of the mouth of God.")."

Let's look further at Deut.8:1-3. Deuteronomy was written to the 2nd generation of Israel to come out of Egypt. The children and grandchildren of the original group that came out of the Exodus.

"All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to give to your forefathers. You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD."

This was a reminder to them to remember God and what God had done and provided for them in His grace over the years that they had wandered in the wilderness. To remember that there is a difference between NEED and WANT, and that just because I WANT something does not make it God's Will that I get it or have it. Whether we wish to admit it or not, our existence itself is by the sheer will of God. Neh.9:6 states, "You alone are the LORD, Creator of the heavens and all the stars, Creator of the earth and those who live on it, Creator of the ocean and all its creatures. You are the source of life (AMP You preserve them all, NASB You give life to all of them, YLT Thou art keeping all of them alive) praised by the stars that fill the heavens."

Thus, for me to state that I WANT something, without considering God's Will in it, is a foolish thing. There isn't anything that I have, that God has NOT provided. Air to breath, food to eat, shelter over my head, my health, etc. One might try to argue, that these are man's to do with what he wants. Heb.1:3 states, "upholding all that exists by his powerful word.." Once again, if God upholds ALL that exists, then doesn't it make sense that I should consider what HE wants me to do in all things?

Jesus responds to Satan, that man doesn't live by bread alone. He lives by God's will and as such, should live by the words which God has spoken (Heb.1:1-3; Jn.12:48). We should remember every day all that God has done for us, brought to us, given to us and in thanks - live by the Word that He in His Grace has also given us.

Next time, we'll explore further into these text and responses to see what else we can learn.

Jim

Rev.3:20 - Inviting Jesus Into Your Heart

Found this on Parchment and Pen's Blog - very interesting article!!

Inviting Jesus into your Heart (Dan Wallace)

~ Dan Wallace ~

In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he [will dine] with me.” The crucial phrase for our purposes is “I shall come in to him.” This text has often been taken as a text offering salvation to a lost sinner. Such a view is based on two assumptions: (1) that the Laodiceans, or at least some of them, were indeed lost, and (2) that the Greek εισελεύσομαι πρό means “come into.”

Both of these assumptions, however, are based on little evidence. Further, the resultant notion is anything but clear. To invite Christ into one’s heart is hardly a clear picture of the gospel.

Regarding the idea that those in the Laodicean church were not believers, note that in the preceding verse, the resurrected Lord declares, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline.” Here φιλέω is used for “love”—a term that is never used of God/Jesus loving unbelievers in the NT. This φιλέω is applied to the Laodiceans here, for the verse concludes, “Be zealous, therefore, and repent.” The inferential ‘therefore’ connects the two parts of the verse, indicating that the Laodiceans are to repent because Christ loves (φιλέω) them!

The second assumption is that εισελεύσομαι πρό means ‘come into.’ Such an assumption is based on a less than careful reading of the English text. The ASV, NASB, RSV, NRSV, for example, all correctly render it ‘come in to.’ (Note the space between the prepositions.) The idea of ‘come into’ would be expressed with είς as the independent preposition and would suggest a penetration into the person (thus, spawning the idea of entering into one’s heart). However, spatially πρό means toward, not into. In all eight instances of εισοέρχομαι πρό in the NT, the meaning is ‘come in toward/before a person’ (i.e., enter a building, house, room, etc., so as to be in the presence of someone), never penetration into the person himself/herself. In some instances, such a view would not only be absurd, but inappropriate (cf. M ark 6:25; 15:43; Luke 1:28; Acts 10:3; 11:3; 16:40; 17:2; 28:8).

What, then, is this verse is affirming? First, it is not an offering of salvation. The implications of this are manifold. Among other things, to use this text as a salvation verse is a perversion of the simplicity of the gospel. Many people have allegedly “received Christ into their hearts” without understanding what that means or what the gospel means. Although this verse is picturesque, it actually muddies the waters of the truth of salvation. Reception of Christ is a consequence, not a condition, of salvation. Second, as far as the positive meaning of this verse, it may refer to Christ having supremacy in the assembly or even to an invitation (and, consequently, a reminder) to believers to share with him in the coming kingdom. Either way, it is not a verse about salvation at all, for the Laodiceans were already saved.

Does this mean that those who have come to faith in Christ via Rev 3:20 are not saved? This answer needs some nuancing. First, if they have truly put their faith in Christ, and they understand that he alone can save them from their sins, then of course they are saved. The problem is that many people cling to the symbol but never understand the reality it is intended to represent. Hundreds of thousands of people have “invited Christ into [their] hearts,” thinking that a mystical experience is what saves them. Then, they go on their merry way, living their lives as they did before. If you were to ask them, “How do you know that you are going to heaven?” they would respond, “Because I invited Christ into my heart.” But if you probe, there is nothing beneath the shallowness of that reply. They did what someone told them to do, but never really embraced the Savior.

What then should we say when we are trying to lead someone to Christ? I think a better picture is simply what the New Testament uses as its normative word– πίστι/πιστεύω. The noun form (πίστι) can be translated ‘faith,’ ‘belief,’ or ‘trust.’ The verb can be translated ‘I believe,’ ‘I have faith,’ ‘I trust.’ In some contexts the object of belief is emphasized (namely, Christ); in other contexts, the kind of belief is emphasized (namely, a genuine trust, an embracing). Thus, πίστι has this twofold force of content and conviction. To be saved, one must have the right object of faith (content); and one must truly put his trust entirely in that object (conviction).

If it causes us some measure of panic to have to use other than Revelation 3:20 when we share the gospel, keep in mind that the earliest Christians did not have this verse. Revelation is the last book of the Bible to be written. How was it possible for Peter and Paul and James to ever see anyone get saved without this verse? They never had it! But if I read the book of Acts correctly, they had a measure of success in sharing the gospel even in spite of this handicap.

Does God want us to cast our burdens on Him even if their burdens we have created?

Does God want us to cast our burdens on Him even if their burdens we have created?

The passage referred to is 1 Pet.5:7. Study of the context of the passage will tell us what we should know...

1Pe 5:6-8 Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time he may lift you up. Throw all your anxieties upon him, because he cares about you. Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

The first thing you notice, is the passage refers to humility. Defined, this is is the quality of being modest, reverential, even politely submissive, and never being arrogant, contemptuous. The passage beckons us to humble ourselves before God. So, in first response to your question, if the situation is one that I have created, it would depend upon my attitude. Is my attitude one of "Hey God - Guess what, I'm here again. Now get down here and help me out" -- then the answer to my prayer and behest of God is going to be a flat NO! Because until I learn humility, "God opposes the arrogant, but to the humble he gives grace." James 4:6

If my attitude is, "not even raise his eyes toward heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God! Have mercy on me, sinner that I am!' (Lke.1813), then the answer would be yes, God would look upon my anxiety and strive to help and be gracious.

The second part to this, is that God does care for us, even when we walk into the devil's jaws. He does not promise us that we will not be hurt, suffer consequences, or even have to wallow in the manure of sin for a while before we come to understand what God offers and that what He offers is not to be taken for granted (Lk.15:11-32)

Third - Notice vs.8. Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Sober here means just that - the opposite of drunk! Not drunk as in intoxicated, but to keep my mind clear at all times. To not allow my thinking to become mottled with intoxicants, life, sin, or anything else that will cause me to drop my guard. Because when I do, that is when Satan will attack and temptation will be least likely to be resisted. I am to stay alert so that I can see what is going on around me at all times, and so that I can see clearly the dangers in front of me and avoid them. It doesn't take too many times stubbing toes in the dark and running headlong into sharp cornered furniture in the dark to realize that it is better to navigate the room with the light on.

We are all prodigal sons at some point, gathered all together, and taking our journeys into a far country, and there wasted our substance and ourselves with riotous and reckless living. It is the HUMBLE, that come to their senses, realize what they have given up, what they have done, and returning to their Father. These are the ones that God seeks.

The Bible - and False Teachers and Militant Reaction

Militant Religion has always been a dangerous thing. Radicalism on any part can lead to the adaptation of stances that cause harm to many, and prejudice against any who don't conform. This is seen in many places in history, from Hitler to the KKK, to Radical Islam. We cringe at these, yet, often do not stop to consider ourselves.

The Torah (written law or first 5 books of Moses) warns against listening to the false teacher or prophet in Dt.13:1-3. Yet, have you considered that Dt.18:20 specifically states that the false prophet should die.

Other passages in the NEVI'IM or the Prophets that mention punishment regarding the False Prophet are Jer.14:13-16; 20:6; 28:16-17; Jer.29:32; Zec.13:3 All of them, mention that the one guilty of such practices is to be put to death.

The Talmud, the most significant collection of the Jewish oral tradition interpreting the Torah adapts a stance that if read openly today, would rank with militant Imams of Islam today. Among the more radical of the Rabinnical teachings, The Schulchan Aruch, written by Joseph Caro (1488-1575). Choszen Hamiszapt 425.5. "Those who do not confess the Torah and the Prophets must be killed. Who has the power to kill them, let them kill them openly with the sword. If not, let them use artifices, till they are done away with."

Therefore, it is likely that the Jews of Nazareth in Luke 4, Mt.13 and Mk.6 felt totally justified in what they were doing with Jesus.

Luke 4:28,29 On hearing this, everyone in the synagogue was filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of town and dragged him to the edge of the cliff on which their town was built, intending to throw him off.

However, what becomes wrong is that they do not consider any evidence that they could be presented with, no do they take the time to weigh the statements or claims given by Jesus with any actual study or proof. They simply react with hostility. The Torah specifically taught (Num.15:30-31,36; Deut13:6-10; 17:2-13) that two to three witnesses were required to verify the accusation before one could be put to death. To simply react with hostility and prejudicial towards anyone, without fair hearing and trial of evidence, has never been God's way.

We do not like what we see in the world today with radical extremism. It makes the world a very unpleasant place to live and fosters ungodliness in many forms. The warning I believe of the scripture, of God, and to the world is to be careful lest there exist within us the same type of heart.

2 Cor 6:17,18 "Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

Royal theater box at the Herodium | Ferrell's Travel Blog

Royal theater box at the Herodium | Ferrell's Travel Blog

Monday, September 20, 2010

AN ANCIENT SAMARITAN SYNAGOGUE has been excavated in Bet She'an (Bet Shean, Beit Shean):

Archaeologists in Israel Find a 1,500 Year Old Samaritan Synagogue

JERUSALEM.- The remains of a synagogue and farmstead that operated in the Late Byzantine period, which were unknown until now, were exposed in an archaeological excavation conducted on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Ministry of Construction and Housing, prior to enlarging a residential quarter south of Bet Sheʽan, c. one half kilometer west of the Jordan Valley highway (Route 90).

[...]

The building that was exposed consisted of a rectangular hall (5 x 8 meters), the front of which faces southwest, toward Mount Gerizim, which is sacred to Samaritans. Five rectangular recesses were built in the walls of the prayer hall in which wooden benches were probably installed. The floor of the hall was a colorful mosaic, decorated with a geometric pattern. In the center of the mosaic is a Greek inscription, of which a section of its last line was revealed:
T[]OUTON NEWN
meaning “This is the temple”.

[...]

POSTED BY JIM DAVILA | 4:55 PM

http://paleojudaica.blogspot.com/2010_09_19_archive.html#2117035041078549576

John Maxwell - Thoughts on Leadership

Here's an article worth reading! Check it out!!

http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/2010/09/20/change-your-thinking-change-your-life/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+JohnMaxwellOnLeadership+(John+Maxwell+on+Leadership)