Week Forty-Seven, 2017

WHO IS BLIND?

“….. it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3).

It is one of the greatest short stories in the Bible, all contained in one small chapter, John 9. Jesus is walking with His disciples when they passed a blind man. Believing that sin causes physical problems, they asked the Master if the man had sinned or if his parents sinned.

Jesus said it was neither as the man was so afflicted that the works of God might be displayed in him. Now, the disciples were more confused than ever, whereupon Jesus spat on the ground and made a lump of clay and applied it to the man’s eyes. He told him to go wash his face and when he did, his sight was restored.

He was brought before the Pharisees to tell his story of washing and seeing. Instead of marveling at this great miracle, the Pharisees accused Jesus of not obeying the Sabbath, since he healed (worked) on that day. Still not believing what had happened, they summoned his parents, hoping they would say that the man was not their blind son. When the parents identified the man as their son and said how he was born blind.

When pressed for a more detailed explanation, the man said he didn’t know, but one thing he did know is that he was blind and “now I see.” Still they missed the obvious and put him out. The man said that whoever he (Jesus) was is worthy of worship.

Now, the question of this beautiful story is: Who was blind? The man was physically blind, but now he could see physically and spiritually. The Pharisees could physically see, but were spiritually blind. With all of the evidence displayed before their eyes, they could not see what was before them.

People are often like that … oblivious to the obvious. Are we not sometimes unable to see the hand of God as we examine the world around us. There is a big difference between sight and vision. As Helen Keller said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight, but no vision.”

How is your spiritual vision? Can you see through the things of God? Do you long to someday pass from this world to a better place where you can see all things clearly……. the things that only spiritual eyes can see?

Until then, train your eyes on things above and resist the often terrible things of this world.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

You too may have allowed yourself to become so engrossed in your career and in amassing material possessions you have forgotten what makes you feel fulfilled and truly alive. Indeed, work and the pursuit of material things may have estranged you from who you really are. Therefore, one of the most important aspects of defining a purpose for your retirement is to find out who you really are. Ernie J. Zelinski

TIME CHANGES THINGS:

▪ If you attempt to rob a bank you won’t have any trouble with rent or food bills for the next 10 years, whether you are successful or not.

▪ Oxygen is slowly killing you; it just takes 75-100 years to fully work.

▪ 100 years ago everyone owned a horse and only the rich had cars. Today everyone has cars and the rich own horses.

OBEDIENCE:

Partial obedience will soon lead to disobedience.

Three questions to ask yourself:

1. Am I seeking God’s will deliberately and passionately?

2. If God were to have you leave your comfort zone to take the challenges of the unfamiliar, how would you respond?

3. Are you making obedience too complicated?

—Ken Whitten

TEMPERANCE:

Adult drinking in America has become a “public health crisis” in the past decade, with steepest rise among those 65 and older, according to a recent federal study. The rise in those over 65 was more than double for the general population.

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

God uses the least likely to accomplish the most glory. —Ken Whitten

Few rich men own their property. Their property owns them. —Robert G. Ingersoll

My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions but in the fewness of my wants. —J. Brotherton

God’s pleasure in you is not based on your performance for him. God’s Pleasure in you is based on His performance for you.

God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” —Martin Luther

If you think that you’re too small, too little, too inconsequential to make a difference or make an impact, try going to sleep with a mosquito in the room.

Your worship is useless if your ways are wicked. —Bob Sprinkle

***

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

First Baptist Church

9 West Main Street, Earlville, New York 1333, J B Stopford, Pastor

“VETERANS: THANK YOU FOR SERVING!”

Luke 9:57-62

Nov. 12, 2017 10:30 AM

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “A Pastry Funny”

On a visit to New York, an Englishman and a Scotsman go to a pastry shop.

The Englishman whisks three cookies into his pocket with lightning speed. The baker doesn’t notice.

The Englishman says to the Scotsman: “You see how clever we are? You’ll never beat that!”

The Scotsman says to the Englishman: “Watch this, a Scotsman is always cleverer than an Englishman.”

He says to the baker, “Give me a cookie, I can show you a magic trick!”

The baker gives him the cookie which the Scotsman promptly eats. Then he says to the baker: “Give me another cookie for my magic trick.”

The baker is getting suspicious but he gives it to him. He eats this one too.

Then he says again: “Give me one more cookie…”

The baker is getting angry now but gives him one anyway. The Scotsman eats this one too.

Now the baker is really mad, and he yells: “And where is your famous magic trick?”

The Scotsman says: “Look in the Englishman’s pocket!”

INTRODUCTION #1

Veteran’s Day is an American holiday where we honor all those who served in the military service. Memorial Day honors those who died in service, and Armed Forces Day honors those who are currently serving in the military. OK, historians – when was the first Veteran’s Day? Actually, it was Nov. 11, 1954. It was originally named “Armistice Day”, so designated by Pres. Woodrow Wilson on Nov. 11, 1919, to honor the first year after the signing of the peace treaty with Germany to end WW1 on 11/11/18 at 11 am. [of course, it wasn’t called WW1 then – they didn’t know there would be another world war!].

So Veteran’s Day got my thinking going – are there Christian veterans, that is, those who have been active in the Christian service? And more importantly, how does one become an active soldier in the Lord’s army? Our text in Luke 9 should give us a good perspective on God’s thinking on this!

Intro # 2 The issues:

This passage is very confusing! Is Jesus being harsh to people – like they can’t bury their dead? Isn’t He the God of compassion?

These are real people – who are following Him along His way to…Jerusalem (v. 53). His focus is on the cross – “going about His Father’s business”. He was asking each of them, “what is your focus?”

Small issue: v. 55. Note the footnotes in our NIV – I’m glad they are there to let us know that in the ORIGINAL language, Jesus gave His real mission: PEOPLE! Without that line, the lines that follow don’t make much sense.

Jesus is looking for true soldiers of the cross! PRAYER.

#1. WHAT IS FIRST? (vs. 57-58)

a. In each of these 3 instances, there is a repeated pattern which will be of tremendous help to us to know Jesus’ heart on what it takes to be a “veteran soldier of the cross”. The first repeated word is, well, “FIRST”! (see v. 59 and v. v. 61). So we can presume that in each of these interactions, our Savior is trying to vividly point out what or Who is to be first. The other repeated word is “follow” (v. 57, v. 59, and v. 61), so we can understand that true veterans of the cross follow something or someone. And the third repeated word is “but” (v. 59, 60, 61). “But” is a word of contrast; so our understanding of this passage is helped knowing that our Savior is pointing out a contrast between the pattern of lifestyles of those who are approaching Him, and that of Himself.

b. So the first cost of following Jesus – the first guide for a soldier of the cross, is to ask ourselves, “WHAT is first?”. Note that Jesus did not mention Himself, but rather His home! The first man said he would follow, and Jesus said, “hey – check out where foxes and birds live, and check out where I live.”

c. Our Savior did this once before! Check out John 1:35-49. Jesus invited two of His disciples to see where He was staying! So the issue is not the size of the house, or the boat, or the cabin, or the bank account, or the IRA, or the _____ (fill in your blank!) The issue is: WHAT is first? In the first instance, for the first potential follower of Jesus, WHAT he possessed was more important than Jesus.

SO: Is what you possess important? THAT is not the question! He is not telling us NOT to have homes, cars, boats, IRA’s. But He is pointedly saying, “do they have US?”.

WHAT IS FIRST?

#2 WHO IS FIRST? (vs. 59-60)

a. The second guide to following Jesus was given by Him, NOT by someone making a statement, but rather by Jesus’ connection with someone. He asks a passerby, “follow Me”. Note He wasn’t concerned with the man’s STUFF. He was concerned with the man’s focus of direction.

b. The man gave a good excuse as to the why he couldn’t follow Jesus at this time: Dad needed to be buried. Isn’t this a reasonable excuse? If you are like us, we have had much – perhaps too much – insight recently into preparing for our loved one’s burials. Life insurance. “Pre service planning”. That’s what we’ve had to do for our loved ones – and perhaps you have too. So this seems like a reasonable argument for not serving.

c. Jesus’ response seems most harsh, doesn’t it? He says, “let your old man bury himself! You go proclaim the gospel!”

d. Fortunately, we have other Scriptures to help us understand this passage. Check out Luke 14:25-27 – Jesus in essence is saying that our love for Jesus in comparison would make our love for our loved ones look like hate. He is NOT saying to hate our loved ones – but He is saying to “love Me FIRST”. And remember the incident in Luke 8:19-21? Jesus very own mother came to see Him but couldn’t get in because of the crowd. He responds by identifying who His true loved ones are. He does NOT discount loving His loved ones – too many verses teach us about honoring our father and mother! But He IS asking us, “WHO is first?”

This question needs to be answered Biblically! It would be easy to say, “oh, I really don’t like my family anyway, so I will go serve the Lord.” But God says that family has a priority and a proper place in your love, but His priority is to be FIRST.

Is He first for you?

#3. WHEN IS FIRST? (vs. 61-62)

a. The 3rd potential veteran of the cross perhaps heard the first two potential followers and their interaction with the Savior. So this one thinks he has the right response, one that will get the Savior’s approval. He says I WILL follow you, but not right now. He is saying, “the heart is right, but the WHEN just doesn’t fit my schedule. In fact, I want to honor my parents – I KNOW you honor parents, right? So I need to FIRST go back and say good-bye to them BEFORE I become a veteran of the cross.”

b. Remember the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 appointing Elisha as the next prophet of Israel? Elisha said, “I’ll go – but let me say good-bye to my family”. This seems like the same response that the man makes in our present text. But it is not. Elisha then closes the door behind him by destroying his farm implements, slaying the oxen, sharing the food with his family and friends, and then…following Elisha. God honored that “WHEN”.

c. But the third potential follower seems to give a good excuse until Jesus says that the problem is the “when” is not right. WHEN is the time to follow Jesus, always? NOW!

ILLUSTRATION:

A missionary couple knows God is calling them to a foreign field, and their elderly parents – who have prayed for this couple for years – also know that that is where they belong. So the missionary children head to the field NOT KNOWING whether or not their loved ones will die before they return home. All parties here had determined the answer to the question, “WHEN is first?”. The WHEN was now. Have you?

CONCLUSION

Veterans’ Day 2017. We honor those who have served. May I close by honoring a veteran of the cross who served well, Pastor Herman Underwood, now with the Lord. He took me under his wing after I was first saved. He showed me how to walk with the Lord; and then he showed me how to serve the Lord. He has had an eternal impact on my life.

Who are the “veterans of the cross” in your life?

AND for whom are YOU a “veteran of the cross”?

Close in prayer

 

Website: http://www.fbcearlville.org

 

 

Week Forty-Six, 2017

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. – Proverbs 9:10

Albert Einstein is noted as one of the most intelligent man who has ever lived. His discoveries such as the theory of relativity are landmarks in scientific research.

However, a recently disclosed finding rightfully credits him with an even greater discovery. In 1922, in lieu of a tip, he gave a bellboy a note. It contained Einstein’s “theory of happiness. Recently it sold at auction for $1.6 million.

letter

His theory?: “A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness” Wow, I think he nailed it.

We live in a world or certainly a country, that thrives on abundance and the pursuit of more. As Einstein so rightly wrote that happiness comes from a modest life and one who pursues success lives a life of restlessness.

Solomon, considered to also be one of the wisest men to live said: I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless–like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 1:14. Solomon begins with the prime observation: “all is vanity.” The word “vanity” does not mean self-admiration in this context. It means “useless.”

But for the Christ follower, there is more than happiness….. it is joy. An ungrounded, dangerous separation of joy from happiness has infiltrated the Christian community. The following is typical of the artificial distinctions made by modern Christians:

Joy is something entirely different from happiness. Joy, in the Biblical context, is not an emotion. . . . There is a big difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is an emotion and temporary; joy is an attitude of the heart. You’d think the distinction between joy and happiness is biblical. It’s not.

John Piper writes, “If you have nice little categories for ‘joy is what Christians have’ and ‘happiness is what the world has,’ you can scrap those when you go to the Bible, because the Bible is indiscriminate in its uses of the language of happiness and joy and contentment and satisfaction.”

There are more than one hundred Bible verses in various translations that use joy and happiness together.

Be happy and have a joyful day.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

FIRST THINGS FIRST:

In First Things First, Stephen Covey tells a story that one of his associates heard at a seminar. The presenter pulled out a wide-mouth gallon jar and placed it next to a pile of fist-sized rocks. After filling the jar to the top with rocks, he asked, “Is the jar full?”

The group replied, “Yes.”

He then got some gravel from under the table and added it to the jar. The speaker jiggled the jar until the gravel filled the spaces between the rocks. Again, he asked, “Is the jar full?” This time, the group replied, “Probably not.” The speaker then added some sand and asked, “Is the jar full?” “No!” shouted the group.

Finally, the speaker filled the jar to the brim with water and asked the group the point of this illustration. Someone replied that you could always fit more things into your life if “you really work at it.”

“No,” countered the speaker. “The point is, if you don’t put the big rocks in first, there won’t be any room for them.”

This illustration speaks to the issue of priorities. What are the big rocks in your life?

IMPORTANT:

Over the triple doorways of the cathedral of Milan there are three inscriptions spanning the splendid arches. Over one is carved a beautiful wreath of roses, and underneath it reads, “All that which pleases is but for a moment.”

Over the other is sculptured a cross, and there are the words, “All that which troubles us is but for a moment.”

But underneath the great central entrance to the main aisle is the inscription, “That only is important which is eternal.”

A bum came up to me and said, “Lend me $20 until payday.” I said, “Sure, but when is payday?” The bum replied, “How should I know? You’re the guy with the job.” Henny Youngman

I don’t want the cheese, I just want to get out of the trap. Spanish proverb

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Worship isn’t about a purpose. It is about a person. Ken Whitten

You can’t control the assumptions others make about you. But you can manage your behavior, and you can manage the assumptions you make about the behavior of others. David C. Borchard

Becoming a Christian is not a matter of accepting a set of beliefs, but becoming a new person in relation to God and others through Christ. Maxie Dunnam

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. John Adams (1770)

***

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

“WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH AN EXTRA HOUR?” (Gen. 4:1-10)

Message delivered on Nov. 5, 2017 at 10:30 AM

First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY

J B Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “An Accident Funny”

A lady had just totaled her car in a horrific accident. Miraculously, she managed to pry herself from the wreckage without a scratch and was applying fresh lipstick when the state trooper arrived.

“My goodness!” the trooper gasped. “Your car looks like an accordion that was stomped on by an elephant. Are you okay, ma’am?”

“Why, yes, officer, I’m just fine,” the lady chirped.

“Well, how in the world did this happen?” the officer asked, as he surveyed the wrecked car.

“Officer, it was the strangest thing!” the lady began. “I was driving along this road when I started to doze off. When I woke up this tree from out of nowhere pops up in front of me. So I swerved to the right, and there was another tree! I swerved to the left and there was ANOTHER tree! I swerved to the right and there was another tree! I swerved to the left and there was….”

“Uh, ma’am,” the officer said, cutting her off, “There isn’t a tree on this road for 30 miles. That was your air freshener swinging back and forth on your rear view mirror.”

INTRODUCTION

I trust you all successfully remembered to change your clocks by one hour. If not, either you would have been way early for church – and on time for Sunday school, or you would have been way late for the morning service. So I’m glad you’re here!

I, too, helped in the changing of the many church clocks. I changed one clock, the one in my office. I knew the weekend was going to be busy, so I busied myself Friday to get the bulletin done and get a good head start on the services for Sunday. While taking a break, I looked up at the clock. Instantly I knew – I knew! – that those who usually change the clocks always mention about how they are really hesitant – I presume with “tongue in cheek” – to change the clock in my office. Something about a Miami Dolphin on the front of the clock. So early Friday afternoon, I changed the clock time.

About 6:10 pm, I was thankful that all my tasks were done, and that the cats would be glad that I would be well on time for their 7 pm feeding. When I remembered – I already changed the clock and it really was 7:10 pm. And THAT’S how I spent my extra hour.

Today’s passage talks about the use of time. In fact, it is the first mention of “time” in the NIV. Let’s pray that God will show us what He wants us to know about this first time. PRAYER

A. ONCE UPON A TIME (Gen. 4:1-10)

These verses tell the beginning of the first generation of children. Their names are “Cain” and “Abel”. We know them well. We know their “rest of the story” even without looking it up in the Bible. Cain will slew Abel, and the rest is history.

But let’s look at several interesting details about this account:

1. Vs. 1-2 are a fulfillment of 1:27-28, where God’s intent for man was to “be fruitful and increase” (multiply!). `

2. V. 2b. The boys’ occupations are described. The intent here is to show that they are being obedient to God’s command to “be fruitful”. No where does it condemn or praise one job over another. It was ok to be a keeper of flocks; it was equally ok to work the soil. These were honorable jobs. Point: all of us should be able to look back at the jobs we’ve had in life and say, “these were honorable jobs. I have given this job/these jobs my best.” God commends the hard worker; he condemns the lazy.

ILLUSTRATION

Look at Prov. 24:30ff. Be sure to examine the phrase “a little” which describes the lazy person who does everything half-hearted – yet is condemned for such work.

3. The time! Verse 3 introduces us to a random moment in time. Yet that random moment would become a life changer for each of these boys. This random moment no doubt was affected by their interaction with Adam and his lessons learned in the garden. Look up at 3:21 – the Lord replaced their fig leaves with garments caused by the shedding of blood. This was a life changing lesson, pointing to the cross.

4. The offerings (vs. 4-7) – the offering created by blood shed was what was honored by God. These offerings were NOT entries at a county fair. They were displays of the heart’s devotion for God, and Cain failed to show a godly heart. Heb. 9:22: “without the shedding of blood there is no remission (forgiveness of sins). Is your sin offering shed blood – the shed blood of the Lamb of God on Calvary?

5. A famous line (v. 9) which is often used today “am I my brother’s keeper?” – and the answer to the question is, “YES!”. Isn’t it interesting that the world has no use for the Bible, yet it would be astounded to know that it uses God’s word all the time!

6. A sobering statement (v. 10) Can it be that the Lord sees every drop of blood which man sheds in vain? Can it be that He has seen every one? This is pre-CSI [crime scene investigation], but the blood of Abel pointed directly to Cain’s vindictive act. God has tremendous value on every life.

Thus, “once upon a time”, seemingly in the course of random moments of eternity, two brothers were created to do the jobs that they were designed to do. Yet when it came to spiritual things, only one followed the God-given lessons passed down to him. How about you: what lessons are you passing down to your children and grandchildren? What lessons are you learning?

#2 ONCE UPON AN HOUR (Gospel of John)

In a few moments we will celebrate our monthly communion. And today’s message also points to another use of time in Scriptures. Howbeit these mentions of time are not random. They didn’t occur at seemingly unrelated moments in history. They were purposeful. They had direction. And the end result changed eternity forever.

Listen to these choice verses from the Gospel of John:

John 2:4: ““Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.””

John 7:30: At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.

John 8:20: He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.

And note His sudden change in focus, as if following a pre-determined purpose in mission:

John 12:23,27: Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified…“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.

John 13:1: It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

And finally, in His prayer just before the cross:

John 17:1: After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.”

Unlike the references to time in Genesis, Jesus’ knew His time. He knew His purpose. He knew His ultimate destiny was to glorify His Father through the giving of His life on Calvary as an offering for sin – like Abel’s, the ultimate sacrifice that was eternally pleasing to His Father.

Jesus moment in time was most purposeful. It was for you and for me. Aren’t you glad He invites all to trust Him and His sacrifice for our sins?

CONCLUSION

In preparing for this message, I found a most interesting passage in John 4. You remember the account. Jesus was interacting with the woman at the well. In the process, she was coming to some most fascinating conclusions about The One who was asking her to draw up some water. And in that interaction, the Savior makes this startling statement on true worship: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”

Notice He didn’t mention church nor religion. He mentioned true worship which is based upon an operation of the Holy Spirit coupled with a yielding to the truth, the written word of God.

What will you do with an extra hour? Jesus invites us to take the time to acknowledge Him and His Lordship in your life!

Close in prayer

 

Week Forty-Five, 2017

“If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days” (1 Kings 3:14).

Violet Brown, age 117 died recently. She was born in 1900 and spent most of her life cutting sugarcane in her native Jamaica. At the time of her death, she was noted as the oldest person in the world. She was baptized at age thirteen at the Trittonvale Baptist Church and remained a member throughout her life, long serving as the church organist. Shortly before her death she said about living longer: “This is what God has given me, so I have to take it.”

Recent studies have shown that people, like Violet, who worship regularly, tend to live a much longer life. Many Americans say they attend church because attending helps them stay grounded and gives them spiritual guidance. A new study suggests that regular attendance may also help increase their lifespan.

People who attend church live longer and are less stressed. The new study found middle-aged men and women’s health benefit from going to church. The research from Vanderbilt University reveals non-churchgoers are significantly more stressed than those who attend religious services.

The study said attending church is actually good for your health particularly for those who are between 40 and 65. For those who did not attend church at all were twice as likely to die prematurely than those who did attend church. According to the study, men and women who attend church or other houses of worship reduce their risk for mortality by 55 per cent.

The attitude about the place of religion in medical care is becoming more common among health care professionals and has been introduced into the curriculum of more medical schools.

Why should we be surprised about the results of these studies. It is spelled out so clearly in the Bible. “You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess” (Deuteronomy 5:33).

We should attend church to study and learn God’s Word, but a good off shoot of that is: Go to church regularly and live longer.

***

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

$2.99 SPECIAL

If you are a Senior you will understand this, or if you deal with Seniors, this should help you understand them a little better, and if you are not a Senior yet…….. God willing, someday you will be.

We went to breakfast at a restaurant where the ‘Seniors Special’ was two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $2.99. ‘Sounds good,’ my wife said, ‘But I don’t want the eggs.’

‘Then, I’ll have to charge you $3.49 because you’re ordering a la carte,’ the waitress warned her. ‘You mean I’d have to pay for not taking the eggs?’ my wife asked incredulously. ‘Yes!’ stated the waitress. ‘I’ll take the special then,’ my wife said.

‘How do you want your eggs?’ the waitress asked. ‘Raw and in the shell,’ my wife replied. She took the two eggs home and baked a cake.

STAND UP

A new teacher was trying to make use of her psychology courses. She started her class by saying, “Everyone who thinks they’re stupid, stand up!” After a few seconds, Little Johnny stood up. The teacher said, “Do you think you’re stupid, Little Johnny?” “No, ma’am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself!”

***

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

If we harbor hatred, our actions will usually give us away before our words ever get spoken.

Today’s children need a tackle box more than they need an X-Box.

When I was a child, I thought nap time was punishment. Now it’s like a mini-vacation.

It is the Christian’s duty to praise God. It is not only a pleasurable exercise, but it is the absolute obligation of his life.

—Alister Begg

FAKE NEWS

The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps Proverbs 14:15.

You can never give another person what you have found, but you can make him homesick for what you have.

—Oswald Chambers

It’s not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes happiness.

***

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

By J. B. Stopford

Fountains of Life

Philippians 4:8

by Brother Al

Who doesn’t delight in a garden fountain? There it is, spraying jets of sparkling water, in a lovely balanced pattern. The drops of water tinkle as they plunge headlong into the pool below. Thirsty birds and small animals visit the refreshing pool.

Though there is lively motion in the fountain, yet somehow it manages to transmit a message of peace, calmness, and serenity. The consistency of its dynamic flow casts an aura of comfort. A fountain cannot be ignored. It is so different from its surroundings. It is quickly noticed, even from a distance.

One Sunday morning, as I stood in the midst of the congregation, praising the Lord with my hands lifted up to give Him glory, I pondered the meaning of that moment. Why had God brought me to this exact place and time? I felt the revelation come from the Holy Spirit, bringing me a dynamic visualization I had not had before. I saw a fountain.

In this brief time, gathered together in worship and praise and adoration, we, His people, were being re-charged, re-filled, and re-commissioned. The commission was to

“Go forth, out of the sanctuary of replenishment, into the world of chaos and need, and there be fountains of life for the Lord. Go, take the certainty and power received here and spray it generously on all whom you meet.”

Just like a physical fountain of water, spraying forth its message, the fountain of the Lord sends out a beckoning call. It is a flow of Heavenly health, bursting forth in the garden of the Lord, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life”

Proverbs 10:11

As the righteous mingle with the world they have the opportunity to broadcast life. They can speak love, hope, virtue, charity, faith and, above all, honor of God. These are the ways the mouth of the righteous can endorse and amplify the stirrings that are already in the bosom of the bystander, placed there by the Holy Spirit. What they hear may inspire them to become friends of God. This is “evangelism by being.” It is a life style in which the mouth is a fountain of life. Romans 12 is full of hints on how to bring forth this image. Fellowship with God makes it a natural response.

“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life.”

Proverbs 13:14

When we speak of “teaching” we enter the realm of assertiveness. We are now talking about a deliberate attempt to change the understanding of another person. The world is full of teaching. Unfortunately, much of it is not wise. When the wise teach it is a fountain of life.

The wise, those in fellowship with God, ought to be alert to opportunities to deliver life, to spray it out as a fountain, to the thirsty souls they encounter. The Holy Spirit will be faithful in anointing the times and the words. The teaching will be His. The power will be His and the fruit will be the Lord’s. The wise, those in fellowship, need only be alert and responsive.

“Prudence is a fountain of life.”

Proverbs 16:22

Prudence speaks of the use of practical wisdom and judgement. When a person of God demonstrates responsibility in the conduct of their everyday life they radiate that pattern. By so doing, they inspire the same behavior in others. It is for the Holy Spirit to endorse their actions and inspire their duplication. The NLT says in Proverbs 21:5:

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”

Fellowship with God and the ministry of His Holy Spirit are the basis of knowing how to plan well. When They do the planning and we do the work the results are grand. The demonstration of this strategy in our lives results in an overflow in the lives of those who surround us. We become fountains of life.

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.”

Proverbs 14:27

To live in the presence of God, as a friend, as a member of His family, in deep fellowship, is to demonstrate to all around that God is to be honored and emulated, worshipped and obeyed, respected in every way. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life to the believer. The demonstration of the fear of the Lord is an invitation to the observer to start their own journey by becoming a friend of God.

Now picture yourself as a mobile fountain, a vessel of the Holy Spirit, passing through the field of God’s harvest, spraying forth the nourishing rain of God. These are the fountain flows by which a believer waters the world.

• The mouth of righteousness.

Speaking love, hope, joy, peace virtue, charity, faith, honor of God

• The teaching of the wise.

Directed by the Holy Spirit

• Prudence.

Demonstration of Godly wisdom

• Fear of the Lord.

Demonstrating the love for God

Lord,

Help your people,

Who are called by your Name,

Be Fountains of Life

In this world run dry.

10/17

Presented by Brother Al Salay, Blessed Man Ministries Inc.

1093 A1A Beach Blvd. #273, St. Augustine, FL 32080-6733

 

First Baptist Church

9 West Main St. Earlville, NY—J B Stopford, Pastor

Oct. 15, 2017 10:30 AM

“WHAT IS TRUTH?”

Psalm 25:5

TODAY’S SPECIAL

“A Grace Funny”—Sister Grace at the convent opened a letter from home and found a $100 bill from her parents. She smiled at the gesture. As she read the letter by the window, she noticed a shabbily-dressed stranger leaning against the lamppost below.

Quickly, she wrote, “Don’t despair. Sister Grace” on a piece of paper, wrapped the $100 bill in it, and tossed it out the window. The stranger picked it up and read the note. He tipped his hat to Sister Grace and hurried away.

The next day, Sister Grace was told that a man was asking to see her. She went down and found the stranger waiting. Without a word, he handed her a huge wad of $100 bills.

“What’s this?” she asked.“That’s your $8,000, Sister,” he replied. “‘Don’t Despair’ paid 80-to-1.”

INTRODUCTION

Several weeks ago, I gave a message here on the word “mercy”. In a nutshell, Mercy 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. And in a larger nutshell, that is what Jesus did for me, for you: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) (Eph. 2:4-5). Jesus on the cross is mercy on display. He died for the whole world, but His death on the cross can only be applied if you trust Him as your Savior. How do we get to that point?

Do you remember Jesus’ exchange with Pilate just before being condemned to death? In John 18:37-38 are these words: “Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”

“What is truth”! That is the question which each of us must ask God, we must ask ourselves, and we must be able to answer in order to apply what this dear treasure of God’s Word has to offer for each of us. For without truth, we can never understand God’s mercy. Today we are going to look at just a few passages to whet our spiritual thirst for God. PRAYER

#1. THE FOUNDATION FOR LIFE (Ps. 25:5)

The word “truth” appears 137 times in our NIV Bibles: 35 in the OT and 102 in the NT – with 23 of those in the Gospel of John.

It should not surprise us that the psalms – the hymns of the heart – have much to say about “truth.”

Psalm 25 is pretty special. Note the words of trust (vs. 1-3). Do we have that confidence in the Lord?

Note the words of the heart seeking direction (v. 4). The heart that is truly successful is the one which admits it needs help! And it knows where true help is found – in the Lord! Then note the words of of hope (v. 5) – and David finds that hope in “your truth.”

But note that David does not “have it all together”! He is just like one of us! Look at verses 16-19. But then look how he finishes (vs. 20-21), a prayer reminding God that God is his refuge. And finally verse 22 – David recognizes that the big picture is not David, but Israel. Do we see the big picture as involving the church? We should!

#2. THE REALITY OF LIFE (Isa. 59:15)

What one word keeps the people of God’s creation from understanding His truth: “iniquities” or “sins” (vs. 1ff). Funny isn’t it – or perhaps sad – that the world in which Isaiah lived really hasn’t improved much by today’s standards. Isaiah is very descriptive to show what His society was like – one which was more interested in personal lusts that in seeking God’s face.

With that, look at verses 15ff. “Truth is nowhere to be found” was the motto for Isaiah’s day. The key to the lawlessness of his day was one word: truth. No truth, no life. That was the reality of life.

But look at the picture of mercy coming in. The rest of verse 15 and the following verses show that what man could not do – save himself – God took his place. Holy God becomes one of us! Look at verse 20 – “the Redeemer will come to Zion, to those…who repent of their sins”.

Going from truth nowhere to be found to the Redeemer coming to Zion is a huge leap – and that is the nature of the God we worship.

#3. THE TRUTH IS LIFE (John 14:6)

One verse, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” answers doubting Thomas’ question in verse 5, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

The hunger of Thomas’ heart is our hunger.

The answer of Jesus’ lips is our hope.

The Truth is life!

It should not surprise us that all around us are those who have no hope. And it shouldn’t surprise us that most all of them are confused on this one main point: “who is Jesus?”. Is He just a man, or is He God in the flesh? The answer to that question will show where each of us will spend eternity.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, the life.” Know Who Jesus is, and you, too, will have the truth which is life!

CONCLUSION

It is believed that John 17 is a recording of Jesus’ prayer given to His Father while He was in the Garden of Gethsemane – just before going to the cross.
We have seen the foundation of life: the truth.

We have seen the reality of life: “truth is nowhere to be found” is the motto of both Isaiah’s day and our day as well.

And we have seen that the Truth IS life – even the Lord Jesus.

SO…if His Word is everything that it claims to be, and He is everything that He claims to be, what does that mean to me, to us? In John 17:17, Jesus said, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth.” In these 9 brief prayerful words, Jesus wrapped up the connection of truth with each of us. The hunger we have for a foundation in life is found in His Word, His Truth. And in finding that truth, we can be “sanctified”. Jesus uses a wonderful word which means simply this: “‘set them apart’, in essence, as belonging to Me. And do that through the Word which You have lovingly given to each one of them.”

What is Jesus saying? What is He praying? He is praying that each of us realizes that true Christianity isn’t what happens during these too brief moments we have together each Sunday morning. But rather, true Christianity is what He is doing through us each day of our lives as the Word of Truth becomes very intimate in each of our hearts and lives.

So Pilate asked, “what is truth?” The most powerful leader in Jerusalem had no idea what it is to really live – and the Truth was right in front of Him.

Every day, we have the most powerful Savior in eternity right near us, and He has given us His truth to have substance in our lives.

This week – how is His Truth going to make a difference in your life? Have you trusted the living Truth, even the Lord Jesus? Are you walking with the written Truth, even His Word?

If Pilate asked you today, “What is Truth?”, would our lives give a clear answer to that question?

Close in prayer.