Making your enemies your footstool | Ferrell's Travel Blog

Making your enemies your footstool | Ferrell's Travel Blog:

'via Blog this'

Making your enemies your footstool

Posted on October 21, 2011 by ferrelljenkins| Leave a comment

A common motif found in Ancient Near East reliefs shows a monarch placing his foot on his enemy. One illustration of this is the large relief showing the Assyrian King Tiglath-Pileser III (reigned 745-727 B.C.) with his foot on the neck of an enemy. Tiglath-Pileser III is known as Pul in the Bible.

Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem paid him a thousand talents of silver to gain his support and to solidify his control of the kingdom. (2 Kings 15:19 NET)

So the God of Israel stirred up King Pul of Assyria (that is, King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria), and he carried away the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh and took them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan, where they remain to this very day. (1 Chronicles 5:26 NET)

The Assyrian relief below is displayed in the British Museum.

Tiglath-Pileser III Subjugates an Enemy. British Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Here is a closeup of what we are seeking to illustrate.

Tiglath-Pileser III Puts His Foot on the Neck of an Enemy. BM. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Several biblical passages come to mind in this connection.

When they brought the kings out to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the commanders of the troops who accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came up and put their feet on their necks. (Joshua 10:24 NET)

Here is the LORD’s proclamation to my lord: “Sit down at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool!” (Psalm 110:1 NET)

Peter quotes Psalm 110:1 to show that Jesus is now seated on the throne of David at the right hand of God (Acts 2:35).

And Paul says,

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. (1 Corinthians 15:25 NET)

The last enemy is death (1 Corinthians 15:26).

Are You Happy?

"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world."

1Tim. 6:7    

In a world of competitiveness, it is hard to be content. After all, we all want to strive for better and to better our status, position, or lifestyles.  While  this is not wrong, we need to understand that it can also become a trap.  For instance, fill in the blanks below... 

“When I am ___________, then I’ll be happy.”

“When I have ___________, then I’ll be happy.”

We may actually be content for a little while when we get whatever we put in the blanks above. However, it will not last. Someone or something else will come along, that will make us want that, or something else, and the contentment dissolves from our lives. Why then can't we find happiness? Why can't we get to that point of contentment?

For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 

1 Jn.2:16,17

We often focus on what we don’t have and forget the many wonderful things we do have. In doing so, we forget that there are far more important things, such as family, friends, health, and most important of all - a Godly spirit. Happiness isn’t getting what you want, it is being happy with what you have. The key to understanding contentment, is recognizing that you have the choice to be happy right now with the many things God has already given us. Appreciation for what I have is the first step to being happy.

 What are you waiting on to make you happy? Maybe you should look at what you already have.


Jim

BiblePlaces Blog: Bronze Age Cemetery in Jerusalem

BiblePlaces Blog: Bronze Age Cemetery in Jerusalem:

'via Blog this'

Back in 2006 we reported on the excavation of an ancient cemetery underneath the location of the Holyland Hotel’s model of Jerusalem. At the time we knew only what we could see, but now publication of the excavations provides more details. Haaretz gives a popular account of the article published in Kadmoniot.

No less than 80 graves were found in the area, in which, according to the archaeologists' estimates, some 210 bodies were buried. Luckily, unlike most burial caves throughout the country, the Holyland caves were not broken into or raided prior to the scholars' arrival, allowing them to find many whole items that shed light on life and death in Jerusalem during the Bronze Age.

Thus, for example, one of the caves revealed the grave of a warrior of the period. His skeleton was laid out in a supine position, with his personal belongings and gifts for the afterlife positioned near his head. Among other things, his "battle kit" was discovered, as one of the article's authors put it - including an axe, a wide copper belt and a dagger. Also unearthed nearby were a number of delicate yet whole clay utensils.

For Greenhut, the axe was a particularly exciting find. Some 19 years earlier, in 1987, he had worked on an excavation site just beneath the hill, at the current spot of the popular Malha shopping mall, where he discovered the exact same axe. "Apparently it was made at the same workshop, by the same blacksmith; it is the other axe's twin," Greenhut says.

[...]

An excavation carried out at the site recently, in preparation for the project's next stage, also revealed artifacts from a much earlier time - the Chalcolithic Period, dating from 6,500 years ago.

The full story is here. For photos, see our 2006 post.

HT: Joseph Lauer

Home

The God Pocket by Bruce Wilkinson « Get Reading Now

The God Pocket by Bruce Wilkinson « Get Reading Now:

'via Blog this'

The God Pocket by Bruce Wilkinson

Leave a commentGo to comments

1 Vote

Title of Book: The God Pocket

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9znoKMbU9k

Bruce Wilkinson with David Kopp. Bruce Wilkinson is the author of the N.Y. Times #1 Bestseller “The Prayer of Jabez and other bestsellers, including You WereBorn for This, Secrets of the Vine, and The Dream Giver. He is a popular Christian teacher and the founder of initiatives to train Bible teachers in every nation and to address pressing needs in Africa. Bruce and his wife (Darlene Marie) Live near Atlanta.

ISBN Number:

Publisher: Multnomah Books, 12265 Oracle Blvd, Suite #200, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

Genre/Market: Christian, Spiritual, Life Lessons, Pay it Forward

Publication Date: 2011, by Exponential Inc

Book Length: 124 Pages

Price:

Soft copy

5 Out of 5 points

Headline for Book Review: It is in giving you shall receive, it can be your time, talents, money or almost anything.

Quote: “I’ve been carrying around some of God’s Money.”

This book was given in advanced by Multnomah Books for my honest review. I am a Christian whom loves to read about God or anything to do with Christianity so this was a fabulous and easy to read book. I loved this book most because it is like a “pay it forward.”

What Bruce explains is that we are partners with God and we should always have some spare change or dollars in a special pouch to be able to help others in need as you go about your day.

Take these steps for your God Pocket or pouch:

1. Decided in advanced how much money you are going to place in it.
2. Devote that money directly to God.
3. Deposit the money into the Pocket.
4. Depend on God to lead you to the person who needs it or needs “God Nudge.”
5. Deliver God’s funds to the recipient.
6. Declare that God is the Ultimate giver whom provided the funds.
7. Disciple the person who receives the God Pocket to become a delivery agent themselves.
8. Share your experiences as you have blessed others through this method.
9. Recommend this book or buy a few to give away to help them “pay it forward.”

I think this is a marvelous way to share the gospel of God and to glorify God. I have donated money and given money to others in need myself, even when my funds were very low. I once gave away my last 20.00 and found out that the kid had no gas money and a wife and baby in his car. It is in giving that we receive. The blessings go beyond our natural inclinations.

Copyright @ 2011 written by Jackie Paulson

Are We Worthy of Jesus?

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."

Lk.14:26

This seems to be a harsh statement - a demanding statement, and it is. It is a fact, that if you are faced with a choice between loyalty to HIM and loyalty to your father or mother, sister or brother, you must choose Jesus. As His disciples have said before us, "Master, this is a difficult saying, who can hear it?" (Jn.6:60)  All of the disciples of Jesus were faced with this choice, and we are given records of the reactions of two of them. Judas was subjected to this choice and chose his own interests. When his interests went awry and he realizes what serving his own interests had fostered, he still serves his own interests by taking his own life.  Peter is subjected to this choice and chooses his own interests. After Jesus is arrested and taken to the High Priest, Peter is in the outer courtyard warming his hands by the fire. Someone says, “Aren’t you one of his disciples?” Peter chose his own interests and denies the Lord. Yet, he sees what his decision fosters and weeps bitterly. He then repents and changes, and becomes the Peter we are familiar with in Acts and the Epistles.

You and I face the same decision every day at school, work, among our friends, even within our families. We love our families - mothers, fathers, children, wives, husbands, etc. We read Lk.14:26 and may think that Jesus appears ruthless as he commands you to give preference to Him over anyone else, including the greatest love of your life, your best friend, even your own mother.

Jesus is not saying we cannot love others or make others a priority in our lives. He is saying though that HE should be your highest priority. Is that so much when we consider that HE gave his life for us?

What are some Signs Jesus may not be the highest priority in my life?

• There are Jesus things and secular things. I can keep them separate.
• TRUTH? Serving God, serving Jesus is a 24/7 life (Rm.12:1,2). When He calls you to serve Him, and it is right at the same time that a family member demands our attention, will you choose HIM over them? 
• I might miss out on something if I make Jesus my highest priority.
• TRUTH? Yes, you are right. You will. If you are choosing the "something" over Jesus, then clearly you DO NOT love Him, or the Father who sent Him (Mt.10:37).
• Two people can share my highest loyalty: Jesus and _________.
• TRUTH? Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.(Mt.6:24)." 

The scripture states, "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (Col.1:18)." 

Who or what gets the highest priority in your life?

Jim

David played the harp for Saul and for the LORD | Ferrell's Travel Blog

David played the harp for Saul and for the LORD | Ferrell's Travel Blog:

'via Blog this'

David played the harp for Saul and for the LORD

Posted on September 26, 2011 by ferrelljenkins| Leave a comment

As a young man David became well known in the royal household and was called upon to play the harp (Hebrew kinnor; often English lyre) for King Saul.

So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him. (1 Samuel 16:23 NAU)

The statue in our photo is near the “Tomb of David” and the room of the Last Supper on the traditional Mount Zion in Jerusalem.

Statue of King David playing the harp (Jerusalem). Photo by F. Jenkins.

David called upon the harp and lyre to awake. He said, “I will awaken the dawn!.”

A Song, a Psalm of David. My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul. Awake, harp and lyre; I will awaken the dawn! I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, And Your glory above all the earth. That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and answer me! (Psalm 108:1-6 NAU)

David was later described as “the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1).

HE HAD COMPASSION!

HE HAD COMPASSION!

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” 

Matthew 9:36–38

Compassion - harassed - helpless. These are all words that evoke emotions, and in this instance, used by Matthew to move the reader into feeling the same compassion for others as Jesus did for the crowd that day. More than a mere broken heart, Jesus was moved to extraordinary compassion when he saw so many people beaten down by life, facing problems and they they didn’t even know where to go for help (Matthew 9:36). He then looks to His disciples and states, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” 

Even today, there are so many people who need relief—who need to know and experience God’s compassion. Yet, they don't know where to turn. Jesus understood that it is humanly impossible to be in more than one place at once and so He asks YOU  -  "I need you to help with this harvest” 

Jesus calls us to join him in his work. He calls us to pray that others will join us in this work. God has given us His love and compassion so we can minister to those who are harassed, helpless and beaten down by life (Eph.4:16; 2 Tm.2:2; Tit.1:9).   We carry the good news that Jesus helps us overcome the heartache of our circumstances and tribulations.

I am amazed though at how unmoved many are. Many who are Christians never take the initiative to show, share, lead and extend what they KNOW to be the answer of life's problems to others. YOU know the answer! Can you then claim to be Jesus' disciple and NOT share that answer?

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." 

Isa.6:8

Jim