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Edification (Website Page 2)
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Invitation to Act
Quotable Quotes
Why People Lie
Who Am I?
Three Enemies of Faith
The Irony of Lies
Pslam 23 - for ME
The Irony of Love
Things You Thought Were In the Bible
Audacity - The Counterfeit of Importunity
Are relationships more important than material things?
A Fool...
Basic Principles in the Christian Walk
Jesus in the Old and New Testament
Counterfeits of Love
Who I Am In Christ
A Baby's Hug
Recently I talked with a DJ of a Christian radio station. We were discussing the difference between commercial and non-commercial stations, and how the FCC distinguishes between the two. I was surprised to find out the the pivotal point is whether or not the "commercials" the station broadcasts invite the listener to act on what is advertised. "Come on down and check out our specials", or "Shop with us this Holiday Season", etc. If the listener is invited to act on the information in the commercial, it is considered by the FCC as a "commercial". If it is just information, but no invitation is given to act, it is considered an "Underwriter" or "Sponsor", and the radio station can operate as "non-commercial".
I thought it was very interesting the way a secular organization such as the FCC defines "commercial" and "non-commercial". In the world system, it is about money. I suppose it amounts to a person being a "doer" of the "word", rather than a hearer only.
In the religious world, the difference between someone who gets involved in a particular religion is (most of the time) whether or not they become a "member" or go through some physical act to become part of that religion, by ACTING on the information.
But with Christianity, the difference in becoming a "believer" is still being a "doer" of the "Word" and not a hearer only, but his ACTION on the information is based not on a physical act, but his TRUSTING by FAITH in what he has heard. Then he demonstrates that faith by his physical actions.
It is interesting that a secular world system distinguishes between a "hearer only" and a "doer" by whether he is invited to spend money - ("mammmon") which is what the world system runs on. But Christianity operates on FAITH, which distinguishes it from any other religion or organism. However, he must act on the information, just like the secular mentality, or his faith is of none effect.
© 2005 David Film.
The epitome of blame:
“It’s your fault if it happens - You thought that it might.
So if it does, It’s because you were afraid that it would.”
If you justify why you are where you are
You’ll always stay the way you are
The cost is free for all who want the blessings it will bring,
But the price to answer Jesus’ call will cost you everything.
To put a monetary price tag on damages incurred
by some injustice done to us is usually only a way of venting our revenge.
If you want to impact the world around you,
Forgive those who wronged you,
And apologize to those you wronged.
Compromise: When we protect some god in our life at the expense of truth.
The truth is always there, But pride stands in the way of finding it.
Gossip: Spreading lies as a reason to slay
Blackmail: Using the truth as a purpose of pay
Politics: Telling lies so as not to get caught
Loyalty: Standing for truth and can’t be bought
Rationalism: When we look for an excuse to do what we were going to do anyway.
Faith flies in the face of facts
A Right:
Something that someone takes away from us,
Then gives it back and calls it “a privilege”
1-If you don’t know your rights, you don’t have any.
2-If you don’t exercise your rights, you might as well not have any.
3-Right not personally invoked are considered to be waived.
The Pride of Life:
Something inside of us that struggles to stay alive,
and we think God says what we want Him to.
What I do, how I think, how I feel, what I say when I’m alone, is who I really am,
Because I know I can’t fool God, And He’s the only One listening.
Faith: The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Fear: The materializing of things dreaded, The anticipation of the unknown.
Colorized Versions:
To see one is technology. To hear one is gossip. To tell one is conspiracy.
The world operates in an area of ability and appeals to an area of weakness.
True love operates in an area of meekness, and appeals to an area of need.
Authority + Responsibility = Normal
Authority - Responsibility = Tyranny
Irresponsibility - Authority = Anarchy
Responsibility - Authority = Nervous Breakdown
“Strange is our situation here on earth. Each of us comes for a short visit without knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of our daily life, however, there one thing we do know - that we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day I realize how much my own outer and inner life is built around the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.”
Albert Einstein
1-They exaggerate to build self esteem.
2-To prevent embarrassment. (ie; Skeletons in family closet.)
3-To protect privacy. (Lest a personal matter becomes public.)
4-Don’t want to be inconvenienced. (Think the truth will complicate the issue)
5-To avoid adverse discipline or punishment.
6-To seek to manipulate people.
7-For monetary gain or possessions.
8-To protect their “god” which may be anything or anyone
9-Compulsion - Claim they can’t help it (Pathological)
10-If they love someone - to protect them (not to be confused with #8)
11-Because of peer pressure - fear alienation.
12-Make promises they can’t keep (ie; political) to maintain image/reputation.
Unknown
l-I am a “god” but I have no form or personality.
a-This way, any beliefs you have formulated about in your religion will not be threatened when you adopt me into your life.
b-An “impersonal” god can co-exist in your life with your ritualistic, liturgical religion, yet without you even knowing it.
c-You will not know me as a “religion”, but I will be your one true god.
d-Your “Pseudo religion” will only be a religious “preference”, with no conviction. You will have more conviction with your faith in me!
2-I will appeal to lust of the flesh (body), lust of the eyes (soul) and pride of life (spirit) - the same three temptations with Adam & Eve. l will provide your needs, wants and desires of your lifestyle but will create for you a lifestyle of dependency and allegiance (“A three-fold cord is not quickly broken” Ecc. 4:12)
3-1 will condition a lifestyle with no provision for options or alternatives:
a-Will create a herd bound mentality of “keeping up with Jones’s”
b-Tell you a lie long enough that you will believe it.
c-No amount of me will ever be enough. It will never satisfy.
4-l will make a slave out of you by working for me.
a-It will keep you in a “comfort zone” appealing to path of least resistance
b-You will enjoy it, because you can pick whatever rock pile you want.
c- I will perpetuate a bondage and allegiance by one simple act that will put a noose around your neck that will be practically impossible to get out of, and....
d-You will not even know it..
5-When you make one final irreversible act of allegiance to me, it will send you to hell forever. It will be the ultimate act of absolute idolatry.
Answer: Money
1-People believe more in money than they do their own religion.
2-Money buys almost everything “Our little heart desires”, but “The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked” Jer. 17:9
3-People are conditioned to thinking they cannot live without it.
4-The bondage is one word DEBT. Eventually, too much will be at stake.
5-Ultimately every phase of life will require you to have an account number.
6-If we expect money to do for us what only God can do, then money has become our god.
1-Empiricism: If one stops to realize, this whole physical world is based on empiricism. The TV we watch is based on an artificial lifestyle. The things we see are not the colors they appear to be. Not only is the color we see only the way the object reflects the spectrum (the object itself has no color), but everything we see is made or painted with artificial coloring anyway. Artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, plastics, etc. Our whole system runs on energy based on carbon, when God’s energy is based on hydrogen. The money we spend is not money at all, and is only backed up by paper. The only reason you can spend it is because the one you give it to is convinced that he can spend it. In reality, this “real” world is not real at all. We are deceived at every turn. It like living in some “Alice in Wonderland” world, yet thinking the whole time that it truth, when in reality it is a lie. When we look “through the looking glass” and raise our right hand, the one in the “looking glass” raises his left. Yet the image is not reversed, even though our textbook say that it is. If we hold up a letter “R” to the mirror, the “R” is reversed - but not because the mirror reversed it, but because WE reversed it when it faced the mirror!
2-Emotionalism: Lust of the eyes (In the temptation in the wilderness, Satan showed Jesus "all the kingdoms of the world" (Matt. 4:8,9 - lust of the eyes). Emotionalism produces emotional dependency. Individuals make decisions based on how they may feel or letting emotion be the criteria. People with emotional hurts, etc, become materialistic with possessions, material things to compensate for their emotional security. Also related in this area are emotional ties to family members, ancestry, family traditions, heirlooms, etc. As long as these areas are their god, they will eventually become their Judas.
3-Rationalism: We only accept things as fact if they “make sense”, if they are “logical”. We only believe things that we have been told are true, or accepted by the masses as true. If enough books, encyclopedias, teachers says they are true, that makes them true. If they “line up with the norm” they are accepted as fact. Yet if one was to go back to square one, they will find that even our encyclopedias and history books are being rewritten to agree with what they want the public to believe. We are trained to doubt the facts and accept the theories. We are taught to “go with the flow”, the “acceptable lifestyle” of credit, false securities, insurance policies, electronic cash, etc. Anything or anyone who doesn’t line up with this mentality is regarded as the “misfit, hindering the wheels of progress”.
©1995 David Film.
1-The fear of the unknown (which may not even exist) produces the same results - worry, anxiety, terror, etc - as if it were real.
2-Believing a lie about someone may create the same unforgiveness, resentment, grievance - that it would create if it were true.
3-We often center our lifestyle and decisions around things we believe. We may change jobs, relocate, or even commit suicide based on some mis-information.
4-Lies needlessly split up relationships, marriages, even incarcerate the innocent.
5-An entire nation (or the entire world) can be put in bondage, slavery and ultimately destroyed, simply because they were convinced to believe lies.
6-One of satan’s goals is cause believers to walk in carnality - thus cheat God out of rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ - all based on lies and deception.
7-The most sadistic, diabolical tool of Satan is to send humanity to hell forever by convincing them to believe in something that doesn’t even exist, (money) and convince them NOT to believe in someone Who does! “Ye cannot serve God and mammon” Mt. 6:24, Luke 16:13.
8-The culmination of his plan ultimately (Rev. 14) is by conditioning the entire human race to trust in “mammon” (money), which, ultimately will have no backing, no material value - but merely a credit balance in a computer - positively worthless, no more than the paper it is printed on, except to be used as a tool to enslave mankind (“The borrower is servant to the lender” Prov. 22:7)
(see also “Paperville”, “You cannot print money on paper”, “Conflicts of interest of money”
©2001 David Film.
The Lord is my Shepherd - That’s Relationship!
I shall not want - That’s Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures - That’s Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters - That’s Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul - That’s Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness - That’s Guidance!
For His name sake - That’s Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death - That’s Testing!
I will fear no evil - That’s Protection!
For Thou art with me - That’s Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me - That’s Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies - That’s Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil - That’s Consecration!
My cup runneth over - That’s Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life - That’s Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord - That’s Security!
Forever - That’s Eternity!
Unknown
What a useless commodity -
Yet it is never perishable
You can’t buy it, sell it or steal it,
Unless you counterfeit it
If you think you can earn it or deserve it
You don’t understand it
You can learn about it, teach about it
But it is only head knowledge to know what it is or isn’t
You can talk about it, sing about it
Yet never experience it
It’s totally free -
Yet you can never have it -
Unless you give it away.
And it’s worth more than all the money in the world
God knows it’s worth dying for -
and so He did
©1995 David Film
1-The phrase "God helps those who help themselves" is not in the Bible, although the concept is implied that He is waiting for us to make some attempt, then He will intervene.
2-The curse on Adam found in Genesis 3 "Thou shalt work by the sweat of thy brow" is not found. Genesis 3:19 says " In the sweat of thy FACE shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."
3-Believers in Jesus Christ are not under the Ten Commandments. The purpose of the law was a "schoolmaster" to point us to Christ. Galatians 3:25 "But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster". This is because we are no longer in bondage or dead to the "oldness of the letter", but alive under a new law, the law of love - which are the Two Great Commandments.
4-The phrase "Forbidden fruit" is nowhere to be found. The context is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which Adam and Eve were told not to partake of. But God never referred to the "fruit". Genesis 2:16,17 "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
5-Believers in Jesus Christ are not commanded to "Rest on the Sabbath". Of all the
commandments, this was one Jesus never referred to. The point is that Hebrews tells us to "rest" from our works (allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us). This does not mean it is not a good idea to rest one day a week (or two, or whatever), but we are not under any law to do so.
6- Moses was not permitted to go into the promised land. However, it was NOT because he struck the rock instead of speaking to it. It was NOT because he spoiled the type (of Christ). There was something much more serious behind that incident. When Moses said “Shall WE fetch you water?”, he was implying that God needed his help. Pride was robbing God of His glory!
7-Nowhere in the New Testament are believers told to “Tithe”. The Scriptures know nothing of “Christian tithing”.Jesus Christ’s followers did not pay tithe to Him from farm products or herds; neither did His followers pay Him ten percent of their salaries from other sources of income. "Christian tithing" is an oxymoron—it is a contradiction of words. Nay, it is more: it is, in fact, a Christian hoax. "Christian tithing" should also include "Christian burnt offerings," "Christian stonings," or "Christian synagogues." (Email STOPGAP111@Yahoo.com for a comprehensive study on this subject.)
8-Jesus was not crucified on Friday. Mt 12:40 “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” There is no way He could be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth from Friday to Sunday.
9-Jesus was not born on December 25. When the Israelites mixed with the Babylonians, intermarrying, etc, they adopted many of their religious practices – one being the celebration of “Tammuz’s” (son of Nimrod and Semiramis) birth each year on the winter solstice. Cutting down evergreen trees to hang gold and silver on, the yule log, and “Ishtar” the celebration of “Tammuz’s” so-called resurrection after being killed by a Boar, with “Ishtar eggs”, all of which has nothing to do with Jesus’ birth or death.
Anonymous
In a presentation I do called “The Wonder of Light”, I often have the challenge of speaking to age groups from five to adult all at the same time. It is usually frustrating as well as challenging to keep everyone’s attention. But more than that, there are issues I would like to discuss in my presentation that I never get to, mostly because of the time frame I am given.
In my presentation on the subject of light and darkness, not only do I teach about the seven 7’s of light, but also discuss a cosmos system of darkness that counterfeits the light as well. Hydrocarbons (based on carbon atoms - which have 6 protons, 6 neutrons and 6 electrons) - from which we get artificial coloring, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavoring, pigment in ink in the printing industry that make “copies of originals”, toner in copying machines that duplicate originals, etc.
In any case, this counterfeit system of darkness imitates the real world that we see, hear, taste, touch and smell, and a system of thinking that counterfeits the truth. (request details). The title above is only one of such instances.
In Luke 11:8, we find the story of the importunate friend. He went to a neighbor’s house in the middle of the night to ask him for bread. The neighbor told him to go away - come back some other time - he was in bed.
Luke 11:8-13 "I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. [9] And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. [10] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. [11] If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? [12] Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? [13] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"
This passage deals with a principle of coming to God to petition Him for things we ask in prayer. In the Greek the word “importunity” is “anaideia” - which means shamelessness, impudence.
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Because of who we are in Christ, and the fact that we can now enter the holy of holies, we can therefore come to Him with boldness. The word in Luke “Knock” (and it shall be opened unto you) is in the present tense, which means a continual knocking - not just one time.
Because of who we are in Christ, we have the privilege of coming to Him to ask the petitions we have, and not take no for an answer.
However, audacity is the counterfeit of importunity. There are those in the church that feel they have the “right” to come to Him with petitions, but go on living day to day doing their own thing. One day, a good friend of mine was advising me about my occupation. His fatherly advice to me was to look in the classifieds for a job that pays more. Then quit and go work there, but continue to search the classifieds for a better job, and quit again and go work for them. What was he telling me to do? Follow the money trail.
“Get the job that pays the most, but suddenly we realize the source from which we boast
Is not the Kingdom Jesus taught in His sermon on the Mount,
But more like King Solomon, and the wealth that he did count.”
With a mentality like this, money becomes our motive, our criterion, and our god. There are other aspects in the Christian life that demonstrate our attitude of idolatry, as we find in 1 Cor. 10:7 “Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
The children of Israel in the wilderness were in unbelief because of their murmuring and complaining, lack of faith - and idolatry. Those before the flood were involved in the same lifestyle:
Matthew 24:38 “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark...” And of all things, we find in verse 37: “As was in the days of Noah, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.” In this Laodicean age of the church, we are “increased with goods and have need of nothing.” (Rev. 3:17) “....KNOWEST NOT that thou are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.”
We are not only living a counterfeit lifestyle, but DON’T EVEN KNOW IT. We have all our needs met, and all the security we want but
if we expect money to do for us what only God can do,
then money has become our god.
We begin to build our life around our source of security. We are living a lifestyle of idolatry, and don’t even realize it.
We can go to prayer meetings on Wednesday night, sit right beside someone petitioning God with requests, and even say exactly the same words they are saying. Yet one prayer is a sweet smelling incense to Heaven, with “Importunity” and coming boldly to the throne of grace. The other is nothing more than audacity, with arrogance and nerve to ask God for things when his lifestyle is a reproach to God.
Matthew 15:7-9 “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, [8] This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. [9] But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
We live our own life, with our own plans day to day, yet have the audacity to come to Him with prayer requests!
There is a mentality of “claiming God’s promises”. I do not minimize the principle involved in coming to Him in prayer. But more often than not it was a mentality of “twisting God’s arm behind His back”, telling Him that He was obligated by promises in His Word. Who do we think we are to have an attitude to come to Him like that! Humility has taken a back seat. We manipulate promises in His Word to our own advantage (usually to consume it on our own lusts), tell Him what we want, and even tell Him He has to perform! I even knew of those who would actually go over to someone’s BMW in a parking lot and lay hands on it, claiming it in the “Name of Jesus”, and justifying it by saying that they wanted to use it for ministry! And in all this, they did not even know there was anything wrong.
If we are going to expect God to hear our petitions, we are going to have to demonstrate a life of humility and repentance. Anything less than that is nothing more than audacity and nerve to even expect Him to hear us.
John 9:31 “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and DOETH HIS WILL, him he heareth.”
© David Film 2002.
Do we really believe what Jesus taught about forgiving someone a debt? Here are some thought-provoking questions to help introspect and re-evaluate our viewpoint of Matt. 18.
1-If you got something for $10 that was worth $100, how would you treat it?
a-As if it was worth $10
b-As if it was worth $100
2-If you sold it, would you feel you were justified in selling it for $100?
If it was given to you, would you still feel justified in selling it for $100?
What if it was given/sold to you:
a-By a close relative
b-By someone you barely knew
c-Wouldn’t matter
Would you want to make sure they didn’t know you sold it?
3-If you bought a $100 gift for $10 for someone else:
a-Would you feel as if you were slighting them?
b-Would you tell them?
c-If they felt it was a $100 gift, not knowing what you paid, would you feel you were deceiving them?
d-Would you feel obligated to get other things to “make up” for the money you saved in buying it?
4-If someone sold you something, and you felt it was worth what they charged, but later on found out that they didn’t pay that for it:
a-Would you feel cheated even though it was worth it?
b-Would you still feel you got a fair deal, recognizing it’s worth more than their intentions?
c-Would you return and demand retribution?
5-How would you feel toward that person?
a-Continue to do business with them in the future anyway
b-Let the above deal affect your relationship
6-If someone owed you $100, and they were overdue in paying you, (a loan at 0% interest) then you got $100 from some unexpected source, would you:
a-Feels as though it is God making up the difference,
b-Still hold them to the debt?
c-Forgive them of the debt?
7-If the person who owed you was deliberately cheating you, enjoying conveniences at your expense
a-Would it affect the above decision?
b-Would it matter?
8-Why all these questions? It is designed to be a thought-provoking test on forgiveness.
©David Film 1999
One who allows a harlot to destroy his soul. Prov. 7:27
One who appears to be wise, until he speaks. Prov. 16:22
One who assumes his life will go on indefinitely. Luke 12:20
One who attempts to build his life on other foundations than God. Mt. 7:26
One who believes every word he hears. Prov. 14:15
One who brings grief to his parents. Prov. 17:25
One who cannot control his temper. Prov. 14:17
One who damages the reputation of reprovers. Prov. 9:7
One who delights in scorning. Prov. 1:22
One who despises his father's instruction. Prov. 15:5
One who despises his mother. Prov. 15:20
One who despises those who speak wisdom. Prov. 23:9
One who destroys his parent's joy. Prov. 17:21
One who does not forsee evil. Prov. 22:3
One who does not know of God's power to raise dead bodies. I Cor. 15:36
One who does not listen to verbal rebukes. Prov. 13:1
One who enjoys simplemindedness. Prov. 1:22
One who exalts himself in pride. Prov. 30:32
One who falls into mischief. Prov. 10:8
One who feeds on foolishness. Prov. 15:14
One who hides hatred with lies. Prov. 10:18
One who inherits folly. Prov. 14:18
One who is a pseudo-intellectual. Prov. 14:6
One who is an angry person. Prov. 27:3
One who is contentious. Prov. 18:6
One who is damaged by prosperity. Prov. 1:32
One who is full of wrath. Prov. 21:24
One who initiates contention and strife. Prov. 22:10
One who is overconfident in doing evil. Prov. 14:16
One who is right in his own eyes. Prov. 12:15
One who is self-centered, blinded to his own faults. Prov. 12:15
One who is extremely curious. Prov. 9:1-5
One who is void of understanding. Prov. 7:6
One who learns when scorners are punished. Prov. 19:25
One who looks for platforms from which to speak. Prov. 17:7
One who makes no spiritual plans for the future. Matt. 25:3
One who meddles, deliberately stirring up strife. Prov. 20:3
One who mocks, laughing at the seriousness of sin. Prov. 14:9
One who proclaims foolishness. Prov. 12:23
One who returns to the bondage of the law after enjoying grace. Gal. 3:1
One whose folly is deceit. Prov. 14:8
One who slanders by badmouthing believers. Prov. 10:18
One who speaks without knowledge. Prov. 10:14
One who substitutes worship of things for worship of God. Rom. 1:22
One who squanders his resources. Prov. 21:20
One who troubles his own family. Prov. 11:29
One who turns mischief into a sport. Prov. 10:23
One who utters all his mind. Prov. 29:11
The area of "doubtful things" cannot be solved by direct prohibition in the Bible: "thou shalt not...".
These problems can be solved yourself by four basic principles given in 1 Cor. 6, 10, Gal. 5.
1.The Law of Liberty: 1 Cor. 6:12, Gal. 5:1, 13
Directed toward ones self. I have the right to walk in fellowship, to serve the Lord. I have the liberty to operate outside the demands of the old sin nature. This is not the liberty to sin. Romans 6:1, 15
2. The Law of love: Gal. 6:13
Directed toward other believers. I have the right to do certain things but I will refrain from doing them (not because they are wrong) but because:
a. Of love (agapao) for the weaker and often legalistic brethren.
b. To keep them from being upset, disturbed or critical.
c. I want to help other believers, rather than hinder them (a sign of maturity).
3. The Law of Expediency: 1 Cor. 6:12
a. Directed toward the unbeliever.
b. Unbeliever has set in his mind (right or wrong), for the believer.
c. I have the right to do certain things, but I will refrain because it might offend an
unbeliever and keep him from seeing the real issue: Christ died for his sins.
4.The Law of Supreme Sacrifice-1 Cor. 9:5
a. Directed toward God.
b. There are normal pleasant things in life that neither the weak believer nor the
unbeliever would object to which I may need to set aside to serve the Lord to the maximum.
The question of what is right and wrong for me to do as a believer - when it is not specifically forbidden by the word - is easily resolved by these four laws. But the believer is NEVER to cater to legalism.
By Ralph G. Braun. P. 179 Categorical Notebook. Reproduce freely, but maintain this notice.
Genesis - He is the Seed of the woman
Exodus - He is the Lamb of God for sinners slain
Leviticus - He is our High Priest
Numbers - He is the Star out of Jacob
Deuteronomy - He is the Prophet like unto Moses
Joshua - He is the Captain of the Lord's host
Judges - He is the Messenger of Jehovah
Ruth - He is our Kinsman Redeemer
I Samuel - He is the despised and rejected King
II Samuel - He is the trusted Prophet
I, II Kings - He is the reigning King
I, II Chronicles - He is the Lord and Lord and King of Kings
Ezra - He is the faithful Scribe
Nehemiah - he is the Rebuilder of broken walls
Esther - He is our Mordecai
Job - He is our risen and returning Redeemer
Psalms - He is the Leader of praise
Proverbs - He is our Wisdom
Ecclesiastes - He is the forgotten Wise Man
Song of Solomon - He is My Beloved
Isaiah - He is our Suffering Substitute
Jeremiah - He is the Lord of Righteousness
Lamentations - He is the Man of sorrows
Ezekiel - He is the Glory of God
Daniel - He is the Smiting Stone
Hosea - He is David's greater King
Joel - He is the Hope of His people
Amos - He is the Rescuer of Israel
Obadiah - He is the Deliverer upon Mt. Zion
Jonah - He is the Buried and Risen Saviour
Micah - He is the Everlasting God
Nahum - He is our Stronghold in the day of wrath
Habbakuk - He is the Anchor of our faith
Zephaniah - He is in the midst for judgment and cleansing
Haggai - He is the Lord of presence and power
Zechariah - He is the Smitten Shepherd
Malachi - He is the Son of Righteousness
Matthew - He is the Messiah
Mark - He is the Servant
Luke - He is the Son of Man
John - He is the Son of God
Acts - He is the Ascended Lord
Romans - He is our Righteousness
I Corinthians - He is the Firstfruits from among the dead
II Corinthians - He is made sin for us
Galatians - He is the end of the law
Ephesians - He is our Armor
Philippians - He is the Supplier of every need
Colossians - He is the Fullness of the Godhead bodily
I Thessalonians - He is our Returning Lord
II Thessalonians - He is the world's returning Judge
I Timothy - He is the Mediator between God and men
II Timothy - He is the Bestower of crowns
Titus - He is our Great God and Saviour
Philemon - He is the Father's Partner
Hebrews - He is the Blood of the everlasting Covenant
James - He is the Lord of Hosts
I Peter - He is the Theme of Old Testament prophecy
II Peter - He is the Long Suffering Saviour
I John - He is the Word of Life
II John - He is the Target of the antichrist
III John - He is the Personification of Truth
Jude - He is the Believer's security
Revelation - He is the King of King and Lord of Lords
Compiled by Ralph G. Braun
For more titles of Jesus
Faith
Is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
Fear
Is the materializing of things dreaded,
the anticipation of the unknown.
Love is patient, but tolerance runs out
Love is kind, but sentimentality pretends
Love does not envy, but jealousy puts on an act
Love does not brag, but approbation fishes for compliments
Love is not proud, but false humility is
Love is genuine, but "eros" tries to impress
Love has no selfish motives, but greed says "What's in it for me"
Love returns good for evil, but revenge IS evil
Love does not look for evil, but hostility looks to criticize
Love does not rejoice in evil, but rebellion loves destruction
Love rejoices in the Truth, but gossip spreads lies
Love bears all things, but good intentions collapse when tested
Love believes all things, but gullibility lacks discernment
Love hopes for the best, but pessimism expects the worst
Love endures all things, but futility gives up
Love never fails, but human efforts are fickle
And now abides
Faith (not presumption)
Hope (not wishful thinking)
Love (not sentimentality)
And the greatest of these...
is agape love.
© 1999, David Film
"Christ in you, the hope of glory" Col. 1:27
1. God's child for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever. 1 Pet. 1:23
2. Forgiven of all my sins and washed in the blood. Eph. 1:7
3. A new creature. II Cor. 5:17
4. The temple of the Holy Spirit I Cor. 6:19
5. Delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God's kingdom. Col. 1:13
6. Redeemed from the curse of the law. I Pet. 1:18
7. Blessed. Deut. 28:1-14
8. A saint. Rom. 1:7
9. The head and not the tail. Deut. 28:13
10. Above only and not beneath. Deut. 28:13
11. Holy and without blame before Him in love. I Pet. 1:16
12. Elect. Col 3:12
13. Established to the end. I Cor. 1:8
14. Made nigh by the blood of Christ. Eph. 2:13
15. Victorious. Rev. 21:7
16. Set free. Jn. 8:31
17. Strong in the Lord. Eph. 6:10
18. Dead to sin. Rom. 6:2
19: More than a conqueror. Rom. 8:37
20. Joint heirs with Christ. Rom. 8:17
21. Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Eph. 1:13
22. In Christ Jesus by His doing. I Cor. 1:30
23. Accepted in the Beloved. Eph. 1:6
24. Complete in Him. Col 2:10
25. Crucified with Christ. Gal. 2:20
26. Alive with Christ. Eph. 2:5
27. Free from condemnation. Rom. 8:1
28. Reconciled to God. II Cor. 5:18
29. Qualified to share in His inheritance. Col. 1:12
30. Firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude. Col. 2:7.
31. Circumcised with the circumcision made without hands. Col 2:11
32. A fellow citizen with the saints and of the household of God. Col. 2:11
33. Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone. Eph. 2:20
34. In the world as He is in Heaven. I John 4:17
35. born of God and the evil one does not touch me. I Jn. 5:18
36. His faithful follower. Rev. 17:14
37. Overtaken with blessings. Deut. 28:2
38. His disciple because I have love for others. Jn. 13:34
39. The light of the world. Matt. 5:14
40. The salt of the earth. Matt. 5:13
41. The righteousness of God. II Cor. 5:21
42. A partaker of His divine nature. II Pet. 1:4
43. Called of God. II Tim. 1:9
44. The first fruits among His creation. James 1:18
45. Chosen. I Thes. 1:4
46. An ambassador for Christ. II Cor. 5:20
47. God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works. Eph. 2:10
48. The apple of My Father's eye. Deut. 32:10
49. Healed by the stripes of Jesus. I Pet. 2:24
50. Being changed into His image. II Cor. 3:18
51. Raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places. Col. 2:12
52. Beloved of God. Col. 3:12
53. One in Christ! Jn. 17:21
54. I have the mind of Christ. Phil. 2:5
55. I have obtained an inheritance. Eph. 1:11
56. I have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Heb. 4:16
57. I have overcome the world. I Jn. 5:4
58. I have everlasting life and will not be condemned. Jn. 5:24
59. I have the peace of God which passes understanding. Phil. 4:7
60. I have received power - the power of the Holy Spirit. Power to lay hands on the sick, see them recover Power to cast out demons, power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt me. Mark 16:17, Luke 10:17,19
61. I live by and in the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. Rom. 8:2
62. I walk in Christ Jesus. Col. 2:6
63. I can do all things in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:13
64. I can do even greater works than Christ Jesus. Jn. 14:12
65. I possess the Greater One in me because greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. I Jn. 4:4
66. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God. Phil. 3:14
67. I always triumph in Christ. II Cor. 2:14
68. I show forth His praise. I Pet. 2:9
69. My life is hid with Christ in God. Col. 3:2
70. I am forgiven and have the power to forgive. Mt. 6:12, 14, 18:21, 35
Source unknown
A Baby's Hug
by Evelyn Moore Lowery
We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, "Hi." He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell anything, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists.
"Hi there, baby; Hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster," the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, "What do we do?" Erik continued to laugh and answer, "Hi" . Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man . The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, "Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo." Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.
My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skidrow bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. We finally got through the meal and headed for the door.
My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. "Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik," I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's "pick-me-up" position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man's
Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship.. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, "You take care of this baby."
Somehow I managed, "I will," from a throat that contained a stone.
He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain I received my baby, and the man said, "God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift." I said nothing more than a muttered thanks.
With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, "My God, my God, forgive me."
I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not.
I felt it was God asking, "Are you willing to share your son for a moment?" When He shared His for all eternity. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, "To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children."
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