Proverbs 1: 1-12, 3: 21-24
"hear the instruction of your father" (Proverbs 1:8)
To know wisdom and instruction
To perceive the words of understanding
To receive instruction of wisdom
To give careful thought
You must hear
to increase learning, to know
You must listen
to understand
You must be obedient
Verse 8 in Proverbs 1 says, "My son, hear the instruction of your father,..." but if you're earthly father is absent, then listen to another who has your best interest at heart.
One who is wise
who knows the wisdom of God
Who follows in His footsteps
Who trusts in Him
Who puts His hope and faith in Him
Do not give in
Do not become enticed by others who look for ways you might fall into a pit and not climb out.
Do not falter at the gate thinking it is better on the other side.
Life here and now and life to come is what you make of it, and with God at the center of your life, He will enable you to be all you are meant to be. But without Him, there is only you, and that is not enough.
"Keep sound wisdom and discretion; ... Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet." (Proverbs 3: 21, 23-24)
Lord, give us ears to hear advice
from loved ones wise and humble,
So when life's challenges appear
We will not have to stumble.
-- David Sper, Our Daily Bread
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Jesus
Jesus
Is
"And suddenly a voice (God) came from heaven, saying 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' " (Matthew 3:17)
"He who believes in Me (Jesus) believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me." (John 12: 44-45)
"who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person" (Hebrews 1:3)
"and suddenly, they (the demons) cried out, saying, 'What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" (Matthew 8:29)
God the Son
God the Father
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved."
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 10:13)
My Lord
My Savior
Jesus Is.
Is He yours?
Is
"And suddenly a voice (God) came from heaven, saying 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' " (Matthew 3:17)
"He who believes in Me (Jesus) believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me." (John 12: 44-45)
"who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person" (Hebrews 1:3)
"and suddenly, they (the demons) cried out, saying, 'What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" (Matthew 8:29)
God the Son
God the Father
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved."
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 10:13)
My Lord
My Savior
Jesus Is.
Is He yours?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Statue of Liberty
In New York Harbor stands a lady
With a torch raised to the sky;
And all who see her know she stands
for Liberty for you and me.
I'm so proud to be an American,
To be named with the brave and free.
I will honor the flag and our trust in God,
And the Statue of Liberty.
On lonely Golgotha stood a cross,
With my Lord raised to the sky;
And all who kneel there live forever,
As all the saved can testify.
I'm so glad to be called a Christian
To be named with the ransomed and whole.
As the Statute liberates the citizen,
So the cross liberates the soul.
Oh, the Cross is my Statue of Liberty,
It was there that my soul was set free.
Unashamed I'll proclaim that a rugged cross
Is my Statue of Liberty.
-- Anonymous
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A Summer Picnic
It was
the
first
full day
of
summer
and
95
degrees
Fahrenheit
in
the
shade.
Early evening
a
picnic
for
two
at
lake's edge
near
Palo
where
fishers
of
fish
and
swimmers
alike
stoked
the
waters.
Slipping
into
another world
It seems...
underneath
a tree
whose
leaves
provide
quick relief
from
intense
heat.
Watching
the
bright sun
as it shines
upon the water
or
the
occasional
page turn
of a
novel
just beginning.
The heat
from
two
strikes
of a
match
upon
dry leaves, paper and twigs
blazes.
Time taken
for a
game
of
Scrabble
Even
without
a
dictionary
one
can
"cheat."
C'est la vie
The
return home
such a short jaunt
by automobile
past fields upon fields
25 minutes gone
and
we're back
in the
city.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
What would you do if you didn't have children...
What would you do if you didn’t have children?
What would you do if there were no kids?
Well, let me tell you
What we do since there are no children
What we do since there are no kids.
We dance in the kitchen to the tune of our own voice
We play train throughout the house – he’s the engine, I’m the caboose
We have dinner for two in the dining room
Or in front of the TV, where we watch old game shows
We have picnics in our backyard
We play croquet
And ride our bicycles
We put together puzzles
And play Scrabble and other word games
We take day trips and weekend trips and longer trips too
To northeast Missouri – LaGrange, Hannibal
To Clear Lake
And elsewhere as money comes and goes
We spend each anniversary at a Bed & Breakfast,
Sometimes fancy, sometimes plain
We plan surprises for each other
We talk back at our talking bird who only talks when we turn him on and that’s assuming the battery is fully charged
We enjoy our bunnies, one at a time
We especially enjoy BeeJay, who has just turned nine
We enjoy our friends
We host a Christmas Open House
We enjoy baking and cooking and eating and decorating
We like to shop for bargains for each other
We enjoy Bible study together and apart
We encourage each other
We tell each other, “You know what? What? I love you” Or
“Some bunny’s mommy loves some bunny’s papa daddy.”
We are silly.
We stand up for each other. We defend one another.
We believe in one another.
We have active imaginations.
We have children who are filled with stuffing, but have definite personalities.
We do much that you who have children do.
Alas, there is much we do not do. We miss much.
But we have each other, we love each other, we have the Lord and we love the Lord, and we are ever grateful for all He has given us.
Temptation is all around us
Thought for the Day: "For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world." (1 John 2: 16)
In Mark 1: 9-13 it is recorded that Jesus was baptized with water by John in the Jordan River. When he arose from the water, Jesus saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descend upon Him like a dove. God the Father says, 'You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' The Spirit then leads Jesus to the wilderness, where He fasted 40 days and 40 nights before being tempted by Satan.
"For in that He himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2: 18)
"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4: 15)
Temptation comes from Satan, our battles within. Mine comes from eating, not necessarily overeating, but eating those things which are not necessarily good for my body. God Himself does not tempt us. God the Father nor God the Son has anything to prove to Satan nor to us. Satan is out to prove Jesus is not sinless, not worthy. God's purpose for allowing Satan to tempt His son was to prove otherwise, and it was so.
"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed (lured). Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death (sorrow, mourning, great loss)." (James 1: 13-15)
Temptation comes in many forms -- it is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, all that is in and of the world. Lust - what is lust? It is an obsessive craving, a desire for what is forbidden, that which is contrary to God's will. Such as unrestrained sexual desires for men and women in heterosexual and homosexual relationships, masturbation, fornication, money, power, power, pleasure, alcoholism, drug addictions, pornography, possessions, eating disorders, abusive relationships. In connection with this, I came across an article on Lifeway about the temptations young people may face as they step from high school to college and beyond. Read Off to College: 10 Strategies for Beating Temptations.
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10: 13)
God tests us to bring us in closer fellowship with Him, but He never tempts us. When God tests us it is to produce patience, endurance.
"And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." (Matthew 6: 13)
"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
(Matthew 26: 41)
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4: 16)
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please, I pray, keep the devil from gaining a foothold into my mind and causing me to give in to forbidden desires. Please help me be obedient to Your will, not mine. In your name I pray. Amen.
In Mark 1: 9-13 it is recorded that Jesus was baptized with water by John in the Jordan River. When he arose from the water, Jesus saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descend upon Him like a dove. God the Father says, 'You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' The Spirit then leads Jesus to the wilderness, where He fasted 40 days and 40 nights before being tempted by Satan.
"For in that He himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." (Hebrews 2: 18)
"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4: 15)
Temptation comes from Satan, our battles within. Mine comes from eating, not necessarily overeating, but eating those things which are not necessarily good for my body. God Himself does not tempt us. God the Father nor God the Son has anything to prove to Satan nor to us. Satan is out to prove Jesus is not sinless, not worthy. God's purpose for allowing Satan to tempt His son was to prove otherwise, and it was so.
"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed (lured). Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death (sorrow, mourning, great loss)." (James 1: 13-15)
Temptation comes in many forms -- it is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, all that is in and of the world. Lust - what is lust? It is an obsessive craving, a desire for what is forbidden, that which is contrary to God's will. Such as unrestrained sexual desires for men and women in heterosexual and homosexual relationships, masturbation, fornication, money, power, power, pleasure, alcoholism, drug addictions, pornography, possessions, eating disorders, abusive relationships. In connection with this, I came across an article on Lifeway about the temptations young people may face as they step from high school to college and beyond. Read Off to College: 10 Strategies for Beating Temptations.
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10: 13)
God tests us to bring us in closer fellowship with Him, but He never tempts us. When God tests us it is to produce patience, endurance.
"And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." (Matthew 6: 13)
"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
(Matthew 26: 41)
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4: 16)
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please, I pray, keep the devil from gaining a foothold into my mind and causing me to give in to forbidden desires. Please help me be obedient to Your will, not mine. In your name I pray. Amen.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Jesus is ... beyond the darkness
A closed window
A darkened mind
What is seen
IF
through your eyes
you can not see
How does one
share the beauty
of a flower
or a sunset?
Blindness.
We sit in darkness
complacent
to all around us.
We are led
by others who do not
know the way
To go
yet we follow
and
are lost.
The Holy One
came.
He was and is and is to come
The Light
The Shining Son
Our Savior.
Yet
We remain
enclosed in
wretchedness.
We are
miserable
We are
poor
We are
naked
We are
blind.
We are lost.
The darkness
overwhelms us
We do not
know the way
of escape.
We are
caught,
trapped
in a cage
No amount
of
clawing
or
picking at locks
brings release
Oh,
if only
we say.
If only?
But there is ....
JESUS.
Cathy Orrick Luders
6.18.2009
Thoughts for the Day: 6.18.2009
"They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." (Matthew 15: 14a)
"Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' -- and do not know that you are wretched, poor, blind, and naked --" (Revelations 3: 17)
"He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, Lest they should see with their eyes and understand with their hearts, Lest they should turn, so that I should heal them." (John 12: 40)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3: 16-17)
Prayer: Dear Lord, Help me I pray see past the darkness and evil that lurks within. Show me the way of escape. Enable me to live for you, with you, in you. In your name I pray. Amen.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
An expression of gratitude
Genesis 28: 10-22
Thought for the Day: "And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to you." (Genesis 28: 22)
Several months ago I started a word study on stones. Today's devotional reading led me to the act of giving - the tithe. I was amazed the the two came together in this verse, which shows Jacob's commitment to God, acknowledging His supremacy to all he has now and will have in the future. The tithe is an expression of extreme gratitude.
I was thinking the other day how easy it is for money that comes into our hands to sift through so quickly. We strive to be obedient to our holy Father, in the giving of our tithes, and we are doing fine we think, when all of a sudden wham! an obstacle comes along and our faith gets derailed. We think we have it all figured out when we're really a long ways from doing so.
Our tithe - the top tenth of our best goes to the Lord to express our extreme gratitude for all He has done and continues to do for us. The tithe is not about money - not how much or how little we give. It is not about duty. God doesn't care about any of that. God looks at our heart, not our handout, He looks at us, the person, the giver, not the gift.
Think about what Jesus says in Matthew 23: 23, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith."
Jesus died to give us life. We are so richly blessed. Are we grateful? What do we do, what do we give to show our gratitude? Remember, its our heart God cares about, our motives.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please forgive me for falling off track and allowing fear to come between us. I know fear does not come from you, but from Satan. It is not your will for me to become derailed and lose sight of your promises, your truths. Help me Lord to get back on track, to not become ungrateful, unfruitful, stagnant, dead. In your precious name I pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day: "And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to you." (Genesis 28: 22)
Several months ago I started a word study on stones. Today's devotional reading led me to the act of giving - the tithe. I was amazed the the two came together in this verse, which shows Jacob's commitment to God, acknowledging His supremacy to all he has now and will have in the future. The tithe is an expression of extreme gratitude.
I was thinking the other day how easy it is for money that comes into our hands to sift through so quickly. We strive to be obedient to our holy Father, in the giving of our tithes, and we are doing fine we think, when all of a sudden wham! an obstacle comes along and our faith gets derailed. We think we have it all figured out when we're really a long ways from doing so.
Our tithe - the top tenth of our best goes to the Lord to express our extreme gratitude for all He has done and continues to do for us. The tithe is not about money - not how much or how little we give. It is not about duty. God doesn't care about any of that. God looks at our heart, not our handout, He looks at us, the person, the giver, not the gift.
Think about what Jesus says in Matthew 23: 23, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith."
Jesus died to give us life. We are so richly blessed. Are we grateful? What do we do, what do we give to show our gratitude? Remember, its our heart God cares about, our motives.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please forgive me for falling off track and allowing fear to come between us. I know fear does not come from you, but from Satan. It is not your will for me to become derailed and lose sight of your promises, your truths. Help me Lord to get back on track, to not become ungrateful, unfruitful, stagnant, dead. In your precious name I pray. Amen.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Set your mind on things above
Colossians 3: 1-10
Thought for the Day: "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3: 1-2)
I was 31 years old when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. My journey as a born-again believer began and continues to this day. Believing in and accepting Jesus is the easy part. Being obedient to Him, following His commandments is a lifelong commitment that is not struggle-free.
Set your minds on things above -- love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. (Galatians 5: 22-23) Not on things on the earth -- uncleanness, evil desires, idolatry, anger, filthy language, malice, lying, hatred, jealousies, selfish ambition, envy. (for more, see Colossians 3: 5 and 8 and Galatians 5: 19-21)
To shed yourself of worldly living, immerse yourself in Bible study. The book of Mark is a good place to start. Joining a Bible-believing church is recommended. If you don't know which one would be best, but you do know someone who regularly attends, ask if you can go with them. Join a Sunday school class. Ask questions. Be open to learning and listening as the Holy Spirit speaks to you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Keep me mindful of you and the Truth you alone bear. Help me to rid myself of all that is evil - in myself and in the world around me, and live only for you. In your name I pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day: "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3: 1-2)
I was 31 years old when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. My journey as a born-again believer began and continues to this day. Believing in and accepting Jesus is the easy part. Being obedient to Him, following His commandments is a lifelong commitment that is not struggle-free.
Set your minds on things above -- love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. (Galatians 5: 22-23) Not on things on the earth -- uncleanness, evil desires, idolatry, anger, filthy language, malice, lying, hatred, jealousies, selfish ambition, envy. (for more, see Colossians 3: 5 and 8 and Galatians 5: 19-21)
To shed yourself of worldly living, immerse yourself in Bible study. The book of Mark is a good place to start. Joining a Bible-believing church is recommended. If you don't know which one would be best, but you do know someone who regularly attends, ask if you can go with them. Join a Sunday school class. Ask questions. Be open to learning and listening as the Holy Spirit speaks to you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Keep me mindful of you and the Truth you alone bear. Help me to rid myself of all that is evil - in myself and in the world around me, and live only for you. In your name I pray. Amen.
A cemetery walk
This past week I attended a Christian Writers Workshop in Cedar Falls. It was very much a learning experience and a time of meditation and reflection as well. One day a writing assignment took us to a nearby cemetery. Here are my reflections.
I walk.
The path uneven
Pine cones
here and there
under trees bowed inward
like a protective covering
of what lies
deep . . .
of souls gone on
of bodies
remaining
beneath solid stone.
I wonder.
Why does he live so far away?
Time.
Passing through.
A distant buzzing ...
Perhaps a clap of thunder
Lives lived
long or short
Minute details are not spared
He is near
She is near
As close as our heart beats
Mementos
and memories
linger
from a time
filled with richness
and eager anticipation
of sharing life
lovingly with another.
Day in
Day out
I think he is far away
She is too far to reach
But no.
The memories bring them back.
Always present
Always here
Always the sun shines brightly
when I remember.
I don't live here.
I come here to visit.
But,
You too are not here.
A noble pebble on the path
a resting place.
When Jesus returns,
we'll go out together.
"Though time forgets, love still remembers."
I walk.
The path uneven
Pine cones
here and there
under trees bowed inward
like a protective covering
of what lies
deep . . .
of souls gone on
of bodies
remaining
beneath solid stone.
I wonder.
Why does he live so far away?
Time.
Passing through.
A distant buzzing ...
Perhaps a clap of thunder
Lives lived
long or short
Minute details are not spared
He is near
She is near
As close as our heart beats
Mementos
and memories
linger
from a time
filled with richness
and eager anticipation
of sharing life
lovingly with another.
Day in
Day out
I think he is far away
She is too far to reach
But no.
The memories bring them back.
Always present
Always here
Always the sun shines brightly
when I remember.
I don't live here.
I come here to visit.
But,
You too are not here.
A noble pebble on the path
a resting place.
When Jesus returns,
we'll go out together.
"Though time forgets, love still remembers."
Cathy Orrick Luders
6.10.2009
6.10.2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Jesus is The Way
John 14: 3 - 6
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way? Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Thought for the Day: "Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?' " (John 14: 5, NKJ)
The disciples spent three years with Jesus, learning from Him. Jesus was preparing them for what was to come, yet they struggled with the whys and wherefores of His very presence among them. They were His followers, but they weren't exactly sure for what reason.
None of them had any inkling of understanding until Jesus' death on the cross, His burial and resurrection after three days and, after 40 days, His ascension into Heaven. The "aha" moment came to them at Pentecost at which time Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live within their hearts. Then they knew He was the way ... He had come to give them life, eternal life.
It is the same for us. Although we don’t have the privilege of Jesus walking with us in the flesh, we do have Him in the Spirit and we have His word, the whole Bible. When we believe He is the son of God, that He died for the sins of you and me, and accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior, the most glorious journey has begun. It is a journey to heaven … there is only one way to get there and many ways to live, but with Jesus at the helm, in charge, and us being lovingly obedient to His will, we can overcome the struggles along the way.
He is The Way. He is The Truth. He is The Life.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see the need for You, abide in Your love and show me how to live to the utmost. In your name I pray. Amen.
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way? Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Thought for the Day: "Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?' " (John 14: 5, NKJ)
The disciples spent three years with Jesus, learning from Him. Jesus was preparing them for what was to come, yet they struggled with the whys and wherefores of His very presence among them. They were His followers, but they weren't exactly sure for what reason.
None of them had any inkling of understanding until Jesus' death on the cross, His burial and resurrection after three days and, after 40 days, His ascension into Heaven. The "aha" moment came to them at Pentecost at which time Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live within their hearts. Then they knew He was the way ... He had come to give them life, eternal life.
It is the same for us. Although we don’t have the privilege of Jesus walking with us in the flesh, we do have Him in the Spirit and we have His word, the whole Bible. When we believe He is the son of God, that He died for the sins of you and me, and accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior, the most glorious journey has begun. It is a journey to heaven … there is only one way to get there and many ways to live, but with Jesus at the helm, in charge, and us being lovingly obedient to His will, we can overcome the struggles along the way.
He is The Way. He is The Truth. He is The Life.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see the need for You, abide in Your love and show me how to live to the utmost. In your name I pray. Amen.
Monday, June 8, 2009
The Sound of Music
A friend sent me a link to the following 4-minute presentation with this introduction:
This video was made in the Antwerp, Belgium Central Train Station on March 23, 2009, with no warning to the passengers passing through the station. At 8 a.m. a recording of Julie Andrews singing "Do, Re, Mi" begins to play on the public address system. As the bemused passengers watch in amazement, some 200 dancers begin to appear from the crowd and station entrances. They created this amazing stunt with just two rehearsals.
Enjoy!
This video was made in the Antwerp, Belgium Central Train Station on March 23, 2009, with no warning to the passengers passing through the station. At 8 a.m. a recording of Julie Andrews singing "Do, Re, Mi" begins to play on the public address system. As the bemused passengers watch in amazement, some 200 dancers begin to appear from the crowd and station entrances. They created this amazing stunt with just two rehearsals.
Enjoy!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Satan's plan erodes, entraps
God does not bring the fear that erodes our minds, entraps us. That is Satan's dominion. With God there is trust.
Why would you even consider trusting Satan -- He is not about bringing joy to your life or to those around you. His plan for you is destruction. His ideal is to play upon your desires, make promises he will not keep, anything to gain control of you so you will do his bidding. His bidding is all that is evil -- "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5: 19)
Satan pretends he is looking out for your welfare, but he is not. He looks out only for himself. His goal is to conquer you, take total control of your soul, steer you along an ever widening road that leads every which way yet nowhere.
Our temptations are not a result of God's desire for us, but rather our own desires getting the best of us. Take for example my singular desire for chocolate, be it peanut or plain M & Ms, Reese's peanut butter, Snicker bars, Hershey bars and kisses or even the dark chocolate I'll succumb to on occasion -- it becomes an overwhelming obsession. I must have a quarter or two or more to get candy from the vending machine at work. I need it.
God says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 -- "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
Well, this temptation is certainly common. But if God thinks I won't be tempted beyond what I'm able His thinking is far superior to mine. I have yet to overcome the temptation, especially at work, especially under stress. And, if there is a way of escape, that too eludes me. Everywhere there is something to put in my mouth.
Somehow, I must come to a realization that my desire to please God is above and beyond my desire to please myself.
There are other temptations we are faced with daily that involve our speech, our actions.
God tells us to "be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." (James 1:19)
Satan says to speak our mind.
We are to be careful what we say, careful in how we say what we say. We are to "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1: 21-22)
God's commandments are just as relevant today as in Old Testament days.
The Do Not's are nothing to be trifled with. They include
Do Not bow down to other gods
Do Not murder
Do Not commit adultery
Do Not lie
Do Not be impatient
Do Not grumble against another person
Do Not lust after another person or possession
Do Not show partiality
Do Not consider yourself better than aother
Do Not boast
Do Not be envious
Do Not speak evil of another
Do Not judge falsely
"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well. But if you show partiality, you commit sin." (James 2: 8-9)
"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." (James 3: 6)
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there." (James 3: 13-16)
"... Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4: 4, 7-8, 10)
Why would you even consider trusting Satan -- He is not about bringing joy to your life or to those around you. His plan for you is destruction. His ideal is to play upon your desires, make promises he will not keep, anything to gain control of you so you will do his bidding. His bidding is all that is evil -- "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5: 19)
Satan pretends he is looking out for your welfare, but he is not. He looks out only for himself. His goal is to conquer you, take total control of your soul, steer you along an ever widening road that leads every which way yet nowhere.
Our temptations are not a result of God's desire for us, but rather our own desires getting the best of us. Take for example my singular desire for chocolate, be it peanut or plain M & Ms, Reese's peanut butter, Snicker bars, Hershey bars and kisses or even the dark chocolate I'll succumb to on occasion -- it becomes an overwhelming obsession. I must have a quarter or two or more to get candy from the vending machine at work. I need it.
God says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 -- "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
Well, this temptation is certainly common. But if God thinks I won't be tempted beyond what I'm able His thinking is far superior to mine. I have yet to overcome the temptation, especially at work, especially under stress. And, if there is a way of escape, that too eludes me. Everywhere there is something to put in my mouth.
Somehow, I must come to a realization that my desire to please God is above and beyond my desire to please myself.
There are other temptations we are faced with daily that involve our speech, our actions.
God tells us to "be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." (James 1:19)
Satan says to speak our mind.
We are to be careful what we say, careful in how we say what we say. We are to "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1: 21-22)
God's commandments are just as relevant today as in Old Testament days.
The Do Not's are nothing to be trifled with. They include
Do Not bow down to other gods
Do Not murder
Do Not commit adultery
Do Not lie
Do Not be impatient
Do Not grumble against another person
Do Not lust after another person or possession
Do Not show partiality
Do Not consider yourself better than aother
Do Not boast
Do Not be envious
Do Not speak evil of another
Do Not judge falsely
"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well. But if you show partiality, you commit sin." (James 2: 8-9)
"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." (James 3: 6)
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there." (James 3: 13-16)
"... Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4: 4, 7-8, 10)
Friday, June 5, 2009
When we
When we step away from our obedience to God and determine in our hearts that we have more important things to do, that there are activities, events that won't get done if we are bogged down in Bible study and prayer, we have very definitely missed the mark. We will discover there is absolutely less we will accomplish. Our lives will be topsy-turvy.
You may have much to do, to accomplish, but without God guiding you, teaching you, providing insight for you, what do you, have you gained?
I remember years ago thinking I wish we could live like the Bible teaches, but I didn't know how. When our church participated in the Purpose-Driven Life I embarked on a journey I never wanted to be sidetracked from. And a recent Sunday School book study, "Loving God With All Your Mind" by Elizabeth George reaffirms it.
Reading and studying the Bible daily, being in tune to what God may be saying to me throughout the day has become of utmost importance. It begins my day. I am better for it when He is there with me early in the day rather than later or not at all.
I am not an early morning person, but if getting up earlier to spend time with the one who enables me to be a better individual to myself and to others, then so be it.
You just don't want to procrastinate. Don't put off for another day. Make a list, check it more than once. Seek His will, consider, remember He knows all, He is. We are His creation. If it were not so, we would not be.
Our relationship to God on earth will determine our relationship to Him in eternity.
When we are absent from our home church and unable to fulfill our tithe, when we return how much do we give? What do we do if 10 percent of our income no longer exists? If we give less does it mean God considers us irreverent? Is it reasonable to feel guilty? Has Satan brought this fear upon me? How should I respond?
Fear means my trust, my faith in God is wavering, that I trust myself or another more than I trust Him. No! I can only do what the Lord commands. I must give. But what amount? The percentage was determined long ago, as was the obedience. Still, our money has dwindled. Will God show me something new? Does our tithe always go to our home church? The tithe is the top best you have. Not always in money. I remember reading that somewhere. How you live, helping another, sharing from your abundance with another.
"When God's at the center of your life, you worship. When He's not, you worry."
Help me Lord to not be consumed with worry, but only in worshiping you.
You may have much to do, to accomplish, but without God guiding you, teaching you, providing insight for you, what do you, have you gained?
I remember years ago thinking I wish we could live like the Bible teaches, but I didn't know how. When our church participated in the Purpose-Driven Life I embarked on a journey I never wanted to be sidetracked from. And a recent Sunday School book study, "Loving God With All Your Mind" by Elizabeth George reaffirms it.
Reading and studying the Bible daily, being in tune to what God may be saying to me throughout the day has become of utmost importance. It begins my day. I am better for it when He is there with me early in the day rather than later or not at all.
I am not an early morning person, but if getting up earlier to spend time with the one who enables me to be a better individual to myself and to others, then so be it.
You just don't want to procrastinate. Don't put off for another day. Make a list, check it more than once. Seek His will, consider, remember He knows all, He is. We are His creation. If it were not so, we would not be.
Our relationship to God on earth will determine our relationship to Him in eternity.
When we are absent from our home church and unable to fulfill our tithe, when we return how much do we give? What do we do if 10 percent of our income no longer exists? If we give less does it mean God considers us irreverent? Is it reasonable to feel guilty? Has Satan brought this fear upon me? How should I respond?
Fear means my trust, my faith in God is wavering, that I trust myself or another more than I trust Him. No! I can only do what the Lord commands. I must give. But what amount? The percentage was determined long ago, as was the obedience. Still, our money has dwindled. Will God show me something new? Does our tithe always go to our home church? The tithe is the top best you have. Not always in money. I remember reading that somewhere. How you live, helping another, sharing from your abundance with another.
"When God's at the center of your life, you worship. When He's not, you worry."
Help me Lord to not be consumed with worry, but only in worshiping you.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Jesus is The Substitute for All
Friday morning before I went off to work I read 1 John 2: 1-27 and pondered this ....
The one who died as our Substitute now lives as our Advocate. I thought ... we are each and every one a sinner, whether we acknowledge it or not. God created us. Adam and Even disobeyed His commands and followed their own desires. Because of their disobedience God punished them, as well as future generations - you and me. It wasn't until God sent His Son, Jesus, to fulfill the law that God achieved what He sought. Jesus became our substitute. He paid the whole price for the sins of all. Even you who do not believe, who insist Jesus was only a prophet ... not the Son of God. Jesus went to the cross. Took the beatings, took the hatred, obeyed His father to the very end of His human existence, all for us. He died. Not a lay-me-down-and-go-to-sleep kind of death, but an excruciating death, with intense pain and torture, with nails pounded into his flesh He died. And then He was buried and after three days, He arose. That is the miracle and that is the basis for our Christian belief. The Substitute - Jesus died for my sin, your sin, and rose from the dead. And after 40 days He ascended into Heaven to be with the Father. And became, still is, our Advocate to the Father through the Holy Spirit who He sent, who abides in our hearts forever when we are One of His.
Verse 23, which says, "Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also," gave room for additional pondering through the weekend.
From 1 John 2: 23 God led me to John 15: 23, which basically says the same thing: "He who hates Me hates My Father also."
John 15: 18 tells us "If the world hates you (meaning Christians), you know that it hated me before it hated you." When we step out of the world and become a follower of Jesus, we become destined to the same kind of hatred Jesus endured. Verse 25a: "They hated Me without a cause." Yes, there was no reason. You don't want any part of something, you don't like hearing what is being said, you find reasons to hate and you find reasons to kill. So it is true, if we are a follower of Jesus the world hates us because of who we are and who we associate ourselves with.
Psalm 35: 19: "Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies; Nor let them wink with the eyes who hate me without a cause." There is no reason for Jesus to be the enemy, yet He is. Why? He simply went about His Father's business. But there were and still are millions of people who are ambivalent. They do not care about Father God. If they did care about God, then doesn't it seem reasonable that they would also care about His Son? Oh no, no no no. Jesus doesn't exist. He existed to a point. He was born and he was a prophet and then He died. That's it. To many, that is it.
Psalm 69: 4: "Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; They are mighty who would destroy me, Being my enemies wrongfully; Though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it."
John 16: 2-3: "They will put you out of synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because have not known the Father nor Me."
The Jews do not "know" Jesus. They think they "know" God, because of God's covenant with Abraham, because they are His chosen.
The Muslims do not know Jesus nor Father God, especially when you consider bomber pilots who kill in the name of their god, Allah. When I was searching on the internet for Islamic beliefs in relation to suicide bombers, I came across a Web site written soon after Sept. 11. It contained a couple of statements found in the pilots' belongings left at the airports -- "You're doing a job which is loved by God, and you will end your day in heavens where you will join the virgins." "I pray to you God to forgive me from all my sins, to allow me to glorify you in every possible way."
They think they offer service to God. They think they are doing the will of the Father. But they are not. Interesting thought - the Muslims, the Islam Nation has been thought to have begun when Abraham couldn't wait for the son God promised, but rather thought he himself needed to do something to obtain the promise. Thus Ishmael was born, the son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's maid. Ishmael was not the promised one, yet he was promised heir of a nation, a great nation. (Genesis 16 - 21)
John 5:22-24: "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."
2 John 9: "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son."
Romans 11: 2, 4a-5: "God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew ... I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.'' There were many who did not believe, who still do not believe, whose heart is hardened, but there is a remnant who have, who do, who will. The elect.
Romans 11: 7a-8: "Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were hardened. Just as it is written: God has given them a spirit of stupor. Eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear to this very day." This stumbling was not to cut them off forevermore. God wanted the Jews, the Israel nation to understand and be obedient to His will, but there were only some. Belief, faith, trust, comprehension was absent among many. Verse 11 says, "I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles." I daresay the Jews were not jealous. They were angry. As verse 20 says, "Because of unbelief they were broken off," and Gentiles, the rest of mankind, were made aware of their own lostness and their own need for salvation. The rest of verse 20 says, "and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear." We should not think we are better than the Jewish people. Not one is better than any other. God's son Jesus died for all of us ... the Jews, the Gentiles. Verse 21 goes on to say, "For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either."
On Sunday, we visited our home-away-from-home church in LaGrange, Mo. The Sunday school class I attended was doing a video series on "The Parables of Jesus" and the parable this particular week was on the Royal Marriage Feast in Matthew 22: 1-14.
Jesus tells us of a king who is inviting all to the marriage of his son. The king is God. The son is Jesus. The marriage is between Jesus and the church, His followers. Three invitations are sent out. The first invitation, in verse 3, shows us none of the invitees were interested in attending the festivities. They chose not to attend before the second invitation was even issued. They were not interested in being a follower of Jesus, in following His commandments. The second invitation, in verse 4, indicates the banquet is ready, the celebration is about to begin. But again, the invitees don't care. They are indifferent to the celebration and to the king. They ignore it. They refuse to believe God and His truths. They go about their own thing. They only believe what they want to believe. Their own truths. They don't have time. Whatever was going on in their lives was of way more importance than any marriage feast. Some, because they were so angry as to receive another invitation when it was evident they weren't going to come, made plans to kill the very ones who brought the invitation. Verses 9 and 10 show us then that those who are unworthy are invited to the banquet table. The Jews were the first and second invites. The Gentiles, the lost, became the third invites. And they came. They were ready. Verse 14 shows us that those who are called but do not accept Jesus will die in their sin and end up in eternal hell. They refuse to repent, turn from their wickedness. Those who are called and have received and accepted God's son Jesus as Savior become His chosen ones. His choice. His elect.
Matthew 21: 19: "And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, 'Let no fruit grow on you ever again.' And immediately the fig tree withered away."
Verse 43: "Therefore I say to you, The Kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it."
"For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14)
The one who died as our Substitute now lives as our Advocate. I thought ... we are each and every one a sinner, whether we acknowledge it or not. God created us. Adam and Even disobeyed His commands and followed their own desires. Because of their disobedience God punished them, as well as future generations - you and me. It wasn't until God sent His Son, Jesus, to fulfill the law that God achieved what He sought. Jesus became our substitute. He paid the whole price for the sins of all. Even you who do not believe, who insist Jesus was only a prophet ... not the Son of God. Jesus went to the cross. Took the beatings, took the hatred, obeyed His father to the very end of His human existence, all for us. He died. Not a lay-me-down-and-go-to-sleep kind of death, but an excruciating death, with intense pain and torture, with nails pounded into his flesh He died. And then He was buried and after three days, He arose. That is the miracle and that is the basis for our Christian belief. The Substitute - Jesus died for my sin, your sin, and rose from the dead. And after 40 days He ascended into Heaven to be with the Father. And became, still is, our Advocate to the Father through the Holy Spirit who He sent, who abides in our hearts forever when we are One of His.
Verse 23, which says, "Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also," gave room for additional pondering through the weekend.
From 1 John 2: 23 God led me to John 15: 23, which basically says the same thing: "He who hates Me hates My Father also."
John 15: 18 tells us "If the world hates you (meaning Christians), you know that it hated me before it hated you." When we step out of the world and become a follower of Jesus, we become destined to the same kind of hatred Jesus endured. Verse 25a: "They hated Me without a cause." Yes, there was no reason. You don't want any part of something, you don't like hearing what is being said, you find reasons to hate and you find reasons to kill. So it is true, if we are a follower of Jesus the world hates us because of who we are and who we associate ourselves with.
Psalm 35: 19: "Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies; Nor let them wink with the eyes who hate me without a cause." There is no reason for Jesus to be the enemy, yet He is. Why? He simply went about His Father's business. But there were and still are millions of people who are ambivalent. They do not care about Father God. If they did care about God, then doesn't it seem reasonable that they would also care about His Son? Oh no, no no no. Jesus doesn't exist. He existed to a point. He was born and he was a prophet and then He died. That's it. To many, that is it.
Psalm 69: 4: "Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; They are mighty who would destroy me, Being my enemies wrongfully; Though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it."
John 16: 2-3: "They will put you out of synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because have not known the Father nor Me."
The Jews do not "know" Jesus. They think they "know" God, because of God's covenant with Abraham, because they are His chosen.
The Muslims do not know Jesus nor Father God, especially when you consider bomber pilots who kill in the name of their god, Allah. When I was searching on the internet for Islamic beliefs in relation to suicide bombers, I came across a Web site written soon after Sept. 11. It contained a couple of statements found in the pilots' belongings left at the airports -- "You're doing a job which is loved by God, and you will end your day in heavens where you will join the virgins." "I pray to you God to forgive me from all my sins, to allow me to glorify you in every possible way."
They think they offer service to God. They think they are doing the will of the Father. But they are not. Interesting thought - the Muslims, the Islam Nation has been thought to have begun when Abraham couldn't wait for the son God promised, but rather thought he himself needed to do something to obtain the promise. Thus Ishmael was born, the son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's maid. Ishmael was not the promised one, yet he was promised heir of a nation, a great nation. (Genesis 16 - 21)
John 5:22-24: "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."
2 John 9: "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son."
Romans 11: 2, 4a-5: "God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew ... I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.'' There were many who did not believe, who still do not believe, whose heart is hardened, but there is a remnant who have, who do, who will. The elect.
Romans 11: 7a-8: "Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were hardened. Just as it is written: God has given them a spirit of stupor. Eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear to this very day." This stumbling was not to cut them off forevermore. God wanted the Jews, the Israel nation to understand and be obedient to His will, but there were only some. Belief, faith, trust, comprehension was absent among many. Verse 11 says, "I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles." I daresay the Jews were not jealous. They were angry. As verse 20 says, "Because of unbelief they were broken off," and Gentiles, the rest of mankind, were made aware of their own lostness and their own need for salvation. The rest of verse 20 says, "and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear." We should not think we are better than the Jewish people. Not one is better than any other. God's son Jesus died for all of us ... the Jews, the Gentiles. Verse 21 goes on to say, "For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either."
On Sunday, we visited our home-away-from-home church in LaGrange, Mo. The Sunday school class I attended was doing a video series on "The Parables of Jesus" and the parable this particular week was on the Royal Marriage Feast in Matthew 22: 1-14.
Jesus tells us of a king who is inviting all to the marriage of his son. The king is God. The son is Jesus. The marriage is between Jesus and the church, His followers. Three invitations are sent out. The first invitation, in verse 3, shows us none of the invitees were interested in attending the festivities. They chose not to attend before the second invitation was even issued. They were not interested in being a follower of Jesus, in following His commandments. The second invitation, in verse 4, indicates the banquet is ready, the celebration is about to begin. But again, the invitees don't care. They are indifferent to the celebration and to the king. They ignore it. They refuse to believe God and His truths. They go about their own thing. They only believe what they want to believe. Their own truths. They don't have time. Whatever was going on in their lives was of way more importance than any marriage feast. Some, because they were so angry as to receive another invitation when it was evident they weren't going to come, made plans to kill the very ones who brought the invitation. Verses 9 and 10 show us then that those who are unworthy are invited to the banquet table. The Jews were the first and second invites. The Gentiles, the lost, became the third invites. And they came. They were ready. Verse 14 shows us that those who are called but do not accept Jesus will die in their sin and end up in eternal hell. They refuse to repent, turn from their wickedness. Those who are called and have received and accepted God's son Jesus as Savior become His chosen ones. His choice. His elect.
Matthew 21: 19: "And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, 'Let no fruit grow on you ever again.' And immediately the fig tree withered away."
Verse 43: "Therefore I say to you, The Kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it."
"For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14)
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