Monday, October 31, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 34 Verse 29

29 And when he giveth quietness, who can make
trouble? and when he hideth his face, who can
behold him, whether it be upon nations, or upon a
man only?

Related Scripture

Lamentation 3:26; Psalm 107:30; Proverbs 1:33; Isaiah 32:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Timothy 2:2; Romans 8:31; Micah 3:4; Psalm 18:41; Proverbs 1:28; Isaiah 1:15; Jeremiah 11:11;

Suggested additional reading for today Psalm 27

Sunday, October 30, 2011

The Sunday Sermon


Realizing God's Plan In Life (Part Three)
by Archibald T. Robertson
Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

12 Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but nowmuch more in mine absence,so make an end of your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmuring and reasonings,
15 That ye may be blameless, and pure, and the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a naughty and crooked nation, among whom ye shine as blights in the world,
16 Holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in
vain, neither have labored in vain.
17 Yea, and though I be offered up upon the sacrifice, and service of your faith, I am glad, and rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also be ye glad, and rejoice with me.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians
Chapter 2 Verses 12-18

Perfection in the Midst of Imperfection (verses 15-16)

Paul here expresses his purpose about the Philippians. It is a double purpose, their own highest development and the greatest service to others. The first is a prerequisite to the other, though they can- not be wholly separated. They are to become "blameless and harmless." They are not so in the state of nature and do not easily become so in a state of grace. Certainly none are absolutely free from blame in the eye of God and men can usually find some fault with most of us. But, at any rate, we can give men as little ground as possible to pick flaws in our character. Whimsical critics cannot be satisfied, but we do have to regard the sober judgment of God's people in ethical matters. takes "harmless" to refer to the intrinsic character as in Matthew 10:16 "harmless as doves." The word means literally "unmixed" or "unadulterated" like pure milk or pure wine or unalloyed metal.

In Romans 16:19 Paul says; "I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil," a noble motto for young and old. It is a great mistake to feel that one must know evil by experience in order to appreciate good. An unsullied character a man wants in his wife and the wife equally so in her husband. It is this sheer simplicity of character that is so delightful in children and, par excellence in the "children of God" in the full spiritual import of this term. The children of Israel, when they murmured, were not acting like children of God. Paul here quotes Deuteronomy 32:5 and applies it to the Philippians. The children of Israel were full of blemish, while the Philippians are to be "without blemish" (Ephesians5:27) like the freewill offering (Leviticus. 22:21). The Israelites had themselves become " a crooked and perverse generation." (Matthew 17:17) But the Philippians must not fall to that low level, as they will if they give way to inward discontent. They must exhibit marks of perfection "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation." It is an indocile or froward and
so "crooked" (Acts 2:40; I Peter 2:18) generation. The word was used of crooked paths (Luke 3:5) and so of crooked steps and crooked ways. The word "perverse"' means twisted or distorted and is a bolder word like the Scotch '"thrawn" with a twist in the inner nature of mankind. Surely our own generation is not without its moral twist and means many straight men when so many are crooked ("crooks"), twisted out of shape.

Paul changes his figure, but goes on with the same idea, "among whom ye are seen as lights in the world." These are the very people, the twisted and blinded by the darkness of sin, ( John 12:40; Romans 11:7; 2 Corinthians 3:14; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 2:11)who need the light. Jesus is the real light of the world (John 8:12), but the followers of Christ also pass on the torch and so bear light to others (Matthew 5 : 14). Here the Philippians are pictured as " luminaries " ^ rather than as lights in the world of darkness. As the moon and the stars "appear" in the night, so the Christians come out to give light in the darkness. In the dark night of sin the church of Philippi is a lighthouse in the breakers ( Luke 8:16), "holding forth the word of life." The gospel has the principle of life in it John's Gospel unites light and life as descriptive of the Logos (John 1:4) and Christ offers to men "the light of life " (John 8:12). Paul naturally blends the two figures here. One may rightly call it "hypercritical" to change the figure in "holding forth. It is common to personify a luminary as a light-bearer." The figure can be either holding on to the word of life or presenting the word of life. In this latter sense one naturally thinks of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, holding forth the torch of freedom. Every church is a lighthouse in a dark place. The darker the place the more the light is needed. It is sad to see so many churches deserting the downtown districts where they are so much needed. Rescue work must be carried on where sin has done its worst. It is like fighting the plague. Thank God for the men and women who do take the light into the dark corners of our cities.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 34 Verses 23-27

23 For he will not lay on man so much, that he
should enter into judgment with God.
24 He shall break the mighty without seeking,
and shall set up others in their stead.
25 Therefore shall he declare their works: he shall
turn the night, and they shall be destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the places
of the seers,
27 Because they have turned back from him, and
would not consider all his ways:

Related Scripture

Jeremiah 12:1; Job 9:3; Ecclesiastes 6:10; Job 17:6; Psalm 109:25, Psalm 44:13; Psalm 10:15; 1 Samuel 15:11; Psalm 28:5; Isaiah 5:12; Deuteronomy 9:13; Acts 7:51; Psalm 53:1,3; Psalm 14:3

Suggested additional reading for today Deuteronomy 28

Friday, October 28, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 34 verses 14-15

14 If he set his heart upon man, and gather unto
himself his spirit and his breath,
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall
return unto dust

Related Scripture

Job 12:10; Psalm 104:29-30; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Genesis 2:7;

Suggested additional reading for today - Psalm 104

Thursday, October 27, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 34 Verses 10-12, 31-33 (a)

10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of wisdom,
God forbid that wickedness should be in God, and
iniquity in the Almighty.
11 For he will render unto man according to his
work, and cause everyone to find according to his
way.
12 And certainly God will not do wickedly, neither
will the Almighty pervert judgment.
31 Surely it appertaineth unto God to say, I have
pardoned, I will not destroy.
32 But if I see not, teach thou me: if I have done
wickedly, I will do no more.
33 Will he perform the thing through thee? for
thou hast reproved it, because that thou hast chosen,
and not I: now speak what thou knowest.

Related Scripture

Genesis 18:25; Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Job 8:3; Job 36:23; Psalm 92:15; Romans 9:14; Job 34:25; Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12; Jeremiah 32:19; Ezekiel 33:20; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 20:23; Matthew 25:32-33; Romans 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:12; Acts 10:34; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 119:108; Isaiah 30:20-22; Psalm 7:3-4; Lamentation 3:26;

(a) Editor’s notation - As many of you know I use the Geneva Bible Translation. However sometimes it is a bit difficult to completely understand. So today I am including a link wherein one might find an easier translation of today’s study

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 34 Verses 2-4

2 Hear my words, ye wise men, and hearken
unto me ye that have knowledge.
3 For the ear trieth the words, as the mouth
tasteth meat.
4 Let us seek judgment among us, and let us
know among ourselves what is good.

Related Scripture

Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 13:20; Ecclesiastes 9:17; 1 Corinthians 10:15; Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 34:1; Mark 7:16; Luke 11:28; Matthew 4:4; Micah 6:8; Psalm 34:11-15; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8;

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 33 Verses 29-30

29 Lo, all these things will God work twice or
thrice with a man,
30 That he may turn back his soul from the pit,
to be illuminated in the light of the living.

Related Scripture

Proverbs 24:16-17; Psalm 34:19; Psalm 37:24; Micah 7:8-9; Isaiah 51:4; Acts 13:47; Matthew 5:14-16; 2 Peter 1:9; Psalm 56:13; Psalm 116:8-9; Psalm 23:4; Psalm 27:13; Psalm 142:5;

Monday, October 24, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 33 Verses 27-28

27 He looketh upon men, and if one say, I have
sinned, and perverted righteousness, and it did not
profit me,
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the
pit, and his life shall see the light.

Related Scripture

2 Samuel 12:13; Proverbs 28:13; Luke 15:21; 1 John 1:9; Romans 6:21; 1 Chronicles 21:8; Matthew 16:26; 1 Samuel 12:21; Isaiah 44:9; Jeremiah 2:11; Psalm 39:8; Romans 7:24; Psalm 30:3; Psalm 143:7; Psalm 28:1; Psalm 40:2;

Sums it up Nicely

Sunday, October 23, 2011

The Sunday Sermon

Realizing God's Plan In Life (Part Two)
by Archibald T. Robertson Realizing God's Plan In Life (Part Two)
by Archibald T. Robertson
Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

12 Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always
obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but now
much more in mine absence, so make an end of
your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both the
will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without amurmuring and reasonings,
15 That ye may be blameless, and pure, and
the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of
a naughty and crooked nation, among whom ye
shine as blights in the world,
16 Holding forth the word of life, that I may
rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in
vain, neither have labored in vain.
17 Yea, and though I be offered up upon the
sacrifice, and service of your faith, I am glad, and
rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also be ye glad, and rejoice
with me.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians
Chapter 2 Verses 12-18

Cheerfulness Under Orders (verse 14)

Having committed our lives to the control of God's will we are under orders. It is un-military and peevish to fret at God's commands. "Do all things without murmuring." The allusion may be to the conduct of Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 16:7; Numbers 16:5,10). The Israelites murmured bitterly against Moses and against God repeatedly and with dire results. " Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured and perished by the destroyer" (l Corinthians 10:10). These inward murmurings against God's will would easily turn to grumblings towards each other. (James 5:9; Titus 3:2l; Psalm 52:1-4;)People do not usually stop with resentment against God, but wish to blame somebody. Disunion (1 Corinthians 11:18; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10;) had already manifested itself in the church at Philippi. If God is supreme and does all things why did He allow this thing to happen? It is easier to ask than to answer that question.

The next step is to become sour towards one another. "Without disputing." (Acts 15:6-10;) This word is used for questionings, then doubting, then disputing. This is the usual course of our intellectual revolt against God. Probably the moral revolt (murmurings) comes first. The skeptical spirit follows resentment against some crossing of our will by God's will. The final result is "intellectual rebellion." Thoughts of hesitation or doubt turn to distrust. Distrust ripens into open disputes when a public stand is taken with others against God Doubt leads to dispute even over trifles. So then, as good soldiers, Christians are to carry out the orders of the Captain of their salvation. Explanations, if they come at all, come after obedience, not before.


The Sunday Sermon

Saturday, October 22, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 33 Verse 26

26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favorable
unto him, and he shall see his face with joy: for he
will render unto man his righteousness.

Related Scripture

Proverbs 3:4; Proverbs 24:12; Romans 2:6; 1 Kings 8:26; Proverbs 23:24; Job 22:26; Isaiah 58:14;

Friday, October 21, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 33 Verses 8-16

8 Doubtless thou hast spoken in mine ears, and
I have heard the voice of thy words.
9 I am clean, without sin: I am innocent and
there is none iniquity in me.
10 Lo, he hath found occasions against me, and
counted me for his enemy.
11 He hath put my feet in the stocks, and looketh
narrowly unto all my paths.
12 Behold, in this hast thou not done right: I will
answer thee, that God is greater than man.
13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he doth
not give account of all his matters.
14 For God speaketh once or twice, and one seeth
it not.
15 In dreams and visions of the night, when sleep
falleth upon men, and they sleep upon their beds,
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, even by their
corrections, which he had sealed,

Editor’s thought - In the above God, through the mouth and voice of Eilhu, verbally begins to chastise Job. I am reminded here of my late mother, who would often say “so you think you know better?”. Who among us has not had a parent that lovingly took the time to speak to us, and while sometimes the words were harsh, they were never demeaning, but were spoken to our benefit, by one who had traveled upon a road we were just beginning to tread.

Related Scripture

Isaiah 45:9; Psalm 62:11; Daniel 1:17; Acts 2:17; Psalm 94:9; Proverbs 15:31; Isaiah 51:4; Jeremiah 13:15; Job 5:17; Psalm 39: 11 Psalm 94:10; Psalm 29:17; Jeremiah 2:19; Jeremiah 10:24; Jeremiah 46:28; Mark 4:9; Revelation 13:9;

Thursday, October 20, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 33 Verses 5-6

5 If thou canst give me answer, prepare thyself
and stand before me.
6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s
stead: I am also formed of the clay. (a)

(a) Editor’s Note - Because Job had wished to dispute his cause with God, (Job 16:21), so that he might do it without fear, Elihu states , he will reason in God’s stead, whom he need not fear, because Ehihu is a man as is Job

Related scripture

Genesis 2:7; Deuteronomy 18:18; Psalm 19:14; Proverbs 8:8; Jeremiah 1:9; Jeremiah 15:19; Jeremiah 36:6;

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Founding Fathers

"The construction applied ... to those parts of the Constitution of the United States which delegate Congress a power ... ought not to be construed as themselves to give unlimited powers, nor a part to be so taken as to destroy the whole residue of that instrument."

Thomas Jefferson, Draft Kentucky Resolutions, 1798

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 32 Verses 21-22

21 I will not now accept the person of man, neither
will I give titles to man. (a)
22 For I may not give titles, lest my Maker should
take me away suddenly.

(a) Editor’s note - Elihu will neither have regard to riches, credit, nor authority, but
will speak the very truth

Related Scriptures

1 Timothy 2:7; Zechariah 8:16; Acts 10:34; Job 13:10; Proverbs 18:5; 1 Timothy 5:21;

Monday, October 17, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 32 verse 18, 20

18 For I am full of matter, and the spirit within
me compelleth me. (a)
20 Therefore will I speak, that I may take breath:
I will open my lips, and will answer.

Related Scripture

Psalm 51:10-13; Isaiah 26:9; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Matthew 10:18-19; Titus 2:15; Luke 4:32, 36; Matthew 7:29; Mark 1:22, 27; Luke 9:1; Luke 10:19; Matthew 8:5-13; John 5:27;

(a) Suggested additional reading for today - Psalm 51:1-19

Sunday, October 16, 2011


Realizing God's Plan In Life (Part One)
by Archibald T. Robertson
Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

12 Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always
obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but now
much more in mine absence, so make an end of
your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both the
will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without amurmuring and reasonings,
15 That ye may be blameless, and pure, and
the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of
a naughty and crooked nation, among whom ye
shine as blights in the world,
16 Holding forth the word of life, that I may
rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in
vain, neither have labored in vain.
17 Yea, and though I be offered up upon the
sacrifice, and service of your faith, I am glad, and
rejoice with you all.
18 For the same cause also be ye glad, and rejoice
with me.

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians
Chapter 2 Verses 12-18

PAUL is eminently practical as well as really profound. He is equally at home in the discussion of the great problems of theology and in the details of the Christian life. He is a practical mystic who does not leave his mysticism in the clouds, but applies it to the problem in hand. There is in Paul no divorce between learning and life. Speculative theology as philosophy he knows and uses as a servant to convey his highest ideas, but he never forgets the ethics of the man in the street or at the desk. He has just written a marvelous passage on the Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ Jesus, scaling the heights of Christ's equality with God and sounding the depths of the human experience of Jesus, from the throne of God to the death on the Cross and back again. But Paul has no idea of leaving this great doctrinal passage thus. "So then, my beloved," he goes on with an exhortation based on the experience of Christ. He returns to the whole lump. There are men and women in our churches who remain true when pastors come and go and when others fall away.

Working In and Working Out
(verses 12-13)

In Paul's absence he desires that the Philippians shall press right on with the work of their own salvation in so far as the development is committed to their hands. The eye should rest upon the final goal and so Paul uses a verb that puts the emphasis on the final result. Salvation is used either of the entrance into the service of God, the whole process, or the consummation at the end. The Philippians are to carry into effect and carry on to the end the work of grace already begun. Peter (2 Peter 1:10) likewise exhorted his readers to make their calling and election sure. They must not look to Paul to do their part in the work of their salvation. His absence cuts no figure in the matter of their personal responsibility. It is "your own' salvation.” It is the aim of all to win this goal at last. (Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24; 1 Timothy 6:12;) If so, each must look to his own task and do his own work. The social aspect of religion is true beyond a doubt. We are our brother's keeper and we do owe a debt of love and service to one another that we can never fully discharge (Romans 13:8). But it is also true that each of us is his own keeper and stands or falls to God. Kipling has it thus: For the race is run by one and one and never by two and two."

Work it out "with fear and trembling," Paul urges; "with a nervous and trembling anxiety to do right" ( 2 Corinthians 7:15; Psalm 2:11;). People today do not tremble much in the presence of God and most have little sense of fear. (Psalm 94:7-11; Jeremiah 2:19; Psalm 53:1;) Jonathan Edwards' great sermon on "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" finds little echo today. We live in a light-hearted and complacent age. The Puritans went too far to one extreme, but we are going too much to the other. We all need afresh a sense of solemn responsibility to Almighty God. Paul did not feel blindly complacent about himself (1 Corinthians 9:27). Religion is both life and creed. The creed without the life amounts to little. We touch a hard problem here, to be sure, but Paul feels no incompatibility between the most genuine trust and the most energetic work. The two supplement or rather complement each other, though we cannot divide them. Divine sovereignty is the fundamental fact in religion with Paul. He starts with that. But human free agency is the inevitable corollary, as Paul sees it. The two are not inconsistent in his theology. Hence Paul is not a fatalist like the Essenes and the modern Hyper-Calvinists nor is he a mere Socinian like the Sadducees.

The Pharisees held to both divine sovereignty and human free agency as most modern Christians do in varying degrees, to be sure. Paul seems to see no contradiction between them as Jesus did not. All our modern efforts to explain the harmony between these two necessary doctrines fail, but we must hold them both true nevertheless. God must be supreme to be God at all. Man must be free to be man at all. The difficulty probably lies in our imperfect processes of reasoning for two such far-reaching truths. But Paul gives the divine sovereignty as the reason or ground for the human free agency. He exhorts the Philippians to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling precisely because God works in them both the willing and the doing and for His good pleasure. ( Luke 12:32; Ephesians 1:5; 9;)We can at least feel that the working of God's will has provided the whole plan of salvation in which we are included and at which we are at work. We toil in the sphere of God's will. But far more is true than that, though we are conscious also that our own wills have free play in this sphere. God presses His will upon ours. (Matthew 11:30)We feel the impact of the divine energy upon our wills which are quickened into activity thereby.

A child can grasp this, and rest upon it. A boy of four said joyfully to his mother, "When we do anything, it's really God doing it." So then in one sense God does it all. God is the one who energizes in you both the impulse and the energy to carry out the impulse. No one knows what energy is. It is the scientific name for God. It is ceaseless as the sea, restless as the rapids of Niagara. One of the theories of matter is that all matter is in a vortex of inconceivable velocity, whirling round and round these bombarding electrons. What makes them whirl so? The particles of radium can be seen darting violently into space. We were dead in trespasses and sins till God's Spirit touched us and we leaped to life in Christ This is the mystery of grace. They that are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:7). God plants in our souls the germ of spiritual life and He does not let it die. His Spirit broods over us and energizes us to grow and work out what God has worked in us.

This is the ground of hope and joy that makes Romans 8 so different from Romans 7. We are in league with God. God's grace is not an excuse for doing nothing. It is rather the reason for doing all. In religion as in nature we are co-workers with God. We plant the seed and plan the plant and hoe it and harvest it. But God gave us the seed and the soil and sends the rain and the sunshine and supplies that wondrous thing that we call life and makes it grow to perfection. "God has more life than anybody," said a child. It is idle to split hairs over our part and God's part. We must respond to the touch of God's Spirit else we remain dead in sin. Jesus is the author and the finisher of faith (Hebrews. 12: 2), of our faith, but we must believe all the same and keep on looking to Him, the goal of faith and endeavor. There is no higher standard of rectitude than God's good pleasure by which He regulates our lives. Happy is the man who finds God's plan for his life and falls in with it. ( Job 5:17; Proverbs 3:13; Proverbs 28:14; )

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Creation

Albert Einstein is quoted as saying;

"God does not play dice with the universe."

Herein is an interesting link on the subject.

I recall a time, when science was used to discover and unravel the mysteries of God's creations. He, IMHO, allowed such work to go forth to help us understand Him better and to understand how He IS indeed creator.

Now, many use science to try to disprove the Word, yet I find that God always seems to confound them, and prove them inaccurate, or just plain, flat out wrong.

18 Let no man deceive himself: If any man among
you seem to be wise in this world, let him be a fool,
that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness
with God: for it is written, He catcheth the wise
in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth that the thoughts
of the wise be vain.
21 Therefore let no man rejoice in men: for all
things are yours.

1 Corinthians 3:18-21
BannerFans.com


Dear Brethren in Christ;

Yesterday, I shared a rather long study. As noted, I said it would provide insight into todays study. So far we have read the words of Job and his friends. Job defended his own ways sounding all the while like the self-righteous man defending his self-righteousness. Likewise his friends felt that he had somewhere sinned thereby incurring the wrath of God. Neither Job, or his friends were seeing his travails that is to say Job’s, through the eyes of God. Herein then we pick up the study, where Elihu, begins to speak his thoughts that are inspired by the Wisdom that is God.

The Book of Job
Chapter 32 Verses 1-10

1 So these three men ceased to answer Job
because he esteemed himself just.
2 Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel
the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled: his
wrath, I say, was kindled against Job, because he
justified himself more than God.
3 Also his anger was kindled against his three
friends, because they could not find an answer, and
yet condemned Job.
4 (Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken:
for 1they were more ancient in years than he.)
5 So when Elihu saw, that there was none answer
in the mouth of the three men, his wrath was
kindled.
6 Therefore Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite
answered and said, I am young in years, and ye are
ancient: therefore I doubted, and was afraid to show
you mine opinion.
7 For I said, The days shall speak, and the multitude
of years shall teach wisdom.
8 Surely there is a spirit in man, but the inspiration
of the Almighty giveth understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise, neither do the
aged always understand judgment.
10 Therefore I say, Hear me and I will show also
mine opinion.

Related Scripture

Genesis 2:7; 1 Kings 3:9-12; 1 Kings 4:29-30; Proverbs 2:5-10; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Daniel 1:17; Daniel 2:21-23; Matthew 7:7-8; Matthew 11:25; Matthew 16:17; Jeremiah 29:11-13; 1 Corinthians 2:10; James 1:5; James 3:13-17; 1 Corinthians 1:25-26, 29;

Friday, October 14, 2011

Time for ALL to Give Back Something to society.

Spot on!

First, let me preface my comment by saying I am NOT without compassion. There are those in our nation who are need of assistance through no fault of their own. They are either truly physically or mentally unable to provide for their own needs. Most have family that can and do help, but, sometimes it is not enough for people such as these, I have no problems with tax dollars aiding them in their lives. Now onward...

For the last several years all we hear are slogans such make the wealthy pay more, time for the wealthy to give back. Question number one, what have they taken? Many, whom the neomarxists consider wealthy, are just small businesses that employ maybe 10-50 people max. Again what have they taken from society? Nothing that I can see, what they have done is created jobs. Some are very well paying ones, others, not, but jobs are what have been given back to society. Additionally, it amazes me that these same leftists clamor for higher taxes on the job creators. Guess whose going to suffer, probably some of the employees that will either be reduced in hours, or let go, in order to meet the new increase in said taxes. The prime aspect of capitalism is the fact that one enter’s into business to not only make a living, but to make a profitable one, and by extension, giving other’s the opportunity to likewise earn a paycheck. Without profit, there are NO paychecks. The neomarxists fail to realize that most important point. Less profit, more for the employees is their mantra, or as they are wont to say, people before profit. Again I repeat, NO PROFITS, NO PAYCHECKS, NO PEOPLE EMPLOYED.

Moving right along, contrast this with those that have made a career out of living on public assistance. What exactly do THEY give back to society? Since we’re all being told that we need to sacrifice, we need to tighten our belts, should this not include them as well as every other person in this nation? From what I have personally witnessed in my life, it seems they have much idle time, nice bling-bling jewelery, seem to be well fed, wear better clothing than I can afford, and basically, have all of the most updated forms of technology. Have they earned it? Did they get calluses on their hands, come home sweaty and tired? Have they had to take work home and spend less time with their family, in order to meet deadlines.? Have they ever been truly stressed wondering from one day to the next about a major job going forth, a project needing completion, about how and where the money for their expenses are going to be made and if there will be enough to get it done? Have they ever had to budget? Again from what I have seen in life, the answer would be a resounding no!

So herein is my suggestion. Put them to work, doing things such as helping out in homeless shelters, cleaning public restrooms, assisting in making sure the streets are clean, working in school cafeterias. Any menial job that comes along, they should be made to do in assisting the public good. It is time for the parasitic career welfare recipients to be made to give something back to society.
BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapters 29-31

Dearest brethren in Christ;

Today’s study is a bit different, as it will guide us into tomorrow’s study. Please take the time to read all three chapters. A link has been provided that will enable all who wish to do so, to read the aforementioned chapters.
BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapters 29-31

Dearest brethren in Christ;

Today’s study is a bit different, as it will guide us into tomorrow’s study. Please take the time to read all three chapters. A link has been provided that will enable all who wish to do so, to read the aforementioned chapters.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 28 Verses 27-28

27 Then did he see it, and counted it: he prepared
it, and also considered it. (a)
28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear
of the Lord is wisdom, and to depart from evil is
understanding.

(a) Editor’s note - the word “it” refers to wisdom

Additional suggested reading - Ecclesiastes 12

Related Scripture

Micah 6:9; Psalm 51:6; Ecclesiastes1:13; Ecclesiastes 7:25; 1 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 3:10; Proverbs 1:2, 7, 9; Psalm 111:10; 2 Chronicles 19:7-9; Psalm 34:11; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 14:26-27; Proverbs 23:17; Isaiah 11:2-3; Isaiah 33:6;

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 28 Verses 20, 23;


20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is
the place of understanding.
23 But God understandeth the way thereof, and
he knoweth the place thereof.

Related Scripture

Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7. 9-10; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 24:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:19; Job 26:13; Psalm 33:3; Psalm 148:5; Hebrews 11:3; 2 Peter 3:5;

Monday, October 10, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 28 Verses 11-12

12 But where is wisdom found? and where is the
place of understanding?
13 Man knoweth not the price thereof: for it is
not found in the land of the living.

Related Scripture

Ecclesiastes 7:24; Psalm 104:24; Psalm 136:5; Proverbs 2:6; Isaiah 29:14; Isaiah 47:10; Jeremiah 9:23; Jeremiah 51:15; Matthew 13:54; Proverbs 3:13; James 1:5; James 3:15, 17; Colossians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 1:19-20; Isaiah 48:6; 1 Corinthians 4:6;

Sunday, October 9, 2011

The Sunday Sermon


The Nature of God/ The Attributes of God
A.W. Pink,
(Source - The Blue Letter Bible Blog)

To the believer, the fact of God’s omniscience is a truth fraught with much comfort. In times of perplexity he says with Job, “But He knoweth the way that I take” (Job 23:10). It may be profoundly mysterious to me, quite incomprehensible to my friends, but “He knoweth”! In times of weariness and weakness believers assure themselves, “He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14). In times of doubt and suspicion they appeal to this very attribute, saying, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23,24). In time of sad failure, when our actions have belied our hearts, when our deeds have repudiated our devotion, and the searching question comes to us, “Lovest thou Me?”, we say, as Peter did, “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee” (John 21:17).

Here is encouragement to prayer. There is no cause for fearing that the petitions of the righteous will not be heard, or that their sighs and tears shall escape the notice of God, since He knows the thoughts and intents of the heart. ( Psalm 39:12; Psalm 54:2; Nehemiah 1:6;)There is no danger of the individual saint being overlooked amidst the multitude of supplicants who daily and hourly present their various petitions, (Job 7:17; Acts 10:34;)for an infinite Mind is as capable of paying the same attention to millions as if only one individual were seeking its attention. So too the lack of appropriate language, the inability to give expression to the deepest longing of the soul, will not jeopardize our prayers, for “It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

Saturday, October 8, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 27 Verses 11-12 (a)

11 I will teach you what is in the hand of God, and
I will not conceal that which is with the Almighty.
12 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it: why then
do you thus vanish vanity?

Related Scripture

Exodus 24:12; Deuteronomy 4:10, 14; 1 Samuel 12:23; Psalm 25:4; Psalm 27:11; Psalm 34:11; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 119:12, 33, 64, 108; Jeremiah 31:34; Psalm 106:5; John 11:40; Luke 9:27; Matthew 5:3, 10; Matthew 7:21;

Friday, October 7, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 27 Verses 8-10

8 For what hope hath the hypocrite when he
hath heaped up riches, if God take away his soul?
9 Will God hear his cry, when trouble cometh
upon him?
10 Will he set his delight on the Almighty? will
he call upon God at all times?

Suggested additional reading Isaiah 1

Related Scripture

Matthew 16:24-26; Luke 12:20-21; Job 35:12-13; Psalm 36:1; Psalm 73:3; Proverbs 2:10-15; Proverbs 4:19; Proverbs 28:9; Isaiah 1:15; Isaiah 59:1-3; Jeremiah 14:12; Ezekiel 8:12; Micah 3:4; John 9:31; James 4:1-4; Psalm 37:4; Isaiah 58:14; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 40:8; Psalm 119:16, 24, 35, 47; Jeremiah 9:24; Romans 7:22;

Thursday, October 6, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 27 Verses 2-3

3 Yet so long as my breath is in me, and the Spirit
of God in my nostrils,
4 My lips surely shall speak no wickedness, and
my tongue shall utter no deceit.

Related Scripture

Genesis 2:7; Job 34:14-15; Ezekiel 37:5; Titus 3:2; Proverbs 8:7; Psalm 34:13; 1 Peter 2:1; 1 Peter 3:10;

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

BannerFans.com



The Book of Job
Chapter 26 Verse 12

12 The sea is calm by his power, and by his understanding
he smiteth the pride thereof.


Related Scripture

Exodus14:21; Isaiah 51:15; Jeremiah 31:35; Luke 8:23-25; Mark 4:37-41;

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 25 Verse 4

4 And how may a man be justified with God?
or how can he be clean that is born of woman?

Related Scripture

Nahum 1:6; Jeremiah 10:10; Malachi 3:2; Ecclesiastes 9:1; Job 9:2;

Monday, October 3, 2011

BannerFans.com



The Book of Job
Chapter 23 Verses 10-12

10 But he knoweth my way, and trieth me, and I
shall come forth like gold.
11 My foot hath followed his steps: his way have
I kept, and have not declined:
12 Neither have I departed from the commandment
of his lips, and I have esteemed the words of
his mouth more than mine appointed food.

Additional suggested reading for today Psalm 19

Related Scripture

Psalm 1:6; Psalm 139:1-4, 23; Psalm 37:18; Psalm 17:3, 5; Psalm 66:10; James 1:12; Jeremiah 29:13; Ezekiel 18:9; Ezekiel 20:19; Deuteronomy 4:6; Deuteronomy 6:1; 1 Kings 8:61; Psalm 44:17-18; Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; Song of Solomon 4:11; Psalm 119:97-103;

Sunday, October 2, 2011

The Sunday Sermon



America, Don't Be Ashamed of Jesus! (Part 2)

by Walter A. Maier

“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Grecian.”

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans Chapter 1 Verse 16

“But the others of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the Gospel.”

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians Chapter 1 Verse 17

WE HAVE NO REASON TO BE ASHAMED OF HIS GOSPEL

Now, with all the pardon and perfect peace Jesus can speak into sorrowing, aching hearts; with all the light His Gospel offers for life's darkest hours, should we not expect that every person on earth would accept His message as the highest good and the greatest blessing? Did you ever hear of anyone being ashamed of the friend who rescued him from death? Have you ever met aBlack man whose heart is not moved by gratitude toward Abraham Lincoln, a true American who does not honor Washington's heroic work? Have you ever read of a nation which does not pay tribute to those who fought and fell in its defense? Why, then, with Christ offering deliverance from death's grip, sin's slavery, hell's tyranny, do millions blasphemously reject Him? (Psalm 95:10; Jeremiah 4:22;) How does it happen that some theological seminaries in the United States have not one man on their faculties who believes in the inerrancy of the Scriptures or in Jesus' atoning death and life-giving resurrection? ( Isaiah 60:12; Proverbs 29:18; Hosea 4:6;)

How can we account for the fact that Christ is pushed aside in many modern churches which ban all hymns concerning the cross and the blood? Why do we sometimes behold, even in Gospel churches, lukewarmness and indifference toward the Savior? Why does a nation as wealthy as ours rob God? If our people gave only 10 per cent of their income for religious purposes, the churches would have $4,000,000,000 annually for the extension of the Kingdom. Actually they receive only a fraction of that amount. (Genesis 14:17-20; 2 Chronicles 31:5; Luke 20:22-25;) Why is it that a country founded by Christian pioneers, settled by Christian colonists, developed by Christian frontiersmen, richly endowed as no other nation in any other part of the world or in any previous age, now has more unbelievers, more public enemies of Jesus, than ever before? ( Psalm 69:4; John 7:7; John 15:18;)

Ask the large group of those who, despite the appeals of this "Go to Church Sunday," have kept their distance from every place of worship, why they are ashamed of the Gospel, and they will answer, "Christianity has failed because it has not prevented this World War." Nothing could be more unfair than to cry out, "The churches have been tried and failed in this crisis." Rather should we admit that our age suffers its sorrows because it has failed to try Christianity. (a) The postman recently brought a letter with one-cent postage due to a Duxbury, Massachusetts man, who refused to accept it and pay the penny. Back it went to the Dead Letter Office, where it was found to contain $450. Does any one charge the United States postal system with failure when the fault lay entirely with the man who would not accept the letter? Why, then, blame Jesus for the war when multitudes within our boundaries spurn the free offer of His help and mention His name only in foul-mouthed profanity? Recently we read that the chaplain of the United States Senate died because a druggist had mistakenly compounded a prescription with fifteen times as much narcotic as the doctor had ordered. Does any sound-minded person hold the doctor responsible for that pharmacist's mistake? (b)

Is it fair, then, to charge the Gospel with failure in this world of war, when many, ordained to preach the whole Bible, offer an erroneous substitute, a destructive counterfeit? If Jesus' Gospel were universally accepted and His teachings followed, there would have been no Second World War. But because men hate Christ and love sin; because selfishness, carnal ambition, avarice, lust, love of power, and worship of money make them trample the rights of their fellow men, the world has been turned into bloody shambles. ( Job 21:14-15; Malachi 3:14-15;) Jesus pleads, "Love one another!" (John 14:15, 23; Mark 12:29-34; Matthew 6:24;) but willful unbelievers insist, "Hate one another!" Jesus gave the Golden Rule, but dictators lay down the rule of steel and blood and iron.

Ask philosophical minds why they are ashamed of Christ, and they will demand in counter-question: "How do you expect us to accept a religion in which a God permits war's terrors and agony? How can we harmonize the existence of pain and evil with the Christian faith?" Some of you likewise refuse to acclaim Jesus your Redeemer because you think that the Lord has dealt too cruelly with you. A dear one has been snatched from your side, and in stubborn resentment you demand: "How can there be a God if I must suffer this way? How can there be a Savior if I am plunged into this agony?" (c) (Acts 5:38; Psalm 22:6-8;)You have tried to settle these issues apart from the Word. If only you would realize that Jesus has the key (John 14:6;) and explanation of human suffering! Those who come to Him in faith know that each affliction is laid upon them, as the Lord's redeemed, by divine mercy instead of His anger, that trials which seem beyond analysis are the Almighty's way of purifying faith and strengthening trust. ( Malachi 3:3; Titus 2:14;)

Again, ask proud enemies of our faith why they are hostile to the Gospel, and they will sneer: "Well, hasn't Christianity been rejected by outstanding scientists? Isn't it true that all great thinkers have discarded the Bible?" ( 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 3:19;) To both questions we answer with an emphatic "No!" Not only have leaders in every branch of learning been humble followers of the Lord Jesus, but today, during the heyday of unbelief and atheism, recognized teachers and intellectual leaders have come out strongly for Christ. Listen to these testimonies offered by men on the faculties of great American universities: (d) From the University of Wisconsin: "In the Bible we find , . . our Savior, and eternal life through faith in Him"! From Ohio State University: "The Bible has shown me my sin with its terrifying consequences; but it has also brought me the direct comfort of the Savior who died for me on Calvary"! From Michigan State College: "The Bible reveals Christ and His vicarious atonement for the sins of mankind"! From Johns Hopkins University: "I believe that . . . the Son of God Himself came down to earth and by the shedding of His blood on the cross paid the infinite penalty of the guilt of the whole world"! From Temple University: "I have praised the Lord that as a physician He has given me the privilege of testifying to Christs saving grace"! From the University of Illinois: "ln Jesus Christ I have found my Savior and Lord, my Helper along the way. Without Him life would be empty and worthless, the load of sin ... still separating me from God"!

If these and hundreds of other present-day scientists, far from being ashamed of Christ, acclaim Him the Savior, should you refuse to accept Him? Many who attack the Bible have never reverently studied His Word, and many who assail His Word are led by blind and willful ignorance. ( Luke 6:39;) Popular magazines this month bring the confession of a physician under the title "I Was an Atheist Until" -until that doctor took time to examine the human body and study the miracles which led him to conclude that there must be a divine Creator. If you who place question marks behind the glorious truth of the Savior's atonement would only stop locking the Holy Spirit out of your heart and take time to consider the "many infallible proofs" of His forgiving, sustaining love, you, too, could write a glorious chapter in your life's story entitled, "1 Was an Atheist-Until" -until I studied God's Word and the evidences of Christianity." Do not be troubled by the fact that men with headline names often attempt to discredit our Lord! I remind you that before Pearl Harbor some of the enemies of the faith publicly urged our people under no circumstances to take arms in behalf of this nation. Of course, they have changed their advice now; but the point I wish to emphasize is this: if these false prophets in academic garb could be so utterly mistaken in matters of human life, dare you follow them in their poisonous, destructive teachings concerning the heavenly life? Rather and I am pleading particularly with you college men and women join those scientific leaders who with inner joy and spiritual conviction exulted, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ!"

As men reject Jesus, they advance one excuse after the other. Many of their claims are dishonest; all of them are mistaken and destructive. Behind every refusal to accept the Gospel lies the love of sin, the unwillingness to serve God, the stubborn pride that will not repent. Christ is spurned and the appeal of His cross set aside because men love evil; because they want to serve the flesh; ( Proverbs 16:30; Micah 2:1;) because the Savior is too lowly and humble, the Bible too stern and unbending in its denunciation of all wrong. Jesus says, lf any man will come after Me, let him . . . take up his cross"; He insists, The "first shall be last"; He warns, "Ye must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God;" and since men prefer greatness, power, glamour, money, applause, the glorious Gospel of grace is contemptuously cast away. The consequence of that rejection, Jesus declares, is this: "Whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven" "He that believeth not shall be damned." ( Matthew 10:13;)

Thus once more I have laid before you this inescapable issue: Are you ashamed of Christ, or do you glory in His Gospel? I know that across the United States and Canada millions of you cling to the Savior as your only Salvation. God grant you continued loyalty and the determination to remain faithful always and everywhere! The Lord give you the courage to speak up in clarion voices, rebuking the enemies of the Cross, but testifying valiantly to the hope that is in you!

Continue to say I AM NOT ASHAMED!


(a) Editor’s thought - So much of the worlds problems are blamed on religion, much of which is aimed at Christianity. Perhaps those that point the fingers should be looking at the flawed nature of men, than trying to find flaws in their creator.

(b) Editor’s note - Sadly in this nation at this point in time yes people would extend the mistake to the doctor, whom they’ll reason should not have written said prescription.

(c) Suggested additional reading - Job 6 and Job 7

(d) Editor’s thought - Sadly, I feel that the pendulum as swung back the other way again, and we now seeing more denial by academics, philosophers, and the intelligensia as a whole than at anytime in history.


Saturday, October 1, 2011

BannerFans.com


The Book of Job
Chapter 22 Verses 26-29

26 And thou shalt then delight in the Almighty,
and lift up thy face unto God.
27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he
shall hear thee, and thou shalt render thy vows.
28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and he shall
establish it unto thee, and the light shall shine upon
thy ways.
29 When others are cast down, then shalt thou
say, I am lifted up: and God shall save the humble
person.

Related Scripture

Lamentations 3:36-40
Psalm 37:4-5;
Isaiah 58:9-11, 14;
Deuteronomy 30:16;
Psalm 119:16, 47;
Psalm 40:8;
John 14:13-14;
John 15:7, 16;
John 16:23-26;
Matthew 18:19;
Matthew 23:12;
James 4:6;
1 Peter 5:5;
Psalm 23:5;
Psalm 27:6;
Psalm 37:34;
Proverbs 3:34;