A BIT OF HUMOR

One day, a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country 
with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a 
couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor 
family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the 
trip?"

"It was great, Dad."

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah," said the son.

"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered, "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool 
that reaches to the middle of our garden, and they have a creek that has no end. 
We have imported lanterns in our garden, and they have the stars at night. Our 
patio reaches to the front yard, and they have the whole horizon. We have a 
small piece of land to live on, and they have fields that go beyond our sight. 
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they 
grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends 
to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

[forwarded by Fayella Horn]

MIKEYSFUNNIES.COM

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

Someone To Pour Your Life Into

Howard Hendricks, author and professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, suggests that every person should seek to have three individuals in their life: a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy.

A Paul is an older person who is willing to mentor you, to build into your life. Not someone who's smarter or more gifted than you, but somebody who's been down the road. Somebody willing to share their strengths and weaknesses – everything they have learned in the laboratory of life. Somebody whose faith you'll want to imitate.

A Barnabas is a soul brother, somebody who loves you but is not impressed by you. Somebody to whom you can be accountable. Somebody who's willing to keep you honest, who's willing to say, "Hey, man, you're neglecting your wife, and don't give me any guff!"

A Timothy is a younger person into whose life you are building. For a model, read 1 and 2 Timothy. Here was Paul, the quintessential mentor, building into the life of his protégée - affirming, encouraging, teaching, correcting, directing, praying.

Do you have these three guys in your life?

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their

labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up!"

(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

…..The Daily Encourager (dlangerfeld@harrisburgbaptist.org) by way of “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)

GOD'S GREAT GIFT OF HUMOR

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4

The Irish are known for their wit and the ability to tell a great story. It is an art that has been practiced for centuries, from the times when oral tradition was the main means for passing on knowledge and wisdom. Humor is a uniquely human gift. It is the art of seeing something “in between the lines,” the gift of surprise that can only be expressed with laughter.

Humor is at its best when it reveals something healthy, something that unmasks a hidden truth. In its best forms, it produces a release of tension and a recognition of mutual understandings. With this in mind, let me share a little Irish humor with you.

“Father Murphy walks into a pub in Donegal, and asks the first man he meets, ‘Do you want to go to heaven?’

The man said, ‘I do, Father.’

The priest said, ‘Then stand over there against the wall.’

Then the priest asked the second man, ‘Do you want to go to heaven?’

‘Certainly, Father.’ the man replied.

‘Then stand over there against the wall,’ said the priest.

Then Father Murphy walked up to O’Toole and asked, ‘Do you want to go to heaven?’

O’Toole said, ‘No, I don’t Father.’

The priest said, ‘I don’t believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you don’t want to go to heaven?’

O’Toole said, ‘Oh, when I die, yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go right now.’”

Now, that’s funny on its surface, but it is revealing a deeper truth too, doesn’t it. O’Toole is living under the same assumption that many of us do. He thinks that death is not near, that it’s threat is still a long ways off and he can continue to live as he has, putting off the worry to put his life in order until that still distant day draws near. He is us, isn’t he. He hasn’t yet understood that death can come at any time, any moment, and we must be prepared for it at ALL TIMES.

Our lives have a God-given meaning that is unique, yet universal as well. Paul tells us in his First Letter to the Corinthians that we all are given gifts by the Spirit. Some are given the gift of wisdom, others of knowledge. Some are given deep faith and others the gift of healing. Still others are given the gift of tongues, or the interpretation of tongues. All of these come from the same Spirit and are given for purposes beyond the individual. All of these gifts are given not just for the individual’s well-being, but to be used in service of others, in service of the moral good. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

This little joke above, gives us a moment of healthy laughter, but it also give us an opportunity to think about something very important to the health of our eternal souls. How prepared are we for the inevitable reality of death? Do we want to go to heaven? Are we living in accord with the gifts we have been given? Do we give thanks to God for these gifts by using them as tools to improve our own lives? Do we use them for the good of others in service to God?

We answer those questions most honestly if we see that we often fall short. By keeping our eyes on God, and on the ultimate meaning of our existence, i.e. to know, to love, and to serve Him in this world, so that we can live with Him forever in the next, we will be true to ourselves, and to our unique God-given gifts. If we honor our gifts by using them in service of the good, unlike O’Toole in the joke above, we will be ready at all times to go to heaven.

Dan Doyle is a retired professor of English and Humanities. He taught 13 years at the high school level and 22 years at the university level. He spends his time now babysitting his granddaughter. He is a poet and a blogger as well. Dan holds an AA degree in English Literature, a BA in Comparative Literature, and an MA in Theology. To read more of Dan’s work, click here.

http://jesus-loves-you.org/gods-great-gift-of-humor/#ymE13Id9Bw6Gx9bS.99

PHILIPPIANS 2:5-8 BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY

Philippians 2:5-8

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross!

 

Thoughts on today's verse

 

"Lord, humble us gently." That is one of my friend's favorite prayers. I like it, too. But thank God that Jesus was not gently humbled. While I hate he had to go through agony, his self-emptying humility the fact that was stark, bold, drastic, and outrageous. But I am to have this same attitude when it comes to reaching the lost and loving God's children.

 

Prayer:

 

God, you are all-powerful and yet you emptied yourself to redeem me. May I be more selfless in my attitude and treatment of others, like Jesus was with me. In his name, I pray. Amen.

Visit heartlight.org

http://www.christianity.com/devotionals/heartlight-daily-verse-phil-ware/heartlight-daily-verse-4-or-28-557870.html

LOVING LIKE GOD DOES ... ISN'T THAT EASY

“We cannot separate love for God from love for man. We acknowledge God easily, but our brother? Those with whom we do not identify in their background, education, race, complexion? We could not have imagined that love for God could be so hard.” -Edith Stein

As Christians, if we are comfortable there might be something wrong. To be a Christian, in imitation of Christ, is to attract the attention of those who consider themselves enemies of God. It was that way in the time of Christ and it is the same today.

We cannot say that we love God, if we are unable to honor the infinite dignity of any other human being; if we abandon, or ignore others; if we judge another human person by something as irrational as the color of their skin, or their status in society; if we diminish their value as a person in any way, we cannot say that we love God.

If we fear, or hate any one of God’s children, how can we love God? Are we not hypocrites if we place ourselves above others while, at the same time, claiming to be followers of the One, “Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8)

More importantly, if we refuse to forgive others, we fail in our Christian duty to live as sons and daughters of God, brothers of Jesus, and temples of the Holy Spirit. For to imitate Jesus is to know that forgiveness is the power of love in a sinful world.

It is true, this love of God is not easy. It requires of us the courage and the faith of saints. To live as Jesus lived is to suffer the slings and arrows of those who will despise us because we shed the light of compassion on their own dark lives. But in the end, to live as Jesus lived is the only true path to a world that is truly just and compassionate.

At this Advent time of the year we are challenged to renew our love for God, to once again prepare the way for the Lord in our personal lives and in our public lives in the world.

The only thing we must fear is our falling short of loving God with our whole hearts, minds, bodies and souls. We know that God’s love for us is creative, merciful, unconditional, and eternal. Sure, forgiving the sinner, healing the sick, lifting up the lowly will be difficult. But with God’s love, and a little bit of faith, we can, “tell a mountain to move from here to there.” (Matthew 17:20)

Because we cannot separate the love of God from the love of man, and because the world is still not friendly to the love of God it is never “easy” to be a faithful follower of Christ. On the other hand, loving God by loving his sons and daughters, no matter how difficult that may be, is the only choice worthy of a human person made in the image and likeness of God.

Dan Doyle is a retired professor of English and Humanities. He taught 13 years at the high school level and 22 years at the university level. He spends his time now babysitting his granddaughter. He is a poet and a blogger as well. Dan holds an AA degree in English Literature, a BA in Comparative Literature, and an MA in Theology. To read more of Dan’s work, click here.

http://jesus-loves-you.org/loving-like-god-does-isnt-that-easy/#Luv0BA4ldAYKGlQf.99

A BIT OF HUMOR

When I was a kid adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes 
about how hard things were when they were growing up.
 
What with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning uphill both ways 
through year 'round blizzards carrying their younger siblings on their backs to 
their one-room schoolhouse where they maintained a straight-A average despite 
their full-time after-school job at the local textile mill where they worked for 
35 cents an hour just to help keep their family from starving to death!
 
And I remember promising myself that when I grew up there was no way I was going 
to lay that on kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it!
 
But ...
 
Now that I've reached the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help but look around 
and notice the youth of today.
 
You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a Utopia! 
And I hate to say it but you kids today don't know how good you've got it!
 
I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have the Internet. If we wanted to know 
something, we had to go to the library and look it up ourselves!
 
And there was no email! We had to actually write somebody a letter, with a pen! 
And then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox 
and it would take like a week to get there!
 
And there were no MP3s or Napsters! If you wanted to steal music, you had to go 
to the record store and shoplift it yourself! Or, we had to wait around all day 
to tape it off the radio and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and 
mess it all up!
 
You want to hear about hardship?
 
We didn't have fancy stuff like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and 
somebody else called, they got a busy signal!
 
And we didn't have fancy Caller ID Boxes either! When the phone rang, you had no 
idea who it was, it could be your boss, your Mom, a collections agent, you 
didn't know!!!
 
You just had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!
 
And we didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation videogames with high-resolution 
3-D graphics!
 
We had the Atari 2600! With games like "Space Invaders" and "Asteroids"! Your 
guy was a little square! You had to use your imagination! And there were no 
multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen forever!
 
And you could never win, the game just kept getting harder and faster until you 
died!
 
Just like LIFE!
 
When you went to the movie theater, there was no such thing as stadium seating! 
All the seats were the same height! If a tall guy sat in front of you, you 
watched his hairstyle!
 
And sure, we had cable television, but back then that was only like 20 channels 
and there was no onscreen menu! You had to use a little book called a TV Guide 
to find out what was on!
 
And there was no Cartoon Network! You could only get cartoons on Saturday 
morning... D'ya hear what I'm saying!?!
 
We had to wait ALL WEEK!
 
That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy. 
You're spoiled!
 
You guys wouldn't last five minutes back in 1984!

[forwarded by www.SermonFodder.com]

============================

Have you noticed that when someone says "To make a long story short..." it's 
generally too late?

=======================================

MIKEYSFUNNIES

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

WHERE ANGELS WALK

Question: How do you know when your time on earth is over?
Answer: If you're breathing, it isn't.

Hello, friends. I'm not sure where I heard the above query, but it makes sense. There is always a job to do in the kingdom, even if it is simply to be the object of someone's love.

Jan puts it another way. "About four years ago, I went on a cruise to Alaska," she says. "We were on our way home to Louisiana, but when I reached San Jose, I felt my front passenger wheel acting oddly. I immediately pulled off to the side, called AAA and reported a flat tire on the truck's front side."

Soon a policeman came down the freeway and pulled over next to Jan. "It's okay, Officer, Jan leaned out her window. "I called AAA about my flat. They're be here soon."

The officer was looking at Jan's front wheel. "Miss, you don't have a flat," he said, his face pale. "You're missing a WHEEL."

"What?" Jan couldn't imagine what he meant, and so she got out and looked at the truck front. There was no wheel there. "The wheel drum, brake line, the tire and wheel"...everything that had once been there was gone," says Jan. "I had to have been going at least fifty miles an hour but no one around me was hurt."

Jan knows that God is always protecting her, and perhaps angels were holding up the truck so it didn't flip. But the near-miss made her aware of something even more special: "Guess I still have His work to do,"she says.

Don't we all?
…..Joan Wester Anderson (joan@joanwanderson.com) by way of “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net New readers are invited to join Joan’s mailing list here: http://www.joanwanderson.com

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO STAND FIRM WITH POWER

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO STAND FIRM WITH POWER?

WRITTEN BY SHIRLEY RHODES

THE POWER OF GOD’S GRACE STANDS FIRM WITH ALL HIS CHILDREN (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)

This question may seem strange to some; Do You Have What it takes to Stand Firm with Power? In all actuality it is a defining question if your goal is to live out your created purpose. The Christian journey is an opportunity to share life’s teachings, so don’t waste time needlessly because your journey is Godgiven, your destination is where you’ll spend eternity.

When you make the decision to follow Jesus your life takes on a different meaning, there will be life changes that often seem unbearable, you lose many “friends” and often members of your own family may withdraw because they have not yet been able to grasp the entire picture.

THOUGHTS ON DISCOVERING LIFE CHANGES OF A SERVANT (PHOTO BY SHIRLEY RHODES)

A servant, a follower of Jesus can expect hard times, tough times, hard work and dedication, but learn to take it all in joy knowing the purpose of their calling.  The servant or follower is encouraged to reach out to the lost and those seeking to know more about this wonderful relationship so graciously offered.

Remember the Great Commission as Jesus instructed: “Go into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) We are to familiarize ourselves with this thought; “to every creature” so that everyone may know their freedom has been brought and paid for in full by a resurrected Savior.

Once you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit the question, Do You Have What it takes to Stand Firm with Power should become a part of who you are in Christ.  Remember when Jesus called the Twelvetogether, how he gave them power and authority and to proclaim the kingdom of God? (Luke 9:1-7 NIV)that same power lives today in true believers because it is God given.

In order to work under the anointing of the Holy Spirit your character must be that of clear thinking, gentleness, holiness, and honest love. We are called to work, as believers we become one body in Christ and all power was given to Jesus by God for Jesus so stated: “His Father have given him powerover all flesh “(John 17:2) through his sacrifice we are able to share in that gift. Through him we are encouraged to use our gifts as instruments of peace sharing his gospel with others. Do you have what it takes to stand firm with power?

Stand Firm (Photo credit: WELS.net)

For we are many members in one body, and all members have not the same office (Romans 12:4),knowing this gives each of us the opportunity to develop and enhance whatever that gift is to draw the lost, it may be a gift of  prophecy, ministry, or  teaching, whatever your calling is prepare your hearts and spirit for opposition. Always remember God has created and assigned you with purpose; therefore, as long as you’re in Christ Jesus nothing or no one can tear you down, but the attempt will be made. In your weakest moments, trials and struggles, do you have what it takes to stand firm with power?

Jesus is your Master, salvation comes through him, inobedience and faith embrace his teachings, follow his pattern for life and you’ll never regret one moment because your destination is not earthly but heavenly (eternal). Dedicate your entire being before God, and watch how he changes you from inside out, how he is able to bring the very best in you to the surface. Put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18),  when you’re confronted with discouragement and find yourself wondering, do you have what it takes to stand firm with power, you’ll know the answer at the appointed time.

http://vineandbranchworldministries.com/2013/04/26/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-stand-firm-with-power/

HEBREWS 7:25 BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY

Hebrews 7:25

Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

 

Thoughts on today's verse

 

Jesus didn't just come and die for us. He wasn't raised only to give us life. No, as incredible as those gifts are, he adds another until he can come and take us home to God: Jesus lives to ask God for grace in our behalf.

 

Prayer:

 

Precious Savior, my Jesus, how I love you. You sacrificed heaven for me. You gave up dignity to redeem me. You destroyed death to assure me. But today, I am most thankful and most aware that every prayer I make, every step I take, you are in the Father's presence to bless me. Thank you. Amen.

Visit heartlight.org

PHIL WARE

http://www.christianity.com/devotionals/heartlight-daily-verse-phil-ware/

WALKIN' IN MY BOOTS

Listen with RealAudio!

    The memories catch me by surprise. My children are older now, in high school and college, but the wonderful moments we shared in their early childhood bubble to the surface, bringing me a sudden burst of reactivated joy! One of those memories brought a chuckle to me recently.

    Our daughter Megan had a real fascination with my footwear. “Shoose, daddy, shoose!” One of my favorite footwear memories involved her putting on my cowboy boots. But putting on those old boots wasn’t easy for her:

    First, her legs weren’t as long as the boots were tall. She had to drag the boots over to the couch and turn them so that she could slide off the couch and land in the boots.

    Second, her feet weren’t nearly big enough. They rattled around in those boots like a marble in a shoebox, making it incredibly hard for her to control the direction the boots pointed.

    Finally, when she dropped into the boots, the tops of them curling up over her diaper, they weighed much more than she could lift off the ground. She looked like she had on hip waders. Since she couldn’t bend her knees, she scooted along rather than walking. She would giggle, waddle, scoot, shuffle, laugh, and finally, loose her balance and fall - stiff and straight like a tree. She would look up at me, laugh, and say, “Aginnnnnnnnnn!” Then she would start the whole exhausting process over again.

    As I sat there chucking alone in the joy of memory, a powerful conviction swept over me. “I’m the one whose footprints will be followed! She will be walking in my “bootprints.” What kind of example am I leaving for her to follow? What kind of world will I leave her and her children? What will be my legacy to her? What lessons will she learn from the last half of my life?”

While we normally focus our attention on our example to our children when they are young, I’m convinced that the biggest imprint of our example to our children is how we live our post-children-at-home years. Granted, they won’t pay much attention if we lose their love and attention when they are young, but the fuel of our character will be powerfully displayed in the last half of our life to our children and grandchildren.

    I’m not sure when the “torch is passed” from one generation to the next. I know as a member of the “boomer” bunch, I’ve clung to the coattails of my parent’s generation. It’s easier that way — somebody else is responsible, in charge, foots the bill, sets the moral tone, and is the target for criticism. For us idealistic, head in the clouds, “boomers,” this is a startling, but essential realization.

    We’re no longer afforded the role of being cultural critics. We’re now the ones who must take charge of our time, our culture, and our churches. This doesn’t mean we volunteer to be bosses. It does mean we step forward and serve, give, lead, sacrifice, and take the criticism rather than give it.

    It’s no longer acceptable to stay a safe distance from the nitty-gritty of real life and lob our criticisms in from the periphery of power. Instead, we must lead the way for a new generation by our example. We must provide an opportunity for the next generations of believers to find their way to the future and their place in it. If positive change is to happen in our world, we will have to personally change first. Only then can we show the way. Otherwise we will merely be in the way.

    Even more convicting, our time to accomplish this change, set this direction, show the way, and bless the future generations is short. The clock is ticking and our opportunity will soon be over. Whether our children and grandchildren get to “stand on the shoulders of giants” will be determined how we live now, and what footprints — or in the case of some us “bootprints” — we leave for our children and grandchildren to follow.

http://www.heartlight.org/two_minute/2m_991013_boots.html

A BIT OF HUMOR

CAMPING HINTS

~ When using a public campground, a tuba placed on your picnic table will keep the campsites on either side vacant.

~ You can duplicate the warmth of a down-filled bedroll by climbing into a plastic garbage bag with several geese.

~ Take this simple test to see if you qualify for solo camping: Shine a flashlight into one ear. If the beam shines out the other ear, do not go into the woods alone.

~ A two-man pup tent does not include two men or a pup.

~ A potato baked in the coals for one hour makes an excellent side dish. A potato baked in the coals for three hours makes an excellent hockey puck.

~ Bear bells provide an element of safety for hikers in grizzly country. The tricky part is getting them on the bears.

~ The sight of a bald eagle has thrilled campers for generations. The sight of a bald man, however, does absolutely nothing for the eagle.
…..Mikey's Funnies (funnies-owner@lists.MikeysFunnies.com) by way of "Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

Mary-Ellen's Note

"Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it..."

Proverbs 16:22 (NIV)

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."

James 3:17 (NIV)

Occasionally, as we think back to our early years, some of us would like to have a "do over." The times we were a little naughty or disobedient or not as respectful and loving to our parents as we should have been weigh heavily on our hearts. If we stop to think about the situation, though, most can realize that as we grew and matured we did have a "do over" with our parents and family. Our growth in kindness and understanding did establish new and positive relationships with those we love. We were able to make-up for some of our childhood failings, and increased understanding and wisdom enhanced our relationships.

Another insight that comes as we encounter the "world outside the home" and the difficulties of adulthood is that the joys, blessings, and learning from our childhood home far outweigh any small problems we may have had. The home and family have truly been a testing ground providing essential learning and self-knowledge that help us cope with and succeed in the outside world. My interaction with family helped me to realize my talents, my skills, and my necessary limits--all of which helped me with life choices.

Memory plays an important role in our reconciliation with early family. I have heard a church friend say that "she always felt good just to be in the same room as her mother." We remember the love, the sharing, the laughter, the kindness, and the caring. We remember the good times and the unforgettable events. We treasure these personal riches forever.

And we incorporate so much from our early family experience into our present home. Small customs, rituals, habits, expressions of speech, celebrations, cherished objects--all become part of our daily lives and holiday activities. We never celebrate Christmas without Mom's lovely Christmas centerpiece and candle on the dining room table, and as we light the candle we remember her with great love. And so it goes--so many activities and events in the round of a year recall our best memories of loved ones and our childhood home.

These lovely memories are part of what I call the "graces" God grants us. We need to be thankful to our loving Father for the understanding He sends and rejoice in its purity, goodness, and truth. These, truly, are part of what give us abundant life in Christ Jesus.
…..Mary-Ellen Grisham (meginrose@gmail.com) (eternal_ink@associate.com) by way of “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.net)

CAN A PERSON BE OVERLY RIGHTEOUS?

Bob McCabe

 

Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? (Ecc 7:16, ESV)

Can “be not overly righteous” really be saying what it seems to be saying? Does God actually want us to tone down our righteousness? In order to correctly determine the meaning of this clause, it must first be placed in its immediate context. The context of v. 16 is found in the paragraph of Ecclesiastes 7:15–18, which reads:

(15) In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. (16) Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy [better translated as “astonish”] yourself? (17) Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? (18) It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.

There are a number of different interpretations of the expression “be not overly righteous” in v. 16. We will examine three of these.
1) A "golden mean" between virtue and vice
The first interpretation can be called the golden mean view. When v. 16 is taken in connection with the command to avoid being excessively wicked in v. 17 (“be not overly wicked”), a number of commentators have concluded that this is a call to moderation, a golden mean between virtue and vice. As such, the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon, is encouraging his audience to avoid living an excessively righteous or sinful life. The problem with this understanding is that it misses the point of the argument in the immediate context. It should be noted in v. 15 that Solomon had difficulty in understanding how God works out divine retribution. Solomon had seen a righteous man die while living a righteous life and an ungodly man live a long and prosperous life. This was an apparent inconsistency to what an Israelite living under the Mosaic Covenant expected. The advice to live a life of moderation does not fit the discussion of v. 15, nor any other portion of the Bible.
2) Self-righteousness
A second interpretation is the self-righteous interpretation. Some commentators understand the term righteous as a reference to self-righteousness. Therefore, when the writer says “be not overly righteous,” he means “don’t be self-righteous.” A problem for this view is found when we compare the Hebrew adjective saddiq, translated as “righteous” in v. 16 with its use in v. 15, also translated as “righteous,” as well as its corresponding noun seder, translated as “righteousness.”
Let’s translate v. 15 with the idea of self-righteousness in it. “In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a self-righteous man who perishes in his self-righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing.” The problem is that whatever righteousness is, it is the antithesis of wickedness. Therefore, the only type of righteousness that v. 15 can be referring to is a genuine righteousness. The self-righteous view does not fit the context.
3) Genuine righteousness
A third and preferred interpretation is the genuine righteousness view. This view understands the term righteousness to be a genuine righteousness, as this Hebrew term is always used in the Old Testament. The righteousness described in this verse is the same kind of righteousness as found in v. 15. The righteousness in v. 16 is excessive (“overly righteous”) only in the sense that an Old Testament believer might simplistically expect God to honor his righteousness with immediate blessing.
In v. 15 Solomon describes a situation where a genuinely righteous person receives what the wicked should get, and the wicked person receives what the righteous person should get. The point of v. 16 could be interpreted like this: “Do not be simplistically righteous with the expectation of immediate reward, neither be naively wise, why cause yourself to be astonished that God did not honor your righteous living with immediate blessing?” How does this fit in with vv. 17–18? When one sees the wicked prospering, he may lose heart and turn to an excessively sinful lifestyle. This should not be followed because God may immediately judge this sinner (v. 17). According to v. 18 the believer should avoid both extremes.
Conclusion:
In light of other portions of this book (3:17; 8:12-13; 11:9; 12:14), Solomon would argue that we should live righteously because God will bring every deed into judgment (12:14); this is when the Lord will certainly reward His people.

Bob McCabe is Professor of Old Testament at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary (DBTS). He received his Th.D. degree in Old Testament from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. Bob has been teaching at DBTS since 1983. He is a regular contributor to the blog "Theologically Driven."

http://www.christianity.com/bible/bible-study/can-a-person-be-overly-righteous.html?p=0

HOSEA 2:16 BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY

“In that day,” declares the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’

– Hosea 2:16 (NIV)

Today’s commentary
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

How do you view God? The book of Hosea uses the illustration of God’s people being depicted as a bride, yet they kept seeing God as their master. A bride is filled with joy, but a slave is filled with fear. The type of relationship that God wants to have with his people is not one of fear based control, but of loving obedience to his commands. Are we able to see God in that light, or do we still see him as a god who is never satisfied with us?

http://www.thedailybibleverse.org/

JUST A DAB OF HONEY

About the Author

Listen with RealAudio! “Just a dab of honey would make it a lot nicer.” I guess I could’ve used the Mary Poppins line, “Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” But, it’s not really medicine that I’m talking about. I want us to think about the type of people we are, and the attitude we demonstrate in our daily lives. My first acquaintance with this concern arose when a Christian restaurant manager came to me with a very frustrating situation. He was trying to witness to his co-workers, but he had a huge problem. The rudest and most demanding customers his wait staff encountered were the Sunday lunch crowd coming to eat after church. I was surprised and unsure of his criticism, so I asked several folks in our congregation who are experienced waiters to give me feedback. They unanimously and forcefully confirmed this observation. OUCH! I didn’t like hearing that. But, as I’ve traveled around and shared this observation, others who have been employed as wait staff have all confirmed this observation. I don’t know how you feel about that, but it makes me sad. Why would Jesus’ followers have a reputation for being rude, demanding, and ugly? Unfortunately, I’ve been on the receiving end of it myself. At Heartlight, we get hundreds of e-mails each day. Ninety-nine percent of those responses are positive, encouraging, and supportive. But every-once-in-a-while, we get a note that is incredibly rude and demanding. Since we are a non-profit organization, we don’t charge for any of our services, and are doing this without salaries or remuneration, it seems a bit sad that some folks could be so ugly for something they get for free. But a few are. I understand how my restaurant friends feel. But, before I get too high and mighty with my concern, I must also admit that I have been guilty of this kind of beastly behavior. So the question we all must ask is, “What can we do about this?”     I believe there are three essential strategies that we must employ if we are going be the kind of influence Christ wants us to be.     First, let’s remember that having a positive influence on others is not something that is optional for us. We are to be a blessing to others and a positive representative for Jesus. Jesus told us to be salt and light to a world of decay and darkness (Matthew 5:13-15). Paul told us to carefully choose our words, especially around unbelievers, so that we can have a positive influence on them (Colossians 4:4-5). Peter reminded Jesus’ disciples how important it is to speak with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). Developing a winsome personality, a kind demeanor, and a pleasant approach to people is not an option for us; it is the Lord’s will!     Second, let’s remember the Golden Rule as we relate to others. This simple approach to life helps us think of others first. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” must be more than a plaque on our wall, it must be the key thread in the fabric of our lives.     Third, let’s intentionally put a dab of honey in our speech and on our behavior when we are around others, especially unbelievers. Our goal is not just to be nice, but to be redemptive. Our joy is not getting our way or asserting our rights, but in bringing others closer to Jesus and bringing glory to God.     I believe the Christian hymn that Paul used to make his point to the Philippians (2:5-11) is just what we need to remember: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200004/20000418_honey.html

A BIT OF HUMOR

A man takes his place in the theater, but his seat is too far from the stage. He 
whispers to the usher, "This is a mystery, and I have to watch a mystery close 
up. Get me a better seat, and I'll give you a handsome tip." 

The usher moves him into the second row, and the man hands the usher a quarter. 

The usher looks at the quarter, leans over and whispers, "The wife did it."

[forwarded by Steve Sanderson]

============================

Dolphins are so intelligent! Within only a few weeks of captivity, they can 
train people to stand at the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.

=======================================

MIKEYSFUNNIES.COM

BE ENCOURAGED TROUBLE DON'T LAST ALWAYS

PILOT MOUNTAIN, N.C. BE ENCOURAGED (PHOTO BY PASTOR DAVIS)

There is no mountain that is to high are valley to low that you can not climb.  The process of getting to the top begins in your mind.  You cannot climb up hill with down hill thoughts.  What do you believe?  Your thoughts will always manifest your reality.  Good thoughts produce good results, negative thoughts produce negative results.  Learn to think about the goodness of what God can do when you hold onto His unchanging hands.  Look at this picture very carefully, and as you see it, try and understand it as a reality of the mountains that are in your life.  Now try to remove this mountain out of your life.  Jesus said you can command this mountain to move and it will obey your command.  Do you believe?  Click on this video clip and allow me to speak plainly to you about getting rid of the mountains in your life.

FOR VIDEO: http://vineandbranchworldministries.com/2013/04/23/be-encourage-trouble-dont-last-always/

I pray that this lesson has been a blessing to your soul.  If it has, why do share it with others and let it speak to them as well.  Know in your heart that God has a blessing with your name on it, if you believe.  DO YOU BELIEVE?

PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER

http://vineandbranchworldministries.com/2013/04/23/be-encourage-trouble-dont-last-always/

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

For Children of God: All Pain Leads to Life

Romans 8:22
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

 

In this particular section of Romans (verses 20-22), Paul has been discussing the current status of creation, of which he makes three points: First, creation has been subject to frustration. Second, it's in bondage to decay. And third (from our passage today), it has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth. So what happened to put creation in this situation? We find the answer in Genesis 3:17-18. "To Adam he said, 'Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, "You must not eat of it," 'Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.'" When God gave man a free will, he chose to sin -- and we have been paying the consequence ever since.

When Adam and Eve fell to temptation -- wanting to be like God and rebelled against Him -- the world changed around them. It lost much of its beauty and friendliness. Nature was set against man. Natural disasters, sickness, and human motivated horrors are a result of man's fall and God's judgment against sin. So what does Paul mean when he writes: "...the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time"? Let me ask you some questions: Are the screams of a person on a roller coaster different from the screams of a person running from a burning building? Are the screams of a mother in childbirth different from the screams of parents in the emergency room of a hospital who have just been informed of a tragic accident involving their child? Some screams reflect joy while others reflect pain. Our passage today promises: For the children of God -- all pain will ultimately lead to victory and life.

 

God has a definite and continuing hand in all of this. He is not removed. Isaiah 55:12 promises: "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Do you look at the present "groaning of creation" as a believer in the blessing of the age to come? Are you living as one who knows that our current frustration and bondage will one day be replaced by future joy and freedom? Is there hope in your screams or only despair?

POCKETPOWER.ORG

COLOSSIANS 1:27-28 BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY

Colossians 1:27-28

God has chosen you to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

Thoughts on today's verse

Christ lives in me. Until I can become completely like him through the power of the Spirit (2 Cor 3:18), he lives in me. Until I can go home to be with him he lives in me (John14:1-21). Everywhere I go and everything I do, he is with me.

Prayer:

O God, may the presence of Jesus within me stir me to your work today. May your abiding grace, through the presence of your gracious Son, call me to your character and your concerns. O Jesus, please make my heart like our Father's. Amen.

Visit heartlight.org

PHIL WARE

http://www.christianity.com/devotionals/heartlight-daily-verse-phil-ware/

INCLUSIVISM

What is Inclusivism?

Inclusivism is a view that includes all religions in God’s plan of salvation. Inclusivism is “inclusive” (hence the name) of all religions in salvation and says that a person can be saved regardless of his or her faith and/or religious practice.

Both a Buddhist and Hindu can be saved in this view — regardless of the fact that they believe in different things and hold to different views about man and the world.

Inclusivism is a view that is in contrast to exclusivism. If inclusivism means to include religions, then exclusivism is a doctrine that excludes religions or faiths. Christians who hold to exclusivism believe that one must assent to the teachings of Christ and believe that He is God and the way to eternal life if they hope to be saved.

Christians who hold to this view also disagree with all other religions and argue that a Buddhist and a Mormon, for instance, cannot be saved as adherents of their faiths; rather, the Mormon and Buddhist must turn to Christianity and Jesus in order to find salvation.

As usual, Christians want to know: Is there biblical evidence for inclusivism?

• That is, can people be saved by way of religions other than Christianity?
• Can an individual be saved through his or her belief in Buddha, Brigham Young, or some other god (Confucius, etc.)?

The Bible states unequivocally that one can only experience God’s salvation through faith in Christ, as can be demonstrated by the following passages:

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12, NASB).

• “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).
• “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16).
• “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (Jn. 3:18).
• “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” (Jn. 5:24).
• “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me” (Jn. 5:46).
• “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal” (Jn. 6:27).
• “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (Jn. 6: 29).
• “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day” (Jn. 6:40).
• “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (Jn. 10:9).
• “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor Him” (Jn. 12:26).
• “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am” (Jn. 13:13).
• “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (Jn. 14:6).
• “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (Jn. 17:3).
• In all these verses, it is Jesus who is to be believed in, whose name humans are to believe in so that they can experience God’s salvation. John 3:18 says that judgment awaits the one who does not believe on the name of Jesus, God’s “one and only begotten Son.” In other words, there is only one whose name we must believe in to be saved — that is, the name of Jesus. This is the same message Peter proclaims while preaching publicly:
• “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

First, notice that salvation comes through “no one else,” that “there is no other name under heaven” that can save humanity.

Peter’s words seem to exclude the possibility that God’s salvation can come through the names of Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, or some other human that mankind has elevated throughout world history. Peter’s statement does not so much as entertain the idea that mankind can be saved through the names of others who are not Jesus Christ.

Although inclusivism seems to be an intellectually acceptable position, it does not have biblical support. If one can only be saved by confessing the name of Jesus and following His teachings (Christianity, cf. Luke 14:26-27), then one cannot be labeled a follower of Jesus while practicing Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Mormonism, Hinduism, or the Muslim faiths.

If inclusivism lacks biblical support, the next question is as follows: can someone turn receptive to Christ by way of general revelation? Inclusivists also hold to general revelation as a source of conversion, but as will be shown in  our next article, general revelation is inadequate for salvation.

 http://www.bible-knowledge.com/what-is-inclusivism/#ixzz2RTpFtovD