All posts by Frank Becker

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NFL Players Association gave $5,000 to left-wing Sorros’ group. Stand up and play football, not politics!

We are all in the same boat!

By Frank Becker

What do these men want, who mock the flag of the United States of America?

We are all in the same boat? If they chop holes in our boat, it will sink, and we will all go down together.

The people of America represent a vast diversity of races, religions, national origins, and political beliefs. Once we had common cause. America was the place to be and become. A majority worked to make it ever better.

Now it appears that each group wants their beliefs and traditions to reign supreme. Yet they left their homelands because they were dissatisfied.

The motives of those who denigrate our flag and our national anthem are difficult to understand. They rarely if ever make specific appeals. They don’t make a claim to represent any particular group. They are like spoiled little brats who hold their breaths and pout over everything they don’t like.

It’s even more difficult to understand the athletes. They are certainly not underprivileged. Some of them make well over $1-million dollars for every game they play. America has treated them very well.

No one is arguing that America is perfect. On the other hand, we have come a long way in 240 years, and we’re still trying.

In the great patriotic song, “America, the Beautiful,” there is a prayer:

“America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!”

“It may be legal to behave in this self-destructive manner, but it is not expedient.

There are predators all over the world attempting to destroy our nation, and these men have unwittingly become their dupes.

The flag belongs to all of us, and every one of us owes America our allegiance. When someone mocks the flag, they threaten the soul of our nation, and endanger any hope of a better tomorrow.

Let those who would trample our flag learn to exercise self control and live within the spirit of the law.

Let them be activists, but let them refuse to tear down the very symbols that represent our mutual love for individual freedom.

If Americans kick holes in our ship of state, those who ultimately dictate to us will not permit us such liberties. They will instead quickly and brutally deal with such behavior.

Working within the system that our founding fathers gave us has made the United States of America the greatest country in the world,

Remember, we are all in the same boat!

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“MERCY!” (Psalm 116)

First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY, J.B. Stopford, Pastor

September 24, 2017

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Several Thoughts:

(1) Birds have bills, too, and they keep on singing.
(2) A waist is a terrible thing to mind.
(3). Be nice to your kids. They’ll choose your nursing home.

INTRODUCTION

I’ve shared with you before that I’m the youngest of 3 boys, and my brothers are 8 and 9 1/2 years older than I. I remember getting in wrestling matches with them. Invariably, I ended up on the bottom and couldn’t move. Not until I said that word, you know that word, don’t you, did they let me go. “Uncle!” I didn’t earn it. I had no right to it. I needed it desperately. And without saying “Uncle”, I might remain in the same helpless position for the rest of the day – or at least until Mom and Dad got home.
And in a nutshell, that’s what “mercy” is! It is our getting what we don’t deserve: we can’t earn it; we have no right to it; we need it desperately; and without mercy, we would remain in the same helpless position – for the rest of eternity.
In my preparation this week, I learned that the word “mercy” appears in our NIV 126 times; it also appears in the NKJV 275 times. The times in the NIV where it appears in the NKJV as “mercy”, in the NIV it appears often as “love”. For example, the 136th psalm is a classic – in the NKJV each verse ends with the line, “For His mercy endures forever.” In the NIV it says, “His love endures forever.” And in its purest, most holy form, that’s what “mercy” is: God’s love on display at His expense. And God’s mercy is best seen at the cross, isn’t it? There are many classic passages that we could choose to study on mercy – let’s look today at Psalm 116. PRAYER

#1. A “PREACH THROUGH” PSALM 116:1-2.

This psalm is the result of the psalmist’s wrestling with God – and the end result is trust and intimacy in communion. He would ask us: “have you gone through an huge trial in your life? Did you ask for mercy? Did you get it? Did you learn to trust God more? Did you thank Him?”
vs. 3-4. The psalmist is crying “uncle”. Rather than his brothers, it is death itself which is crushing the psalmist. He has no hope – but to ask God for mercy: “Uncle, God! Uncle!”
vs. 5-6. God is no fairy godmother. He isn’t a bank or a church which gives and gives whenever one begs. He isn’t one without character – and that’s the point. God is Who He is because He is. The psalmist learned some vital truths while being wrestled by life. Look at them: God is gracious; righteous; full of compassion; protects the simple hearted; He delivers the needy.
v. 7. It really is good to talk to yourself. The psalmist talks to his soul – his real eternal being. Ezekiel says, “the soul that sins, it will die.” The psalmist advises his soul to rest because God has been good.
vs. 8-10. Talking to one’s soul naturally leads into spontaneous prayer with the Keeper of the soul, the Lord Himself.
The psalmist continues – he had prayed for mercy (“uncle!”) in vs. 3-4, perhaps just for a daily need. God gave him much more than he asked for! These are classic lines – because God gave Him deliverance for both eternity and for today. That’s what true mercy does. It is more than just a ticket to Heaven! It is an invitation to live today!
v. 11. In fact, when one has God’s mercy, he sees every day through fresh eyes. He realizes that the world outside a fellowship with God has no foundation – they are liars and not really living!
vs. 12ff. The remainder of the psalm is a sharing of the psalmist’s fresh perspective in life. He is so overwhelmed – surprised by God – that he will spend the rest of his life seeing life through fresh eyes. Look at his “I wills”. Remember it was Satan’s “I will’s” that got him kicked out of heaven for his pride. But here, here is a child of God who was given God’s mercy. In the place of pride is joy – the joy of the Lord. And notice in his sharing what he plans on doing with the rest of his life, he praises God (v. 19) for Who He is (vs. 15-16). True praise basks in Who God is! True praise rejoices in the Source of mercy and not only in the mercy itself.

ILLUSTRATION: If a wealthy grandfather gave you $1 million dollars – would your thoughts be on the money, or on the source of the money? Hmm. Tough question! But the psalmist was so encouraged to remember the Source of mercy and to praise Him!

#2. “HIGHLIGHT STOPS” IN PSALM 116

ILLUSTRATION: Have you ever gone on a tour? And when you did, the guide says something like this: “let me give you the highlights of this journey”. And he then points out some things to look for in the journey in which you are about to embark.
The psalmist has done the same thing. He has given us highlights, places to stop in our journey with the Lord. Let’s look at two of those places we should stop:
A. Our life should be under a constant review (vs. 1-2) – by ourselves! Before the Lord, we should be able to STOP and see what God has done. We should be able to look back and see where we should have given the Lord the praise. We should be able to look back and see where we were neglectful of our walk with Him, of giving Him thanks. Our lives should be under regular personal review. With the psalmist, we should be able to say “search me oh God”. I like what David said in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Like the author of Psalm 116, David in Psalm 139 wanted to be able to see the Lord’s hand in every part of his life. He wanted to be sure that his (little “h”) journey is His journey (BIG “H”), too!
ILLUSTRATION: Several years ago, a Canadian pastor named Henry Blackaby began to notice something strange, perhaps even new, in his walk with the Lord. He was sure this wasn’t a new truth – he just was sure it was new to him. He began to notice that God in love and wisdom would begin working in areas that Henry never noticed before. But then Henry noticed that if he paid attention to those areas – and didn’t try to force God into areas in which God wasn’t in – well, then, Henry and his church began to experience God’s hand in fresh and tender ways. In fact, Henry sat down and wrote a book called appropriately, “Experiencing God” – and years later founded what would eventually be called “Blackaby Ministries International.” Wow. Henry Blackaby experienced God. He noticed where God was working. And he gave thanks to God’s handiwork – and so should we.
B. The psalmist shared several personal observations in Psalm 116. Notice how he voiced them: “I love the Lord” (v. 1); “I will call on Him as long as I live” (vs. 2 & 13); “I will lift up the cup of salvation” (v. 13); “I will fulfill my vows”…publicly (v. 14. My worship will thus not be private but corporate – part of the bigger picture called “the church”. “I will sacrifice my pride, get out of my own way, and give you thanks” (v. 17). “I will fulfill my vows with God’s people” (vs. 18-19).

CONCLUSION

Psalm 116 is all about the individuals of a community crying “uncle” to Jesus – calling out for His mercy as found at the mercy seat – even the cross of Christ. We trust Him – we surrender to the One Who alone is worthy of our trust. And then we watch to see what God does.
Let’s bring this one home with one last thought:
What the psalmist found in his private walk with the Lord, with these words he encouraged the entire body of believers.
V. 19 is not an idle verse. What was going on in the psalmist’s heart privately, and being shared publicly, was soon to affect the entire local community – in his case, Jerusalem. Can you think of anything that could happen in your heart, and then in our church life, that could affect the entire village of Earlville? Or put in a different way, would you – I dare say “risk” – be willing to be so sold out to the Lord Jesus in your private and public walk with the Lord that the entire community in which you live might be turned upside down for Jesus?

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THINK On These Things

There once was a man who was inspired by God’s command to Habakkuk (2:2), “Write the vision, make it plain.” He decided to prayerfully seek from God the vision for his own life, so he could write it and be sure to follow it and not drift away from it. The vision he received was this:

To so saturate my soul with the presence of Christ that the power of God can flow freely through my life,
At any time,
In any manner,
For any purpose He desires,
Without limit.
10/29/94
(Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 2 Corinthians 7:1)

Having received this vision for his life, he then pondered over what he must do to accomplish it. After prayer and some contemplation, he wrote three goals that he felt would help him to accomplish that vision:

1. Progressively reduce worldly influences.

2. Progressively strengthen spiritual influences.

3. See with God’s eyes, respond with God’s love.

The goals seemed good and he felt assured that if he could accomplish them, he would fulfill the vision God had given him. As he pondered these three goals, he conceived a set of plans for each goal. These plans were in several steps and would take time to work out in his life, perhaps much time. If they were followed to their conclusion they would accomplish the goal to which they belonged.

PLANS TO ACCOMPLISH GOAL 1

Progressively reduce worldly influences.

Guard my eye gate and avoid all unwholesomeness, whether in the various forms of media (TV, internet, magazines) or in the common thoroughfare.

Cast out all unspiritual thoughts and scenarios lest they take up residence and lead to spiritual decay.

In the public and political realms, know what is going on but refrain from immersion in daily scenes. Pray for people and their needs rather than fearfully anticipating outcomes.

Generally, abstain from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The knowledge of good leads toward God. The knowledge of evil leads away. (2 Cor. 11:3) There can be no benefit from the study of evil and its ways.

Be continually aware that the world is the possession and domain of the enemy of faith, and his lies are to be recognized, revealed and rebuked at every opportunity.

PLANS TO ACCOMPLISH GOAL 2

Progressively strengthen spiritual influences.

Eat from the tree of life, the Word of God, daily.

Participate in what God has already provided by making God my source for all things, through prayer.

Discover and walk in “paths of righteousness.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Seek wisdom. Think, and speak, “Whatsoever things are true, . . .” (Philippians 4:8)

Govern my mouth: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

Purify myself regularly (Psalm 51)

Go to sleep with a song of praise. (Eph. 5:18-19)
“. . . be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

Practice immersion in the presence of God.

Put on the character of God. Wear the mind of Christ.

PLANS TO ACCOMPLISH GOAL 3

See with God’s eyes, respond with God’s love.

Daily bring Him thanksgiving, not only to honor Him, but to stir up my awareness of how His love works among men.

Daily bring Him praise for all His goodness to me, for by savoring His goodness I can learn to emulate it.

Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit that I might effectively meditate on and pray for the physical or spiritual needs of fellow believers.

Pray for those the Lord brings to my awareness: non-believers, those who seem to threaten us, friend or foe, near or far, that the eternal Light might penetrate their darkness. (Mat. 5:44)

Seek to see people’s needs with God’s eyes, and flow God’s love to them by speaking encouragement and hope.

Be sensitive to the desire of the Holy Spirit in every ministry circumstance. Abstain from human standards and seek the anointed perspective of the Holy Spirit.

Pray in His will and speak in His power.

08/17
Presented by Bro. Al Salay, 
Blessed Man Ministries Inc.
1093 A1A Beach Blvd. #273, 
St. Augustine, FL 32080-6733
Website: www.BlessedMan.net mailto:[email protected]t
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“SEVENTEEN”

(Genesis 7:11; 8:4; 37:2; 47:28; John 3:17)

Posted on September 17, 2017, 10:30 AM

First Baptist Church, Earlville, New York, J. B. Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “A Speeding Funny”

A police officer in a small town stopped a motorist who was speeding down Main Street.
“But officer.” the man began, “I can explain!”
“Just be quiet,” snapped the officer. “I’m going to let you cool your heels in jail until the chief gets back…”
“But officer, I just wanted to say….”
“And I said to keep quiet! You’re going to jail!”
A few hours later the officer looked in on his prisoner and said, “Lucky for you that the chief is at his daughter’s wedding. He’ll be in a good mood when he gets back.”
“Don’t count on it,” answered the fellow in the cell. “I’m the groom.”

INTRODUCTION

I’m reminded of the Beatles’ old song which started out, “Well, she was just 17, you know what I mean, and the way she looked was way beyond compare. So how could I dance with another, and I saw her standing there.” 17. I met a man in the cancer ward at the hospital who also was born on June 17th as I was – except he was born in 1923. But wait, there’s more! This past Wednesday, I sat across the breakfast table from an elderly lady who was giving me her “cancer experience.” She was telling me about her birthday in June, when I asked this 75 year old, “what day?”. Of course, she said, “June 17.” I told her that I was born on her 10th birthday. Finally, a week ago I met John the weekend night security officer. We got talking about the 17th. He was born on the 17th of one month, married on the 17th of another month. He said that he is a “17 man.” And then he defined “17” as being from the root word, ‘seven’, which in Scripture is the number of completion or perfection – especially as it relates to the Lord. Thus “17” means “complete and total victory over the enemy; it represents God’s unconditional love“

With much anticipation, I thought about the verses that have the word “seventeen” in them. And how about the verses that are the 17th verse in any given chapter? Do they have significance? This has been a fun message to research – I hope it will be fun for you to hear. But the fruit has also been challenging for me – and I hope so for you, too! PRAYER

#1. THE FLOOD (Gen. 7:11; 8:4)

a. Gen. 7:11. God’s perfect timing – the 17th day of the month, the rains came and the springs burst forth
b. How did we get here:
Gen. 6:1-3 – because of man’s grieving his Creator, he was given a time frame of 120 years.
What did Noah do FIRST? Build the ark? (Gen. 6:14) NO! He built character (Gen. 6:8-9) by walking with God! Point: before God asks us to do something special for Him, He asks us to develop our foundation, our character, our walk with Him.
What did Noah do for those 120 years? Built AND preached (2 Pet. 2:5 “preacher of righteousness”)
b. The Savior uses Noah and his time frame as a vicious and very descriptive example of the signs of our times (Luke 17:27)
c. When did the ark finally settle down? See Gen. 8:4 – on the 17th day of the month! What does the Scriptures say? It rested! What did Jesus say? “Come unto Me and rest! (Matt. 11:28-30)
d. And to top it all off – Noah is in the great faith chapter of Hebrews 11:7-8. He was a man who lived “in holy fear” – not being afraid, but all things he did were out of complete respect and surrender to his Lord. Do we?
Let’s draw some conclusions:
God’s timing is perfect – it is no accident the day of the month the floods started; and it is no accident the day of the month the ark rested on Mount Ararat. Psalm 18:30: “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.” David knew by experience God’s way is perfect because His Word is without error. There is an huge connection: want to know His way? Get in His Word!
God’s rest is perfect. Do you know how to rest, to “rest in the Lord”? You begin by being obedient to what Jesus said, “come unto Me”. His rest for eternity, and His rest for today, is perfect!

#2. JACOB’S LIFE LINE (Gen. 37:2; 47:28)

a. This story is about a father and a son. First, the Heavenly Father giving Abraham the promise of a land and a multitude of people. We learned 2 weeks ago that Abe passed that promise down to Isaac, who could quote to his dad about the promise of a Lamb – the Messiah! And Isaac passed “the blessing” down to Jacob. And Jacob – soon to be renamed “Israel” – received “the blessing” directly from God Himself.
b. But it is one thing to SAY something. It is quite another to SHOW it! At this point, everything has come to a halt. HOW is God going to fulfill this promise of “the blessing”?
c. Gen. 37:2 tells about Joseph at age 17! And Joseph becomes the instrument through whom “the blessing” will bear its fruit in of all places, Egypt – the land of idols and worldliness.
d. Let’s move forward to Gen. 47:28. How long did Jacob/Israel live in Egypt before he died? 17 years! God gave Jacob quite a life-line – look at Gen. 48:11. He never expected to see Joseph again – and now he’s seen his grandchildren!
Point: in the fulfilling of His promises, God is also the God of surprises! He loves to surprise His children – and He loves when His children walk closely with Him.

CONCLUSION John 3:17

“17” is a unique number in Scripture. It is not used lightly, is it? We’ve learned that God’s timing is perfect. He likes His children to rest in Him. And He likes to bless His children’s lives with His uniquely and lovingly prepared surprises.
But there are also many chapters in Scripture that have a 17th verse! And following John 3:16 is John 3:17: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” How did God demonstrate His love: He sent His Son. How did the Son demonstrate His love: by going to the cross so that He could save only those who trust in Him. Thus this majestic 17th verse is showing that there are not many gods to be worshipped – there is only One. And there are not many ways to Heaven, there is only One – and His Name is Jesus.
“17”. And did you notice today’s date? God does not make mistakes. He gives complete and total victory over the enemy – first eternally through the cross, and then daily through our fellowship with Him. And He is the God of unconditional love – which makes one wonder: if He loves us unconditionally do we see and love others the same way?
“17”. It’s a good number. It is a vivid reminder that God wants our trust. Do you love Him? Do you trust Him through the cross and through His Word?

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TURN

Week thirty-eight, 2017

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14

Minnesota Viking lineman, Jim Marshall picked up a fumble and somehow got turned around and ran for the wrong end zone. When he crossed the goal line he thought he had scored a touchdown, only to find that he had scored a safety for the opposing team.

Life is like that. If we are not careful we, too, can get turned around and run our life in the wrong direction. When we run our spiritual life in the wrong direction, it is Satan’s joy.

By and large, our world as a whole is running in the wrong direction in what is increasingly becoming a post-modern Christian culture. The percentage of people professing to be Christians is down and the percentage of people fully leading their lives according to Biblical principles is down even further.

Our world is truly, both spiritually and morally, running in the wrong direction. Second Chronicles, believed to have been written by the prophet Ezra, was written to emphasize the blessings of the righteous kings and to expose the sins of the wicked kings. It is written from the viewpoint of a priest who spoke from spiritual perspectives, including revivals. It focuses on correct worship to God.

In chapter 7, verse 14, the book gives a formula on how to turn around a corrupt world and then shows what God will do in return. I call it the “four three” formula.

The prophet tells God’s people who are called by His name to:

1. Humble themselves
2. Pray
3. Seek God’s face
4. Turn from their wicked ways

He then assures God’s people that once they have done these four, He will:

1. Hear from heaven
2. Forgive their sins
3. Restore their land

We live in a culture that is deeply divided culture and the divide is widening day by day. Many try to offer suggestions to bring us back together, but as long as those suggestions are of the world, they will never work.

Only God can restore our land, but first we must be humbled, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. Then and only then, He will heal our land.

Sometimes True Stories

FIVE REASONS TO REJOICE IN JESUS:

(1) Rejoice in your salvation.
(2) Rejoice that your life has significance.
(3) Rejoice in your spiritual family.
(4) Rejoice in the lost being saved.
(5) Rejoice that you have a heavenly home.

BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP:

I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. John 13:13

The qualifications for being a leader do not consist solely of sitting behind a desk and barking out orders for others to accomplish. If that were the case, life as we know it would come to a standstill, with lots of talk, but no action. Successful leaders are able to delegate duties to others but are also willing to perform them if necessary.

I handed the teller at my bank a withdrawal slip for $400.00. I said “May I have large bills, please”. She looked at me and said “I’m sorry sir, all the bills are the same size.” When I got up off the floor, I explained it to her.

When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. ‘Hey,’ I announced to the technician, ‘it’s open!’ His reply: ‘I know, I already got that side.’ This was at the Ford dealership in Canton, MS

Quotes You Can Use

When we don’t know what we don’t know…we can get into a heap of trouble! Dwight Short

Reasonableness of the Rules Are Not Important to the Person Driven by Desire. Ken Whitten

The Devil Never Shows You the Famine – Only Shows you the Plenty. Ken Whitten

You don’t need anything that He can’t supply. Is it knowledge? Is it strength? God can do more through a weakling who is yielded and trusting that he can through a strong man who isn’t. Dawson Trotman

Shame seems to be dead in America. Ken Weliever.

***

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com and Thoughts-About-God.com. You can subscribe directly to those on their respective websites.

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2017.

©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618
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Week thirty-seven, 2017

DEEP ROOTS

Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful. – Col. 2:7

Recently I saw a display of Bonsai trees for sale. I stood there and was amazed how mature these trees looked, though they were less than a foot tall. They are grown in a restricted environment and their roots are continually pruned. That way they mature, but never reach their intended potential. They remain miniature trees, but trees were not meant to grow in containers that stunt their growth. Their potential is to grow and reach for the sky.

There is a scriptural parallel here. Satan wants us to be in a controlled environment (the world) and he is in the root trimming business. Just as we advance in our faith walk, he is there to trim our roots and stunt our spiritual growth.

Paul, writing to the church at Colossae admonishes believers to put their roots in Christ and let Him be the foundation for their life. How often does the world get in the way of our spiritual growth?

We were not created to live in such a restricted environment. But when we focus on the world and get caught up in its pleasures, it can build a spiritual wall around us to keep us focused on Satan’s kingdom and not get beyond that restricted environment and reach for glory.

See the danger of enticing words; how many are ruined by the false disguises and fair appearances of evil principles and wicked practices! Be aware and afraid of those who would entice you to any evil, for they aim to spoil you. We cannot be built up in Christ, or grow in Him, unless we are first rooted in Him, or founded upon Him. As a tree strikes its roots deep in the earth, so our faith should strike deep into Jesus and the Bible should be our firm foundation.

What is it in the world that prunes your spiritual roots and stunts your faith walk?

Sometimes True Stories

Here are 7 reasons to consider for memorizing scripture:

(1) It’s another way to be like Jesus. The Gospel accounts record Jesus quoted the Old Testament scripture 180 times from 24 different books. Jesus respected the Scriptures as authoritative. And He often quoted it. His example is well worth emulating.

(2) It allows Christ to dwell in us. The Bible commands “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Col 3:16). Since Christ dwells in our hearts through faith (Eph. 3:17), and faith comes by hearing God’s Word (Rom. 10:17), committing Scripture to memory is a means to build our relationship with the Lord.

(3) Memorizing the Bible Guards against Satan’s temptations. David, a man after God’s own heart, wrote, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Ps 119:11). The Word is metaphorically called “The Sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17). It is our only offensive weapon in our battle against the devil. Three times Jesus wielded this Sword by quoting Scripture when the devil tempted Him in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11). By doing so, He caused the devil to flee.

(4) When we have Bible verses committed to memory, it allows us to immediately share the Word with others. We’re commanded in 1 Peter 3:15 to be ready to give a defense of our hope in Christ. Opportunities may arise when we don’t have a Bible available. But a few well-memorized verses can impart the gospel message to someone who is sincerely seeking.

(5) Internalizing the Scripture helps maintain moral purity. The Psalmist raises the question, “How can a young man cleanse his way?” His answer: “By taking heed according to Your word” (Ps. 119:9). When we know the Word. When we commit the Word to memory, it keeps it fresh on our minds and helps us continue on the right path.

(6) The Word transforms our lives. Paul admonished, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). When I commit the Scripture to memory, it has the potential to renew my mind and bring about a dramatic change in my life.

(7) Memorizing the Bible increases our knowledge and gives us wisdom. Both Peter and Paul stressed the value of wisdom and knowledge. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17)

Quotes You Can Use

Peter reminds us that Christ left us an example that “we should follow in His steps.” This is not optional. It is our calling, if we are to be a disciple of Jesus (1 Peter 2:20-22).
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. His mind, wit and work earned him the unofficial title of “the greatest justice since John Marshall.” One time Justice Holmes was asked about his career choice. He answered by saying, “I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers.”
______________________________________________________________________

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com and Thoughts-About-God.com. You can subscribe directly to those on their respective websites.

Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to [email protected]. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2017

©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

 

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“YOU GONNA TEAR DOWN MY MEMORIAL TOO? GOD”

Genesis 22:1-14

Posted on September 2, 2017 by jstopford
Sept. 3, 2017 10:30 AM
First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY J B Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “A Calendar Funny”

What is the favorite month of lumberjacks? SepTIIMMMBEERRRR!!!

INTRODUCTION

50 years from now, what will our children have learned about their history from the past 200 years? All the statues honoring the heroes of past generations would have been removed or smashed. Even the statue of Thomas Jefferson, honoring him as the founder of the U of Virginia, is being contemplated as being moved. Will they also tear down the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC? Will they close his home in Monticello, VA? which appears on our coins? Will our Jefferson coins & dollars go?What will future generations know?
What about God’s memorial? Are they going to tear that one down, too? Did you know He has one? Our text tells us.

#1. THE ABANDONMENT “Here I am” (vs. 1-2)

“Some time later, God tested Abraham” – these words introduce us to the follow-up to Genesis 12:1-3. What dreams did Abe have? Follow his dad? Follow his trade? Stay in the country? No, he abandoned those to follow his God.
Now, there is another test – and we are specifically told that God is the Author of this test. GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF THIS ENTIRE MEMORIAL. It was His idea. We learn in James that God is NOT the author of temptation – allurements to evil. But He IS the Author of stretching His children so that dependence upon self is put to death, and a heart is abandoned only to God.
We learn 2 specific parts of this test:
(a) Abraham has immediate abandonment “here I am”. This phrase appears 20 times in our Scriptures, and another 5 times as “here am I”. Note: twice here (vs. 1,11); Esau (in conversation with Isaac); Jacob, Moses, Samuel, & Isaiah in conversation with God. And Jesus Himself. Check out Psalm 40:7 (quoted in Hebrews 10:7-9 as referring to Jesus) and Revelation 3:20, His invite to commune with Him! Jesus is showing Who is the heart of God’s memorial, and where – the cross!
(b) Abraham had a treasured relationship with his son, Isaac, and God knew it!

ILLUSTRATION: Like Isaac, I was the son of my father’s old age. He was 47 when I was born. And yet, in retrospect, I was the son he loved because he spent so much time at home with me. I can fully understand that sweet relationship that Abe & Isaac had!
Note God’s 4-fold description: (take) your son (personal), your only son (unique, one of a kind), Isaac (he has a name), whom you love (the receiver of the father’s favor). Did you notice the line “your only son”? Ishmael was born years earlier, but Galatians 4:22ff remind us that he was not a legal heir, nor was he the son of promise. Before God, Isaac was his only son. Years later, another Father would talk about His Son: “that He gave His only begotten – His one and only – Son” (John 3:16).

Also note: “burnt offering” – this is a complete sacrifice, the giving of the entire animal – or, in this case, oneself. Abraham understood this abandonment full well. Do we?
One other quick note: Dr. Arthur Pink observes something that blew right over me: this is the only place in Scripture where the Lord required a human sacrifice. All other sacrifices that He outlined were of animals: lambs, rams, etc. Tuck that info away!
The first heart of this memorial is the abandonment of our Heavenly Father as seen through Abraham’s abandonment of himself before God.

#2. THE OBEDIENCE “Early” (vs. 3-6a)

There are at least two important points to describe this obedience. First, it came “early”. Abe did not hesitate to obey his heavenly Father. Do we? Do we seek Him early in the day – first thing before the tasks of the day take over our time and strength? Do we seek Him early when He sets a task before us to do?
But secondly, is the little phrase – almost unnoticed except for it being so LOUD – “the third day”. God in His wisdom always surrounds obedience with promise and hope. “Third day” is the day of…RESURRECTION! And note Abe’s description, we will worship and we will come back. Abe’s obedience was such that he was sure that no matter what happened up on the mount, Isaac was assured of being alive when it was over – even if God would have Abe complete the task of sacrificing his son, his only son, Isaac, whom he loves. In this huge way, God reminds us that obedience is always surrounded by promises – over 2000 of them – in God’s Word! We need to cling to them every day!

#3. THE COMMUNION “Father?” (vs. 6b-7)

It would be easy to slide over this vocal interchange from Isaac to his father, Abraham. But in it, we learn much:
(a) Isaac felt very comfortable to talk with his dad – he could question him about anything! And so can we with our heavenly Father! (Oh, and can your children and grandchildren with you?)
(b) Isaac understood what a burnt offering is. He noted that there was a difference between a simple offering (using fire and wood) and a burnt offering, meaning the offering was to be consumed. How did he know that? Because he learned that from his father! Communion. Sweet intimacy between a father and his son. Do we avail ourselves of that intimacy between our heavenly Father and us? In prayer, we talk to our Father. In His word, He talks with us. Communion. A vital part of this memorial.

CONCLUSION “God will provide” (vs. 8-14)

The name of the mount was identified as “Moriah” (v. 2) and “The Lord will provide” (v. 14), a name for God Himself (“Jehovah Jireh”). Can there be any doubt that the place of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac is none other than Mount Calvary itself?
And if that isn’t enough, check out the. NT application (Heb. 11:17-19). Of course, this is the great faith chapter.
And many years later, God the Father sent His son, His one and only Son, Jesus, Whom He loved, to Mount Moriah – a hill called Calvary. And on the third day He, too, rose from the dead. “And whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”
That is God’s memorial!

Are you gonna tear that down, too? Or is that memorial the foundation of your abandonment of self to the Father, the sweetness of your obedience before the Father, and the heart of your communion with the Father?
Would you really want to tear that down, too? Or are you going to pass The Memorial of the cross of Calvary on down so that future generations will also celebrate The Memorial?

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TRASH and TREASURE

Week thirty-six, 2017

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:21

Recently my bride and I took a day trip to visit one of the biggest flea markets in our state. It was a sight to behold. There were hundreds of bays and booths displaying about everything one could imagine.

Most of it looked like junk to me, but sales were brisk. One man said he collected whatever he was buying at the time and said that even though it looked like junk, it really added value to a collection. Dolls, model trains, fountain pens, fidgets…. You name it someone was selling and another was purchasing. It all still looked like junk to me, but if you know what you are doing, you can see value. Some collector buffs were waiting in line at six o’clock in the morning to make sure that someone didn’t beat them to the items they cherished.

As I watched the process I thought of that old cliché that says, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” Jesus reminds us that where our treasure is there will be our heart also.

In the kingdom of Satan, the souls of men are only merchandise. Yet that is contrasted with the text in Matthew, which is describing the kingdom of heaven. The story illustrates God’s perspective of mankind. To Him, the souls of men are a treasure! There are two waiting to purchase your soul…. God and Satan.

What is your price? How much are you worth? What value do you place on your soul? More importantly, would you rather be viewed as merchandise or a treasure? Exploited or loved? To whom will you sell your soul?

Merchandise is something that is used only for personal benefit. A man’s sole attraction to his merchandise is the wealth it can bring. Satan is not interested much in this worlds goods. He doesn’t care much about vacation homes, used cars, real estate, stocks and bonds… He deals only in life’s most precious commodity… the Souls of Men. The devil invests very little in anyone! And yet, what a high price you will pay when he’s through with you!

Our world basks in a false sense of self-worth. Most consider themselves well paid for the state of their soul. But each day many awaken to find themselves discarded like merchandise. Having profited Satan’s kingdom enough – they find themselves thrown aside like an old rag, while the world moves on to bigger and better things, a better deal.

Satan is not interested much in this worlds goods. He doesn’t care much about vacation homes, used cars, real estate, stocks and bonds… He deals only in life’s most precious commodity… the Souls of Men. The devil invests very little in anyone! And yet, what a high price you will pay when he’s through with you! Currently our world basks in a false sense of self-worth.

We see the results of Satan’s wheeling and dealing all around us. But regardless of what the god of this world offers you, it is not enough! The devil never sacrifices very much to get what he wants… but you will lose it all when you pass through his hands!

What is your treasure? Is it something you will some day end up sold for junk at a flea market? Put your treasure in Jesus and you will have more true wealth than anything in this world that money can buy.

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

The Discipline of Patience

“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4)

Patience, or endurance, is part of the development that produces the experience that brings hope and assurance to those who are the twice-born (Romans 5:3-5). Patience is a discipline—a “work” that is necessary for our growth. Although such discipline never seems pleasant at the time, it is administered by our loving heavenly Father, who focuses His work on our spiritual maturity (Hebrews 12:5-8).

RELIGIOUS RESTRICTIONS

According to the Pew Research Center, over 75% of the world’s population lives in areas with severe religious restrictions in more than sixty countries where people face persecutions from their governments or surrounding neighbors because of their belief in Jesus Christ.

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

The world isn’t an information desert any more.

God’s phone number: Call unto Me. and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, of which you know not. Jeremiah 33:3

Man is the only creature that learns from making mistakes.

Wandering: To Proceed without a Proper Sense of Direction. Ken Whitten.

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Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com and Thoughts-About-God.com. You can subscribe directly to those on their respective websites.

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 ©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618
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“DO YOU NEED A TRANSPLANT?” Hebrews 4:12-13

Aug. 27, 2017

First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY

J B Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “A Pain Funny”

Q: Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocaine during a root canal?

A: His goal: transcend dental medication.

INTRODUCTION

When we first heard the word “leukemia” as what was going on in my Thuvia, my thoughts raced back to my 9th grade biology teacher. She and her family also heard that word. But in 1967, the word generally meant “fatal” – and for her, within two months it was. But Thuvia’s surgeon introduced us to phrases that he has simplified, like “bone marrow transplant”, “donor”, “identity”, and “one year ownership” – all of which now apply to Thuvia.

Perhaps surprisingly, the Bible, too, talks about a transplant that is available for all people in general. But in particular, this transplant is directed to those of us who profess to love the Lord Jesus as Savior.
The author of Hebrews introduces that transplant in chapter 4:12.

Let’s look at that verse today. PRAYER

1. The quality of the donor

* All we know about [my wife] Thuvia’s [bone marrow] donor is that he is 40 years old, a male, and lives in Brazil.

* The donor in our text is “living”. That has several wonderful pictures. It is alive. Literally, it is resurrected – in other words, it is designed to changed our hearts and minds into conformity with the heart and mind of our resurrected Savior.

* It is “active”. I’ve heard many a preacher or evangelist talk about our going home and uncovering the dust which is piling up on our donor – because the donor simply sits on a shelf. Perhaps it is placed there to impress people that the donor is part of your spiritual heritage. Why you might even have family weddings and deaths recorded in it, going all the way back to the Mayflower! But “active” has the idea of being “powerful!” It is designed to do things! To move mountains! To carve up beautiful pictures of lives. And active means it is not only powerful; it is “effective”! What it says it will do, it will do. We can go up to someone and quote John 3:16 and fully trust that the “whosoever believes”, really wholeheartedly trusts the donor of the Author, and the Author of the donor, that one will have everlasting life. That’s pretty effective. That almost makes one want to try it on someone!

* It is “sharper”. It is not only sharp, it is better than sharp. The picture in the verse is of a “two-edged” or double-sided sword. That is one which can cut on both sides. Look at Revelation 1:16. The Apostle John is describing Jesus. And look at Revelation 19:15 – the “sharp sword” which comes out of the Savior’s mouth is, indeed, the Word of God. With just that Word voiced by the Savior, the Battle of Armageddon – the war to end all wars – is over. It is sharper. But that also has the idea of a surgeon’s scalpel – it is perfectly precise. It can do what it is designed to do. A surgeon can do amazing things with a scalpel. And so can this donor.

These are some qualities! Living! Active! Sharper! I sure wis I would have at my availability a donor like that!

2. The action of the donor

The action of the donor is described in one very penetrating word – the word “penetrates”! Listen to other good versions’ understanding of this very vivid term: The NLT & The Message say it “cuts through everything”! And the Expanded Bible says it “cuts all the way into us”. Can our donor do that? Really?

So what does it “penetrate”, “cut through,” or “cut all the way”?

A. The soul and spirit. Many theologians are divided as to how to specifically divide separately these terms. But the Amplified Version explains it so well. These two terms in this passage describe the ENTIRE person. All of me is penetrated by my donor! Can it do THAT?

B. The joints. No, that is not some wacky weed that your mother doesn’t know you are using! The joints are the things that literally join our whole body together. The donor can penetrate that!

C. And the “marrow”. Here is where my attention perked up! Because Thuvia is scheduled on September 12 to have a “bone marrow transplant.” What is the “marrow”? Once again, the Amplified Version says the marrow is the “deepest parts of our nature. But don’t just take the Amplified’s good word for it. Look at Job 21:24. Job is trying to share with his useless comforters that the God that they supposedly worship knows everything about him. And he illustrates it by showing that God knows all the innards about us!
There is a grave danger in saying that there are many religions but they all worship the same god. This passage in Job would disagree royally. Because our God is personal, intimate, and knows all about me!

For my wife and her transplant, her identity will become permanently changed! Her DNA will show that she has 4 parents! She might even have a new blood type. Her donor’s marrow can do just that.

The donor of the text can reach down to the deepest part of my nature – and draw even that back to the image of Who it is supposed to look like – even the Lord Jesus.

D. And the attitudes of the heart! Momma often – not TOO often – said, “son, you need an attitude adjustment!”. And our donor can do that, too!

That’s quite a donor we have! It is living, active, sharp, and penetrating.

CONCLUSION

Look at verse 13. Nothing is hidden, everything is uncovered before our great God.

And the Word of God – our wonderful donor so majestically described here in Hebrews – can change every part of us to conform to the image of its Author, even our Savior the Lord Jesus.

So… do you need a transplant? Is the Word of God living and active in your life? Are you willing to allow it to skillfully penetrate every part of your life, exposing the diseased parts and changing them into brand new reflections of the Savior?

Uncategorized

Greetings from Houston!

Joy and I apologize for not updating the Cross Trainers’ website these past few days.

We live in North Harris County, twenty miles north of downtown Houston, and we had to evacuate our home because of rising waters. We spent one night at a motel, and another at the home of our oldest son. Our other son, who lives just a few miles from our house, traveled north to Dallas with his family.

Water rising on the street in front of our house

When we returned to our home on Tuesday, we were thrilled to find everything in good order, unlike tens of thousands of others who have suffered terrible loss.

Our prayer is that many will find consolation and blessing through their relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

About donations for Hurricane Harvey relief. Although we have received offerings for missionaries and Christian programs around the world for over ten years, and although we send 100% of every dime received on to the designated recipients, we are not equipped to receive funds for hurricane recovery or victims.

Please be careful that any funds you do send go to a reliable organization, such as the Salvation Army.

We have been encouraged by the tremendous outpouring of generosity and volunteerism we’ve witnessed all around us.

God bless you for sharing your hearts with the people of Houston and the Gulf Coast.

[email protected]