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Ecclesiastes 12:11 Here’s another selection from the sayings and quotes I’ve collected over the years.  Read, consider and be blessed! > Nothing changes if nothing changes. > Jesus didn’t come into the world to make bad people good.  He came to make dead people live. – Ravi Zacharias > It is better to burn out than to rust out. – Christmas Evans > The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.  –  Theodore Roosevelt > A humble prayer: “Dear God, I have a problem.  It’s me.” > The world sees what you do.  God sees why you do it. > Be known as faithful.  If you say, “Let’s do lunch,” do lunch.                                                – Andree Seau > Baseball is like church.  Many attend, few understand. – Leo Durocher > Be courageous.  Don’t be afraid to do ... what you are afraid to do. > Life is short.  If you can’t laugh at yourself, call me, and I will. > “What are you seeking?”  – Jesus ><>  Jeff

1 Corinthians 14:33, 40 In the assemblies of the church at Corinth, there was a lot of confusion brought on by a lack of love and the desire for some to have a prominent place in the proceedings.  Paul instructs them in how the assembly should be conducted: “all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.”  The theological principle behind this is that “God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” This principle of God’s orderliness is everywhere.  The rotation of the earth gives us day and night, prevailing winds and ocean currents.  This rising and setting of the sun gives man the measure for his work and rest.  The revolution of the earth around the sun provides seasons, one after the other, year after year.  We could multiply examples, but the structured rhythms and orderliness of the universe all reflect the character and ways of God Himself. In His dealing with Israel, God established order.  In Numbers we read how the tribes camped in designated places around the tabernacle and the order in which they traveled..  The different families of the Levites were each assigned their own duties relative to the tabernacle.  Tribal inheritances in Canaan were apportioned by lot based upon tribal population and laid out with distinct boundaries. When Jesus fed the 5000, He had them sit in companies of 50 and 100.  Titus (1:5) was left in Crete to “set in order what remains.” With good order in creation and throughout the Bible based upon the person of God Himself, why would Christians think it would be acceptable to God or to any advantage to live a life of disorder and confusion?  Yet, so many do just that. Households run daily in disarray.  Children tell the parents what to do.  Homes and apartments are sloppy, unkempt and inhospitable.   Finances are disorganized: no budgets, no control, no accountability.  Husbands and wives don’t communicate and work at cross purposes.  No regular prayer or Bible reading.  It’s chaos and confusion.  So much time, energy and resources being wasted. If your life is a disorderly mess, work to get it in order.  You and all your family will notice a blessed difference! ><>  Jeff

Matthew 16:24-26 Jesus teaches in several places about the cost of discipleship and the true value of one’s life or soul.  Most of us remember His words: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?...”  Sometimes we read “the whole world” and might have a difficult time relating to the enormity of such a concept.  Few of us deal in “whole world” aspirations.  Perhaps if we downsize the thought and bring it closer home it will make a more heart-felt impact. What good is it ... if a man works hard all his life, owns his own home and has a comfortable retirement and loses his soul? What good is it ... if a man puts all of his children through college, and they have good jobs and own their own home and are happy in their marriages, and they lose their souls? What good is it ... if a woman earns a PhD and reaches into the top echelon of her field of study and becomes the department head at a prestigious university, and she loses her soul? What good is it ... if a man prospers enough to buy the best bass boat on the market, is able to go fishing three or four times a week, catches a state record large-mouth bass and loses his soul? What good is it ... if a woman obtains a job with a major non-profit organization, is able to accomplish unprecedented fund-raising and help many people in poverty, and loses her soul? What good is it ... if a man owns his own business which employs many people, and he is able to generate multi-million dollar income and have all the perks of being one of the “big wheels” in the business world and loses his soul? What good is it ... if a couple is happy in their marriage, raise good kids, do some volunteer work in their community and are known for being “the nicest couple” and lose their souls? What good is it ... if a person is able to have whatever they want, do whatever they want, go wherever they want, and lose their soul? What good is it ... ? ><>  Jeff

Mark 8:34-38 What is your biggest problem?  Such a question will, no doubt, elicit a host of responses.  You might say, “I’ve got all kinds of problems!”  But when you read that, what came to your mind? Perhaps you thought money.  If you only had a little more income to take care of those couple of large bills, then things would be a lot better.  You could breathe easier and have a clearer mind for serving in the kingdom. Perhaps you thought health.  You have a chronic condition, maybe very serious.  If this were only cleared up or alleviated to some extent, you’d feel better and feel more like doing things for the Lord. Perhaps you thought of your marriage.  You know it isn’t what the Lord wants it to be.  You and your spouse are often at odds and have grown to be somewhat distant.  If your relationship were just improved, then it would be a real load off of your shoulders. Perhaps you thought of any number of other things: your current employment situation, your addiction (which you are hiding from everyone), family troubles with children, older age related infirmities, questions about retirement, your no-growth discipleship ... the list is varied and near endless. Each of these situations is troublesome and needs to be handled in a prudent way according to the teachings of our Lord.  But none of them are ever your biggest problem.  Your biggest problem - is you! Jesus said that if a person wanted to become His disciple he must “deny himself.”  This means that I am the main thing which keeps getting between me and my following Jesus.  You see, I am the one who makes decisions for me; I am the one who deals with my temptations; I am the one who handles my problems; I am the one who decides what I do with my time; I am the one who rationalizes and makes excuses; I am the one who chooses how to respond to others and to God.  And, of course, I don’t always do it right. So how do I handle my biggest problem?  What did Jesus say?  “Deny yourself and take up your cross.”   Listen to Him and do things His way.  It’s a tough assignment, but it can be done - with His help. ><>  Jeff

Proverbs 18:13; James 1:19 “Rhonda, you look really down.  What’s the matter?” “Mandy, I’ve got to tell you, it’s bad.  We don’t know what we’re going to do!” “So, what’s going on?” “Justin lost his job” “You’re kidding!” “No, I’m not.  He went in to work yesterday, and they told him that his services were no longer needed.  I’m just sick.  Had a migraine last night.  We have the mortgage, car payments; Jill’s in college; we’re still paying on those medical bills, and I’m...” “Now don’t you worry.  Everything’s going to be fine.  Why I remember back about twenty years ago when Kyle lost his job.  They let him go when the economy went south.  We had a big mortgage, two car payments, two kids in college, and we made it.  We scrimped a lot.  Ate mac ’n cheese, hot dogs - you know.  Kyle took two part time jobs, and I went to work at a pizza place.  We didn’t see each other much in those days.  There were times when we didn’t think we were going to make it, but we did.  Why, I remember one time when we had to sell off some things in order to make the mortgage payment.  It was really touch ‘n go for that one year.  I’ll never forget the time...” As we reflect on this conversation between Rhonda and Mandy, and maybe crack a smile or two, let’s ask some questions.  Do you think Mandy helped Rhonda?  In the end, about whom was this conversation?  Was Mandy a good listener? As detached listeners, we can see that in this case one person hijacked the other’s misfortune to talk about herself.  Most likely Mandy meant well, but in the end, she wasn’t really much help.  She did not give Rhonda the chance to really open up, talk, and release some of that frustration and fear that was surely inside of her.  Mandy was not a good listener.  James says we “must be quick to hear.” Listening is not easy.  Let’s ask God to help us be better listeners, not only to Him but to one another. ><>  Jeff

Ephesians 5:20 Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire, If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference. It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings. – via mikeysFunnies.com Paul writes: “always giving thanks for all things...”  This is often perplexing and not easy, but it can yield rich fruits.  Reach deep into your heart and soul, and be thankful. ><>  Jeff

Deuteronomy 3:1-11 When Israel was nearing the end of its journey to Canaan, they had to travel on the east side of the Jordan River and conquer two kingdoms before reaching the place where they were to cross over the Jordan.  Og was the king of one of these kingdoms called Bashan.  The scriptures describe for us, oddly enough, his bed! We are told that it was made of iron, and it was about 13 ½ feet long (nine cubits) and about 6 feet wide (four cubits).  The reason for such a huge bed made of iron was that Og was “of the remnant of the Rephaim” which was evidently a people who were considered giants.  This was truly a king size bed for a king size king! Now, is this just some bit of Bible trivia or does it have some import?  If we go back some forty years, we have the incident where Israel had spied out Canaan in preparation for its conquest.  But ten of the spies brought back a “bad report” (Numbers 13:32-33),  and part of their report was that there were giants in the land.  As a result, they did not listen to the Lord and had to wander in the wilderness for forty years.  Now they were facing another giant in Og the king of Bashan.  As before, Moses encourages the people with the words from the Lord, “Do not fear him, for I have given him and all his people and his land into your hand...”  This time the outcome is different for this generation listens to the Lord and defeats Og and his people. So what lesson is there in all of this for you and me?  Sometimes our problems and our enemies can look like giants!  We cannot see how a situation can be resolved, how any good could come out of something or how there could possibly be an adequate solution to our trouble.  Our enemies appear to be giants who have the upper hand and be “holding all the cards.”  In times like these, we need to look to the Lord even more and remember the words of another person who faced off with a giant: “...the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47). Are there any “giants” in your life?  You know to whom to turn.  Have faith in the Lord. ><>  Jeff

Matthew 8:20 For all intents and purposes after He began His ministry, Jesus was homeless.  He admitted the same (see our text), and although he had places to stay with others (Mary, Martha and Lazarus; Peter, etc.), He did not own or rent a dwelling which He could call home.  He was an itinerant rabbi, a traveling preacher. Jesus was homeless in another sense as well.  Paul writes how Jesus left heaven, becoming a bond-servant, taking on “the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-8).  In doing this, He emptied Himself by giving up privileges and humbled Himself to endure death on a cross.  While on the earth, Jesus was separated from His home in heaven and away from the presence of His Father.  Toward the end of His time on earth, He spoke often of His “coming” to His Father (John 17:11-13, et al).  Jesus was looking forward to going home. What would cause a person to leave the environs of a heavenly home?  What would cause someone to leave a place with perfect love, harmony, and fellowship?  What would cause an individual to leave a world of glory to go to a very different world filled with darkness and evil?  What would cause someone to leave a home of peace and safety for one filled with trouble and suffering? The answer to these perplexing questions lies in the words of the Son of Man Himself.  “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!  But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!” (Luke 12:49-50).  Jesus left heaven for a reason, and it wasn’t a weekend tour bus trip or simply a vacation to visit a foreign country.  He was sent on a mission - a mission to overthrow evil, save the human race and provide for the reconciliation of all things to God.  It was about good versus evil, right versus wrong, truth versus the lie, obedience versus rebellion. Immediately after accomplishing His task, Jesus was ready to return to His Father.  In the garden, He tells Mary: “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father ... I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God” (John 20:17). Is there any lesson in all this for us? ><>  Jeff

Matthew 13:52 We are creatures of habit.  In many ways that is good: in others, not so much.  For example, it is a good thing that we can learn to drive an automobile by using habitual actions.  When a person first learns to drive, he or she must think and concentrate deliberately on such actions as using the brake, the accelerator, steering, turn signals, etc.  But as one practices and becomes acclimated to driving, these things and many others become habit or second nature.  As a result, we are able to focus more on other traffic, signals, road signs, GPS, etc. In contrast, we can be so used (habituated) to taking a certain route to a certain destination that if we start out on the same route to a different destination, we might well miss the turn off for the different place if we aren’t careful.  Been there and done that! Such habit patterns can affect every aspect of our lives.  In our Bible study we can be so habituated to studying the same subjects, books or scriptures that we regularly turn to them to study.  We become comfortable with them because we “know” them well, and they probably give us peace and encouragement. On the other hand, it takes more concentrated effort to explore a topic or book or section of scripture with which we are not so familiar.  Our mind and heart are not so “tuned in” to these new learning frontiers. Jesus tells us that teachers who are trained for the kingdom of heaven will be aware of the need to teach both “things new and old” (see our text).  At times we need to review the foundational teachings and those things with which we are familiar.  For some people these will be new.  For others there may well be new insight, and still for others things will be reinforced.  However, new things need to be explored as well.  We should not be afraid of seldom studied topics or scriptures which seem to be more difficult than others but dig into them with much prayer, zeal and determination, knowing that they are rich with wisdom and spiritual truths, as well. God’s word is a treasure trove of knowledge of all sorts.  Dig deep and explore.  Spiritual gems are everywhere! ><>  Jeff

Psalm 118:22-24 One of the greatest mistakes we humans make is to presume our own existence.  It is a dangerous practice simply to assume you will get up tomorrow morning.  Life is not guaranteed.  Tomorrow is not automatic.  Every day is a gift - from God! The Psalmist acknowledged this fact: “This is the day which the Lord has made...”  Within the context of those words, he was looking forward to a particular day, the one in which the Christ would be established as the cornerstone of the kingdom of heaven.  But the principle holds true for every day.  Time and life are in the hands of God.  The Hebrew author (1:3) writes that the Son: “upholds all things by the word of His power...” As one grows older in years, approaching or even surpassing our “threescore and ten,” these truths become more evident and more personal.  When there are aches and pains, the effects of various health conditions, even emotional weariness - every day is truly a blessing.  Every good day is a great blessing - a gift from our Father. What shall we do with these gifts from God?  Whether twenty-five or seventy-five, how do we use this gift of life and time which has been placed into our hands?  It is cause for serious reflection. Shall we fritter our lives away in mind-numbing pursuits?  Will we drown ourselves in video games, TV programs, movies, endless interaction on social media and internet browsing?  Will we simply amuse ourselves to death with the next holiday, the next sports championship, the next sale, the next vacation, the next birthday, the next road trip, the next live-stream, the next weekend...? Most of these things in moderation are OK, but they can become narcotic.  They are addictive.  And we are made for nobler things.  We were made for things which bring blessedness to both giver and receiver - for a word of encouragement (even a text?), a prayer, a helping hand, a hug, a smile, a card, a visit, a word of hope, a cup of coffee, a gentle reminder, a meal, a token of love, a word of good news about a loving Lord...we were made for nobler things. God has given you today.  What will you do? ><>  Jeff

Ecclesiastes 12:11 Here’s yet another sampling of the sayings and quotes I’ve collected over the years.  Read, ponder, enjoy and be blessed! >                    At one time I had all the answers; then I learned which questions to ask. >                    ...it must be conceded that a Bible writer’s plain statement beats an uninspired assumption every time! - Jim McGuiggan >                    At first, sin is like an occasional visitor; then like a guest who stays for a while; and finally like the master of the house. – Rabbi Yitzhak >                    I recommend you to take care of the minutes, for the hours will take care of themselves.  – Lord Chesterfield >                    Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.  – Celtic adage >                    God has no need to prove anything.  – Philip Yancey >                    Quit saying, “If only...” and start saying, “Next time...” >                    If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. >                    Some people can’t tell a lie. Others can’t tell the truth. And others can’t tell the difference. >                    A smile sounds the same in any language. >                    Is Jesus a part of our lives, or are we a part of His? ><>  Jeff

John 19:4-11 Pilate, the vicious but politically savvy governor, found no fault in Him.  More than once he told this to Jesus’ accusers.  He knew that He was guilty of no crimes, but the Jews would have none of it.  They wanted rid of Him.  Innuendos.  Accusations. “Give us Barabbas!”  “Crucify Him!”  “Crucify!” At one point, the Jews told Pilate: “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God.”  This was the law of blasphemy.  Of course, Jesus was not guilty of blasphemy, but they thought he was for He referred to God as His Father (John 5:17-18).  Nothing Jesus did had dissuaded them from holding to their law.  Not His wise and insightful teaching.  Not His numerous, wonderful, and without-a-doubt miracles.  The lame walked; the deaf heard; the blind could see; the leper came clean; the crippled were straightened; the dead lived - THE DEAD LIVED! What kind of world cannot see the power, the glory and the goodness in a Man who can bring a person back to life?  Back from the grave?  What kind of world hates such a man, pronounces him guilty of a crime and agitates to have him put to death?  What kind of world kills its God? It is a world which takes its cues from lies and falsehoods.  It is a world driven my lusts, passions and appetites of the flesh.  It is a world running on feelings and fears.  It is a world in which every person guards their own interests and pushes others away.  It is a world where good deeds are done but for the personal advancement of the doer.  It is a world where people are manipulated and exploited for the benefit of those in power.  It is a world in which people fear and hate what they don’t understand and don’t bother to try to understand.  It is a world where the desire for personal power, fame, money, sexual indulgence and pleasure are the driving force and the measuring stick.  It is a world which makes its own rules, follows its own rules and breaks its own rules when it’s expedient.  It is a world where the devil still prowls and untruth is his weapon. It is the world in which we still live.  Beware! ><>  Jeff