Random Facts: Words form only 7% of our communication with anyone, including spouses. Tone of voice accounts for 38% and body language is responsible for 55% of the messages spouses receive from each other. - Provided by RandomHistory.com This is why it is so hard to communicate with others online. Words. In any language it only accounts for 7%. I can't hear you! I can't see you! If you don't write it down correctly, it is even harder to understand what they're saying. It also depends on how well you can read and understand the use of your own language. I did not use three words that are misused a lot. Apparently the schools in the U.S.A., have failed miserably in teaching the proper use of the American English language. The words are; their, they're, and there. Although they sound alike, and spell checkers will not check for proper use, their use can easily change the meaning of a sentence. So how should each be used in a sentence? Here are some sites that may help in communicating with others, there on the web. I find them very useful and use them every day. Check them out and put them in your favorites menu. http://dictionary.reference.com/ (type in they're in the search box and hit return.) http://www.etymonline.com/ (For a better understanding of the history of the English words.) http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm (Guide to Grammar and Writing)
James warn that the tounge is like a fire.. we must be careful what we say because what we say today could have consequences that stretch out many years..
This has got to be the Wisest thing ever presented by you or by Anyone, in Ages my Dear Bro Jig. It must be so, critical even for us here, as, All of your correct spelling and straight-forward message here is something all of us need to abide to, pay Attention to,,, Not so much as an message to everyday people, but by to US, claiming or making Godly statements while we are not of a "righteous kind", we (I) found myself getting bitten, when "trying" to make righteous statements, or to accomplish righteous acts with others,,,. Thanx man,,,Very much appreciated. Realizing all this makes One, a Humble one,,,,
"According to a new report that just came out, the average college freshman reads at a seventh-grade level. Or if you're an optimist every seventh-grader now reads at a college freshman level" - Conan O'Brien Here are some sad facts. The U.S. Government and States of the Union spend nearly $50,000 to keep convicted felons in prison, compared to less than $10,000 per student in elementary schools. http://campusreform.org/?ID=6174 "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug." - Mark Twain
"Even to your old age . . . I am he who will sustain you." (Isa 46:4 NIV) AGING WELL Doctor Marian Diamond, a researcher in aging, found that deliberately induced challenges are required to keep our brains healthy and functioning. In one experiment a group of lab rats was given food, while another group had obstacles placed in front of their dishes. The rats that had to overcome challenges learned to solve problems more proficiently than the comfortable rats. The fewer problems a rat experienced, the faster its brain went downhill. They also discovered that if you put twelve rats together in a cage and gave them challenges, their brains developed better than when they had to face the same obstacles in isolation. And when researchers ran the same experiment with rats that were 600 days or older (the equivalent of 60 human years), the results were the same. The rats actually lived to be 800 days old. Then researchers decided to show them love. The rodents had the same challenges as before, but afterwards researchers would pick them up, hold them against their lab coats, pet them, and speak kindly. They'd say, "You"re one sweet rat," or whatever it is you say to a rat! And when they did, those critters did more than break the 800-day barrier. At 904 days, not only were they alive-they were continuing to develop. The fact is, they developed more mental resilience under challenging conditions because they were part of a community, whereas isolation caused their brain power to diminish. Bottom line: To age well you need a God-given challenge, love, and good relationships. © 2015 Celebration Inc.
"Wives, submit to your own husbands." (Eph 522 NKJV) IF YOU'RE A WIFE Some people use this Scripture to treat women like a doormat, and rob them of their voice and right to any leadership role. Read the Bible! Deborah led the nation of Israel. (Jud 4:4-14; 5:1-15) Huldah the prophetess spoke the Word of God to kings. (2 Ki 22:14-20; 2 Ch 34:22-28) Let's read the Scripture again: "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord". As a wife you are called to submit to "your own husband", not to all men. In God's eyes men and women are equal. (See Gal 3:28). Paul is not speaking about your person, he's speaking about your role in the home. As a human being, a general is not more important than a sergeant. But for an army to function successfully there must be a respected chain of command where one leads and the other follows. God doesn't want you to squirm under your husband's leadership, but snuggle up into the security that it should afford you. You can excel in your career yet still allow yourself to enjoy being nurtured, loved, and protected by your husband. Properly understood, your husband's love and leadership does not rob you of your strength, it simply keeps you in balance by allowing you to reconnect with your softness and femininity. But a word of caution: If you're looking for a man to be your everything, forget it! God's the only One who can be everything. By expecting perfection from your husband, you're asking more from someone else than you can provide yourself. Here's God's plan: "She is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered". (1 Pe 3:7 NLT). ©Celebration Inc. 2015
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus." Ro 10:9 NKJV MAKE JESUS "LORD" OF YOUR LIFE There are two parts to being a Christian. First, you must accept Jesus as your Savior. Second, and much more difficult, you must make Jesus your Lord - "the undisputed boss!" There is just enough ego in each of us to want to be in control, and that part of us must be crucified daily. Crucifixion is one of the most painful deaths you can experience, because you die slowly and excruciatingly. And as long as your ego has breath left in it, it will rise up and fight for control. When you make Jesus Lord of your life, you give up control in three areas: (1) Jesus, not you, decides where you will go. (2) Jesus, not you, decides the price you'll have to pay. (3) Jesus, not you, decides the person you'll become. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." (Mt 13:45-46 NKJV). Note the words "all that he had." If you want to know the cost of making Jesus Lord of your life, it will cost you all you have. This man valued the pearl so highly that he considered it worth any price he had to pay. So here's the question: What value do you place on your relationship with Christ? This man believed that the return would be greater than the investment. Do you believe that? Salvation is free, but making Jesus Lord of your life demands that you surrender your all to Him. Are you ready for that? Are you willing? © Celebration Inc. 2015 The Greek word used here for mouth is stoma: "since thoughts of a man's soul find verbal utterance by his mouth, the "heart" or "soul" and the mouth are distinguished." It also has the meaning of the edge of a sword. "For the word of God is living and full of power, and is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through and making a division even of the soul and the spirit, the bones and the muscles, and quick to see the thoughts and purposes of the heart." (Heb 4:12 BEB)
"Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband." 1 Co 7:3 NKJV SHOW AFFECTION TO ONE ANOTHER The Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful and costly tombs ever built. And there's a legend that surrounds it. When the favorite wife of Indian ruler Shah Jahan died, he ordered it built as a memorial to her. He placed her casket in the middle of a parcel of land, and construction literally began around it. But several years into the venture, his grief for his wife gave way to his passion for the project. One day while he was surveying the site, he reportedly stumbled over a wooden box and had it thrown out. It was months before he realized it was his wife's casket. The original purpose for the memorial-got lost in the details of construction! There's a lesson here: It's called "misplaced values." If you're a husband and a father, your wife and children probably appreciate the things you work to provide. But do you know what they really want? You! Your time. Your attention. Your affection! J. Paul Getty was one of the world's richest men, yet he failed miserably with his own family. He wrote: "I've never been given to envy, save for the envy I feel toward those people who have the ability to make a marriage work and endure happily. It's an art I've never been able to master." So in your quest to build your Taj Mahal, try to remember the purpose for which you are building it. "Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband." © Celebration Inc. 2015 _________________ The Greek word rendered as "affection" here in the NKJV, is also rendered as "marital duty" in the NIV, and "conjugal rights" in the ESV. The Greek is word is opheileo (off-i-lay'-oh) and is actually meant the same as a debt, something owed. As given by Strong's, "to owe money, be in debt for". Another example is given at Lu 16:5. "So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, "How much do you owe my master?"" (NIV) The word "debtors" is a compound use (chreopheiletes - khreh-o-fi-let'-ace)
“When he was still a great way off, his father...had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.†Lk 15:20 NKJV GOD’S PROMISE TO PRODIGALS (1) Here’s an interesting and largely unknown thing about the story of the Prodigal Son, as pointed out by Pastor James Bradley. Jewish families living in small villages were tightly knit communities where people knew one another well. So when something like this happened, word traveled fast. When the younger son demanded his inheritance it was like saying to his father, “I can’t wait until you die. I want what’s mine, now!†Such a thing was unheard of. Then he went away, forgot the values he’d been taught, and squandered his inheritance on parties and prostitutes. As a result he ended up destitute, working in a pigpen. For a Jew, you can imagine the stigma. After breaking his father’s heart and the rules of the community, he decided to come back home. And that’s when his father “ran†to meet him. Here’s why. Had he reached home after failing so badly, the village elders would have held a “ceremony of shame†known in Hebrew as kezazah They’d have taken a clay pitcher and smashed it on the ground in front of him, meaning his ties with the community were broken and he was no longer welcome. That’s why his father ran to meet him. He was saying, “I have to get to my son with grace before they get to him with the law. I have to give him hope before they take it away. I have a different ceremony in mind: a homecoming party to celebrate his restoration.†And what the father did for his Prodigal Son that day, God will do for you today if you’ll only turn to Him.© Celebration Inc. 2015 (Luke 15:11-32) Shouldn’t it be like this for anyone who has fallen away from the truth, instead of shunning or marking, embarrassing them before the whole congregation as the ancient Jews would have done. Jesus set the example. WWJD = What Would Jesus Do? [video=youtube;AY8uBtXh7ik]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY8uBtXh7ik[/video] He come a ridin' He come a ridin' He come a ridin' He come... Four A.M., look who come a callin' Ridin' down the road Billy come back from a journey of folly Ridin' down the road He come ridin' back home Warming the hearts of his own He come downtown Des Moines And now he starts to putting me down I don't think he's been rolling too long Eighteen years of total revolution Ridin' down the road Say listen to me daddy Now I've got a solution Ridin' down the road Why not let me come in I'm still your boy and your kin Remember the prodigal sin Said son we're gonna give unto you What mama thinks you got comin' due He come a ridin' Billy come a call come a call, call He come a ridin' He's ridin' down, down, down, (yeah) Eighteen years of total revolution Come ridin' down the road Say listen to me mama Now I've got a solution Ridin' down the road Why not let me come in (HE SAID...) I'm still your boy and your kin Remember the prodigal sin Said son we're gonna give unto you What daddy thinks you got comin' due (yeah) He come a ridin' Billy come a call come a call, call He come a ridin' He's ridin', ridin' down the road He come a ridin' Ohhh. He come a ridin' Ridin', ridin' He come a ridin' He come a ridin' Ridin', ridin' He come a ridin' Ridin', ridin'
“My son was...lost and is found. And they began to be merry.†Lk 1524 NKJV GOD’S PROMISE TO PRODIGALS (2) Observe what the father did for his Prodigal Son the moment he humbled himself and said, “I have sinned†(v. 18 NKJV), because God will do the same for you. (1) “The father said to his servants, ‘Bring the best robe and put it on him’†(v. 22 NKJV). Can you imagine what this boy smelled like and looked like after wallowing in the muck of a hog pen? Can you identify with him? Good news: God covers our sinfulness in the robe of Christ’s righteousness. And from that point on He sees us “in Christ.†Therefore we are always acceptable in His eyes. (2) “Put a ring on his hand†(v. 22 NKJV). This was the family signet ring used in transacting business. When placed on wax. It was equal to a signature. More good news: God doesn’t partially restore you, He recommissions you and gives you back full authority to do business in His name. (3) “Put. . .sandals on his feet†(v. 22 NKJV). The Prodigal Son was getting ready to say to his father, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.†(v. 19 NKJV). In those days hired servants didn’t wear shoes in public; only sons did. How wonderful—his father gave him the full rights of sonship. (4) “Bring the fatted calf here and kill it and let us eat and be merry†(v. 23 NKJV). You don’t fatten a calf overnight! The father had been planning this celebration for a long time. He never gave up on his son. And the word for you today is: God hasn’t given up on you either! Come back to Him and let Him restore you. ©Celebration Inc. 2015
“If you have faith and do not doubt†Mt 21:21 NIV HOW TO OVERCOME DOUBT Doubt is a doorway through which Satan enters your life. It causes the “fight of faith†to become the “flight of faith.†When fear, confusion, discouragement, and despair take up residence within you, they rob you of confidence, joy, and peace. But isn’t doubting just human? Sure, and it’s also Satan’s ploy! “Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given†(1 Jn 5:10 NIV). Your doubts reveal a lack of confidence in what God says. So how can you stop doubting? The same way you deal with other sin-by acknowledging you have a problem and doing something about it. Doubt cannot be conquered by reason or even resistance; it will only submit to complete relinquishment. Trying to overcome your doubts one by one is like an alcoholic trying to reduce his or her alcohol intake one drink at a time. It doesn’t work. The solution is two-fold. (1) It begins with a once-for-all decision. It calls for a total relinquishing of your right to doubt anything God promised. It’s saying. “From now on, I will not doubt God!†It’s believing that when you surrender a thing to Him, He takes it and deals with it. (2) By faith declare, “Lord, I absolutely trust Your every Word!†Will doubt come knocking again to your door? Yes, but instead of letting it in, “[take] the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked†(Eph 6:16). Don’t fret, wrestle, or reason with your doubts. Instead, repeat your Scriptural declaration of faith, disregard your feelings, and trust God to do what He says. © Celebration Inc. 2015 I happened to watch the “CBS Sunday Morning†show yesterday and there was a segment titled “Atheists: In godlessness we trust.†You can click on the link below to watch it. (If you choose.) It is about those whom James was talking about, “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.†( Jas 1:6 NASB ) Tossed by the wind could also be; “following a trendâ€,whatever is popular at the time. Throw away those old clothes because they are out of style. This particular show had people who “chose†to turn away from God. There was a women who had a T-shirt emblazoned with, Walking by Sight, NOT Faith! The Greek word that James uses for doubt is diakrino, a compound of dia (dee-ah) denoting the channel of an act, and krino (kree’-no), to separate, to prefer, select, etc. It is a choosing between two different actions, to withdraw from one, desert. They have chosen to disregard the testimony given in the Bible, “because he has not believed the testimony God has givenâ€. The Greek word used by John is, marturia (mar-too-ree'-ah), what one testifies, testimony, i.e. before a judge. testimony (n.) c. 1400, “proof or demonstration of some fact, evidence, piece of evidence;†early 15c., “legal testimony, sworn statement of a witness,†from Old North French testimonie (Old French testimoine 11c.), from Latin testimonium “evidence, proof, witness, attestation,†from testis “a witness, one who attests†(see testament) + -monium, suffix signifying action, state, condition. Despite the common modern assertion, the sense of the word is unlikely to have anything to do with testicles (see testis). Earliest attested sense in English is “the Ten Commandments†(late 14c.), from Vulgate use of Late Latin testimonium, along with Greek to martyrion (Septuagint), translations of Hebrew ‘eduth “attestation, testimony†(of the Decalogue), from ‘ed “witness.†testament (n.) late 13c., “last will disposing of property,†from Latin testamentum “a last will, publication of a will,†from testari “make a will, be witness to,†from testis “witness,†from PIE *tri-st-i- “third person standing by,†from root *tris- “three†on the notion of “third person, disinterested witness.†Use in reference to the two divisions of the Bible (early 14c.) is from Late Latin vetus testamentum and novum testamentum, loan-translations of Greek palaia diatheke and kaine diatheke. Late Latin testamentum in this case was a confusion of the two meanings of Greek diatheke, which meant both “covenant, dispensation†and “will, testament,†and was used in the former sense in the account of the Last Supper (see testimony) but subsequently was interpreted as Christ’s “last will.†These individuals choose to not believe the testimony given by God. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/atheists-in-godlessness-we-trust/
Righteous vs Unrighteous and Believer vs Unbeliever What is the difference between these words used in the Bible. What are their meaning in the Greek language which is translated into English. “The hope I have in God I also share with my accusers, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.†( Acts 24:15 CEB ) This is according to what Paul said in his trial before governor Felix. The Greek words derive from the same root word dikaios [dik'-ah-yos] having the meaning of: “observing divine laws, innocent, faultless, guiltless, used of him whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God, and who therefore needs no rectification in the heart or life.†The polar opposite of this is adikos [ad'-ee-kos]: descriptive of one who violates or has violated justice, of one who deals fraudulently with others, deceitful. Both words come from the root word dike [dee’-kay], meaning “custom, a judicial hearing, judicial decision, esp. sentence of condemnation.†From what Paul said in his expression of hope in the resurrection, the account says, “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek,†( Acts 16:1 NASB ) The Greek word used here is pistos [pis-tos’] trusty, faithful, which comes from the root peitho [pi’-tho] meaning to persuade, to induce one by words to believe. The opposite is apistos [ap'-is-tos] meaning “unfaithful, faithless, unbelieving, incredulous without trust (in God). From these scriptures, there is a difference between righteous, believer, and unrighteous, faithless. I conclude that even though a person may be unrighteous and still have faith, the will have a resurrection. Whereas, a person without faith is a non-believer, will not have a resurrection. The reason that I say this is because the writers of the Bible use distinct words when mentioning the resurrection.
I have been wondering these past 19 years with Father, and Jesus. I was a JW for 30 years. I have missed Gods people. I had no idea where to look for them. I have never stopped serving our God. I feel like I'm home here.
Hello Domenic, Welcome A-Board. A little light humor. I was going to give you some information about your question: “It is my understanding all people will be in the 1,000 year rule of Jesus, unless they died at a judgment by God.†I posted some information in my #192 post here. I hope that helped you a little. Whether a person will be resurrected during the 1,000 year reign of Christ can’t be answered with scriptural backing. I know there are many who think the have the answer but, they can’t. This is where the “mystery†of God lies. I know how you feel about that “past 19 yearsâ€. Mine was 24 years. I reached a point where I realized that I needed Jehovah and Jesus back in my life. I found Robert King’s website and that got me fired up again. I don’t attend the Kingdom Halls because it would really be a waste of time, and I would soon be disfellowshipped. My reason for leaving in the first place was due to corruption in the organization, and false prophesies about the “end times†and other issues. I consider this place our congregation. In the Greek language, it was ekklesia; meaning, “an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting.†So, this is our little meeting place where we are not afraid to address issues put forth in the Bible.
"The law of the LORD is perfect" Ps 19:7 NKJV THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD (1) Of all the words ever spoken, only "the word of God is alive and powerful" (Heb 4:12 NLT). So when you read your Bible you tap into a life-changing force. Let's look at some of the wonderful characteristics and effects attributed to God's Word in Psalm 19. (1) "The law of the LORD is perfect." To understand the word "law," think of governing forces by which things like gravity, aerodynamics, and physics work. When you deny or defy these laws you suffer; when you operate according to them you succeed. But either way, they are always in force! And so is God's Word. It cannot be improved upon, added to, or taken from. It is adequate and able to accomplish His purposes in your life. Additionally, it "refreshes the soul!" Why wouldn't you embrace it? (2) "The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy." (v. 7 NIV). You can count on the reliability and accuracy of God's Word in every circumstance of life. In a world of changing values, conditions, and relationships, you can place your full weight on the Scriptures, confident they will hold up-and hold you up too! Furthermore, it will "make wise the simple" - the ignorant and immature. It will produce in you wisdom far beyond what's available through study and education. (3) "The precepts of the LORD are right." (v. 8 NIV). God's precepts are accurate, correct, and virtuous. And we are called to "add to [our] faith virtue" (2Pe 1 :5) or moral excellence. This cannot be accomplished through will-power, but through God's supernatural word-power. © Celebration Inc. 2015 ___________________________________ There are 3 different Hebrew words that can be translated into English as precept. They are mitsvah, piqquwd, and tsav. The word used at Ps 19:7 is piqquwd, pronounced pik-kood', from the root word paqad (paw-kad') has the meaning of: to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for. The word mitsvah is also used in this verse and is translated as commandment. The word tsav is not used here, or anywhere in Psalms. I will write about it's meaning in my next post in Thought for the day. Here is a little lesson in English for the word "precept", and how it relates to the Hebrew word piqquwd. Precept noun 1. a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct. 2. an injunction as to moral conduct; maxim. 3. a procedural directive or rule, as for the performance of some technical operation. 4. Law. ...a. a writ or warrant. ...b. a written order issued pursuant to law, as a sheriff's order for an election. Origin of precept 1300-50; Middle English < Latin praeceptum piece of advice, rule, noun use of neuter of praeceptus, past participle of praecipere to direct, foresee, literally, to take beforehand, equivalent to prae- pre- + -cep-, combining form of capere to take + -tus past participle suffix.
"For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories." (2 Tim. 4:3-4) This is nothing new. There is a Hebrew word that holds the same meaning that appears only 3 times in the Hebrew scriptures. That word is tsav, pronounced sah'-ve, almost like salve. It is from the primary root word tsavah, pronounced tsaw-vah'. It has the meaning of a command, charge, to give orders. But, tsav is used in a mocking mimicry of Isaiah's words and thus not a true divine command. Isaiah could possibly be speaking to the leaders of the WTB&TS. But, he could also be speaking to any organization claiming to represent Jehovah God. Or, should I say "LORD GOD", for that is what they call him. Isaiah is mocking the priests and prophets of his day in this address recorded in chapter 28. In verse 9 he starts in a mocking question; "To whom would He teach knowledge, And to whom would He interpret the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just taken from the breast?" 10 "For He says, "Order[tsav] on order[tsav], order[tsav] on order[tsav], Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there."" (A line represents a measuring, and a little represents a quantity of time) 11 "Indeed, He will speak to this people Through stammering lips and a foreign tongue," (In a stammering=mocking manner, and foreign tongue represents a language foreign to them. This will be the nations which will take them captive and not treat them kindly.) 12 "He who said to them, "Here is rest, give rest to the weary," And, "Here is repose," but they would not listen."" (Again, Jehovah is using Isaiah in a mocking manner to remind them that they didn't listen to Jehovah's words.) 13 "So the word of the Lord to them will be, "Order on order, order on order, Line on line, line on line, A little here, a little there," That they may go and stumble backward, be broken, snared and taken captive." (This is repeating what the false priests and prophets have said in a mocking manner of their thinking of Jehovah's directions and commandments.) When we compare Isaiah 28:9-13, and 2 Tim 4:3-4, similar words and ideas are used. Because people prefer to follow man's rules instead of Jehovah's rules, they reap afflictions, tribulation, and trouble by turning away from God's orders and rules. Jehovah will allow this to continue until it is time to bring an end to those ruining the earth. (Rev 11:18)
"The commands of the LORD are radiant" Ps 19:8 NlV THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD (2) Observe: (1) "The commands of the LORD are radiant." When people like Plato and Shakespeare speak, the effect of their words on us depends on what we bring to the process. Some of us may be informed and entertained, while others may be indifferent or bored. Their words could be described as intrinsically neutral. But this is not so with God's words: They radiate! Like heat and light, they are sources of spiritual energy. They possess a dynamic power that produces change wherever it goes. Likewise, God's Word is dynamic. It radiates transforming power that changes anyone who lives in its "environment"! (2) "The judgments given by the LORD are trustworthy." (v. 9 NET). The Hebrew word for "trustworthy" comes from "certainty, honesty, and faithfulness." With absolute confidence, you can stake your all on the reliability of God's Word. It guarantees you that God says what He means, and means what He says. You can stand secure on every syllable of it. In other words, you can "live. . .by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Mt 4:4 NKJV). (3) "By your teachings, LORD, I am warned; by obeying them, I am greatly rewarded." (Ps 19:11 CEV). God's Word is more than just a list of "do's and don'ts." It's like radar that signals you when you're in danger of straying off course and getting into trouble. Your conscience alone is inadequate. "How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. . .Don't let them control me" (vv. 12-13 NLT). By obeying God's Word, you will be "greatly rewarded"! © Celebration Inc. 2015 _______________________________ That mention of the list of "do's and don'ts." is a reminder that comes from Isaiah 28:10, 13. The ancient Israelites started thinking that way, and were taken captive as predicted by Isaiah. The part above that speaks of God's Word being like radar brought me back to an incident I experienced while in the military, stationed at a remote site in Alaska. We received a message from Point Barrow late at night during the winter of 1958. One of our planes had not checked in and never was detected over Barrow. It was a C-54 carrying many important scientists and high ranking military personnel from Ice Island. That site at Ice Island, near the North Pole, was used to collect and diagnose important scientific and intelligence information. The individuals were being returned to the "lower 48", as the continental United States were referred to, as Alaska was still a territory at that time. I happened to be sitting at one of the radar consoles and noticed a blip (signal) on the screen approximately 300 miles to the northwest of our site. I called the crew chief and told him to try the code name of the missing plane, over the radio. No response. It disappeared from the screen. The crew chief continued to call the code name. A few minutes later, we received a radio call from the plane's pilot. We instructed the pilot to turn due east (0-9-0; 90 degrees from north) because he was off course. His reply was to ask who we were and where we were located. We advised him that he was off course and we could not divulge our location. That information would allow the Russians to know our exact location and how good our equipment was. A few minutes later, the pilot informed us that the navigator had made an error in his calculations. Anyone who understands geography, Geo-referencing, and geometry knows that the mapping grid is smaller and closer together near the North and South poles. This is where the navigator miscalculated the flight path. The pilot turned as directed and within minutes we picked up the signal. We told him we would direct him to our site and give the location when he crossed the international date line; about 35 miles/56 kilometers from our site. Using this example we can see how important paying attention to God's Word is for keeping on the right course. Sometimes small differences in our thinking can eventually lead to big errors without thinking about it. We always thought we were on course, just as that navigator thought he was OK and on the correct course. "Line on line. A little here, a little there."; from Isaiah. If you have access to Google Earth, under the drop-down view menu, turn on the grid. Rotate the earth to the North Pole. You will see how close the grid becomes as you near the Pole, and how far apart the lines get as you near the equator. This gives us an illustration of why it is important to be near the center of Jehovah God's Word. We should never question where He wants us to be, and never try to interpret what we think His Word says; "by your teachings, Jehovah". Like the navigator, never assume that you are on the right path. "Do not lean on your own understanding".
"We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Co 10:5 NIV HOW TO TEST YOUR THOUGHTS You will never be any better, wiser, or happier than the thoughts that influence you. You say, "I can't help it, these thoughts just come into my mind." Yes, you can! "The weapons we fight with. . .have divine power to demolish strongholds. . .we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (vv. 4-5 NIV). A "stronghold" is a thought-pattern that controls you. It could be fear, greed, inferiority, lust, etc. It's a "stronghold" because it holds you strongly in its grip. How do you break that grip? With God's Word. For example, when fear and inadequacy tell you you're not good enough to succeed, become proactive and say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Php 4:13 NKJV). If your immediate goal is to "feel good," you'll never develop self-control. For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Heb 12:11 AMP). Discipline doesn't bring immediate joy, but it brings lasting joy later on. Note the words "trained by it." You must train your mind to go the right way; otherwise it'll take you the wrong way. God says, "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life." (Dt 30:19).God gives you choices. But He won't make your choices for you; you must do that. In order to walk in God's blessing each day, you must choose the right thoughts each day. And the longer you keep doing it, the easier it will become. You've just got to get through the "training period." © Celebration Inc. 2015 __________________________________ This is especially important in receiving God's help through the Holy Spirit to understand his word in the Bible. We must be able to test it against outside sources claiming to be a part of God's plan. Remember, Satan is not sleeping, and his followers are not sleeping. They are very active in trying to mislead you with ambiguous messages and twisting of his word. That is what he did in Eden, when speaking to Adam's wife. "Is it really so that God said YOU must not eat from every tree of the garden?" (Gen 3:1b NWT) Notice how Satan (in the guise of a serpent) twisted the commandment given to Adam. "From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die." Take note that Satan did not attempt to confuse Adam. He chose the newest creation, who became Eve. Jehovah only spoke to Adam, and Adam relayed the message to Eve. That was the establishing of the headship pattern which was carried down through the ages. We cannot take it upon our own thinking to interpret God's word. We also should not think that spurious works fit into Jehovah God's inspired word. It is sure that there will be those who will attempt to insinuate that there are other books, or missing books, that carry God's message to us. Do not believe them. They are Satan's tools; just as in Eden, when he used the serpent. Satan used the same tactic in his attempt to challenge Jehovah's Word with His Son. Jesus. Luke's account says that Jesus was "full of Holy Spirit" when he went into the wilderness. That is how he was able to combat Satan's attempts, by twisting the Word of God, to make Jesus fail. He came at the time when Jesus was at his weakest point. (Lu 4:2) At the last point of time, Satan finally quoted from God's Word, (Psalm 91:11,12) "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."" (Lu 4:9-11 NIV) What did Jesus do? Jesus answered, "It is said: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." (Deut. 6:16), (Lu 4:12 NIV) What happened next? Satan left him! We must also be careful of false brothers who wish to turn us away for the truth. (2 Co 11:3, 12-13) Do as Paul said, do not associate with them. Do not get into useless arguments with them. You will know them by their works. "I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments." (Col 2:4 NIV) "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." (2 Tim 2:23 NIV) "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless." (Tit 3:9 NIV)
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12 NKJV TODAY, SHOW THAT YOU CARE Take a deep breath, and hold it for a moment. Now exhale it. Where did it go? The air that you just exhaled will circle the globe in the next twelve months, during which time each of the molecules you exhaled will be breathed in by someone else only to be exhaled again. In this way we are all linked to each other, we are all connected by our breath to each other and to the One who first breathed life into us. Just as we all share our chemistry with other members of the human family, so we are all interdependent. We're affected positively or negatively by the actions of each other. During the self-“centered days of what used to be called the "Me Generation", it was common to hear people say, "As long as I'm not hurting anyone, it's nobody's business what I do." Unfortunately, everything we do affects other people, and there's no such thing as a completely independent act. The poet John Donne wrote, "No man is an island, entire of itself, every man is a piece of a continent, a piece of the main." With that in mind, read these two Scriptures: (1) "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; as I have loved you." (John 15:12 NKJV) (2) "Owe nothing to anyone" ”except for your obligation to love one another :"" (Romans 13:8 NLT) That means you have an obligation today to show your care for others in some practical way. © Celebration Inc. 2015