[1 Pet. 5:1] The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of HaMashiach, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
The idea of the elder came into church life from Jewish culture (Exodus 3:16, 12:21, 19:7). The word "elder" simply speaks of the maturity and wisdom that an older person should have, making them qualified for leadership. One could not even become an elder until they were at least 30 years old with the experiences life has taught. In its application, it is more about wisdom and maturity than age.
It was the practice of Paul and Barnabas to appoint elders in the churches they had founded (Acts 14:23). There was also the development of the office of pastor, who was essentially a teaching elder (1 Timothy 5:17) who appointed and guided elders and other leaders (1 Timothy 3:1-13, 2 Timothy 2:2, Titus 1:5-9).
Those whose office it is to teach others ought carefully to study their own duty, as well as teach the people theirs.
Peter is qualified to speak because he is a fellow elder. Though Peter was clearly the prominent disciple among the twelve, he claims no special privilege or position.
Peter saw both suffering and glory in the life of Y’Shua, he can speak with the authority of an eyewitness. His higher dignity as an apostle is herein delicately implied, as eye witnessing was a necessary qualification for apostleship: compare Peter's own speeches, Acts 1:21, 22; 2:32; 10:39. That is why the Hebrews did not accept Paul as an apostle of the Messiah, so Paul went to the Gentiles.
And elder is to feed the flock promptly and heartily, without selfish motive of gain seeking, as the Israelites gave their services willing-heartedly to the sanctuary. It is important for shepherds - pastors - to realize that they lead Y’Shua' sheep. He is the Shepherd, He is the Overseer, the shepherd doesn't work for the sheep, and he works for the Chief Shepherd.
We are proud of our humility, vain of our meekness; and, putting on the saintliest look; we wonder whether all around are not admiring us for our lowliness. True humility is shown by our ability to cast our care upon G-d. It is proud presumption to take things into our own worry and care about things that G-d has promised to take care of (Matthew 5:31-34).
Called 'Christian'
[1 Peter 4:16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, …
Christian was the name given in contempt first at Antioch. Acts 11:26; 26:28; the only three places where the term occurs. At first believers had no distinctive name, but were called among themselves "brethren," Acts 6:3; "disciples," Acts 6:1; "those of the way," Acts 9:2; "saints," Ro mans 1:7; by the Jews (who denied that Y’Shua was the Messiah, and so would never invent the name Christian), in contempt, "Nazarenes." At Antioch, where first idolatrous Gentiles (Cornelius, Acts 10:1, 2, was not an idolater, but a proselyte) were converted, and wide missionary work began, they could be no longer looked on as a Jewish sect, and so the Gentiles designated them by the new name "Christians." The rise of the new name marked a new era in the Church's life, a new stage of its development, namely, its missions to the Gentiles. The idle and witty people of Antioch, we know from heathen writers, were famous for inventing nicknames. The date of this Epistle must have been when this had become the generally recognized designation among Gentiles (it is never applied by Christians to each other, as it was in after ages.--an undersigned proof that the New Testament was composed when it professes). When the name exposed one to reproach and suffering, though not seemingly as yet to systematic persecution.
Christian was the name given in contempt first at Antioch. Acts 11:26; 26:28; the only three places where the term occurs. At first believers had no distinctive name, but were called among themselves "brethren," Acts 6:3; "disciples," Acts 6:1; "those of the way," Acts 9:2; "saints," Ro mans 1:7; by the Jews (who denied that Y’Shua was the Messiah, and so would never invent the name Christian), in contempt, "Nazarenes." At Antioch, where first idolatrous Gentiles (Cornelius, Acts 10:1, 2, was not an idolater, but a proselyte) were converted, and wide missionary work began, they could be no longer looked on as a Jewish sect, and so the Gentiles designated them by the new name "Christians." The rise of the new name marked a new era in the Church's life, a new stage of its development, namely, its missions to the Gentiles. The idle and witty people of Antioch, we know from heathen writers, were famous for inventing nicknames. The date of this Epistle must have been when this had become the generally recognized designation among Gentiles (it is never applied by Christians to each other, as it was in after ages.--an undersigned proof that the New Testament was composed when it professes). When the name exposed one to reproach and suffering, though not seemingly as yet to systematic persecution.
Suffering With Patients
[1 Peter 4:1] Forasmuch then as HaMashiach hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
In the last days, Believers should have an attitude of commitment. We must bear our trials, notwithstanding our persecutions, following the example of our Savior. Peter would have us pure and harmless, patient and submissive, faithful in the performance of our duties, and confidently looking forward to the time when we should be delivered.
Having the same mind of suffering with patient willingness what G-d wills us to suffer. Y’Shua communicated the same idea when He told us that anyone who would come after Him must take up his cross and follow (Matthew 16:24). Taking up the cross-meant that you were committed and not looking back!
Arm yourself with the same mind: Many of us are defeated in our battle against sin because we refuse to sacrifice anything in the battle. We only want victory if it comes easily to us. Y’Shua called us to have the kind of attitude that would sacrifice in the battle against sin (Matthew 5:29-30).
G-d calls us to have is nothing isn't greater than the commitment Y’Shua had in enduring suffering for our salvation. In the last days, we need to have a commitment to G-d that will endure through great struggles.
Having a readiness to suffer in the cause of religion, a readiness to die as He had done this readiness to suffer and die, the apostle speaks of as amour, and having this is represented as being armed. Amour is put on for offensive or defensive purposes in war; and the idea of the apostle here is, that that state of mind when we are ready to meet with persecution and trial. When we are ready to die, will answer the purpose of amour in engaging in the conflicts and strife’s which pertain to us as Believers, and especially in meeting with persecutions and trials. We are to put on the same fortitude which the Y’Shua had, and this will be the best defense against our foes, and the best security of victory.
When a person has suffered physical persecution for the sake of Y’Shua, it almost always profoundly changes their outlook regarding sin and the pursuit of the lusts of the flesh. He is more likely to live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of G-d.
Many Believers who believe that Y’Shua is coming soon are basing when on prophecy charts and political events; fail to watchful of measuring our readiness for His coming. It is a profound, and foolish, waste of time for Believers to live like the world, and we must simply stop being double-minded and start living as Believers.
As we serve one another, we do it with the strength G-d provides, the ability which G-d supplies - so that to Him belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.
In the last days, Believers should have an attitude of commitment. We must bear our trials, notwithstanding our persecutions, following the example of our Savior. Peter would have us pure and harmless, patient and submissive, faithful in the performance of our duties, and confidently looking forward to the time when we should be delivered.
Having the same mind of suffering with patient willingness what G-d wills us to suffer. Y’Shua communicated the same idea when He told us that anyone who would come after Him must take up his cross and follow (Matthew 16:24). Taking up the cross-meant that you were committed and not looking back!
Arm yourself with the same mind: Many of us are defeated in our battle against sin because we refuse to sacrifice anything in the battle. We only want victory if it comes easily to us. Y’Shua called us to have the kind of attitude that would sacrifice in the battle against sin (Matthew 5:29-30).
G-d calls us to have is nothing isn't greater than the commitment Y’Shua had in enduring suffering for our salvation. In the last days, we need to have a commitment to G-d that will endure through great struggles.
Having a readiness to suffer in the cause of religion, a readiness to die as He had done this readiness to suffer and die, the apostle speaks of as amour, and having this is represented as being armed. Amour is put on for offensive or defensive purposes in war; and the idea of the apostle here is, that that state of mind when we are ready to meet with persecution and trial. When we are ready to die, will answer the purpose of amour in engaging in the conflicts and strife’s which pertain to us as Believers, and especially in meeting with persecutions and trials. We are to put on the same fortitude which the Y’Shua had, and this will be the best defense against our foes, and the best security of victory.
When a person has suffered physical persecution for the sake of Y’Shua, it almost always profoundly changes their outlook regarding sin and the pursuit of the lusts of the flesh. He is more likely to live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of G-d.
Many Believers who believe that Y’Shua is coming soon are basing when on prophecy charts and political events; fail to watchful of measuring our readiness for His coming. It is a profound, and foolish, waste of time for Believers to live like the world, and we must simply stop being double-minded and start living as Believers.
As we serve one another, we do it with the strength G-d provides, the ability which G-d supplies - so that to Him belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.
New Years Resolution
[Jer. 6:16] Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
Let us observe the metaphor, a traveler is going to a particular city; he comes to a place where the road divides into several paths, he is afraid of going astray; he stops short,-endeavors to find out the right path: he cannot fix his choice. At last, he sees another traveler; he inquires of him, gets proper directions-proceeds on his journey-arrives at the desired place-and reposes after his fatigue.
The image from travelers’ who have lost their road, stopping and inquiring which is the right way on which they once had been, but from which they have wandered.
Old paths of idolatry and apostasy are the modern way. The worship of G-d is the old way. Evil is not coeval with good, but a modern decadence from good.
The soul needs rest; it can only find this by walking in the good way.
The good way is that which has been trodden by the Believers from the beginning: it is the old way, the way of faith and holiness. BELIEVE, LOVE, OBEY, be holy, and be happy. This is the way; let us inquire for it, and walk in it.
If one chooses another way, walked over the precipice, and fell into the bottomless pit, where, instead of rest, they find G-d answer:
[19] Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto My Words, nor to My Law, but rejected it.
I am not one to make New Year resolutions, but ran across this during my studies. It all comes down to the choices we make as to which path we choose to take.
Let us observe the metaphor, a traveler is going to a particular city; he comes to a place where the road divides into several paths, he is afraid of going astray; he stops short,-endeavors to find out the right path: he cannot fix his choice. At last, he sees another traveler; he inquires of him, gets proper directions-proceeds on his journey-arrives at the desired place-and reposes after his fatigue.
The image from travelers’ who have lost their road, stopping and inquiring which is the right way on which they once had been, but from which they have wandered.
Old paths of idolatry and apostasy are the modern way. The worship of G-d is the old way. Evil is not coeval with good, but a modern decadence from good.
The soul needs rest; it can only find this by walking in the good way.
The good way is that which has been trodden by the Believers from the beginning: it is the old way, the way of faith and holiness. BELIEVE, LOVE, OBEY, be holy, and be happy. This is the way; let us inquire for it, and walk in it.
If one chooses another way, walked over the precipice, and fell into the bottomless pit, where, instead of rest, they find G-d answer:
[19] Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto My Words, nor to My Law, but rejected it.
I am not one to make New Year resolutions, but ran across this during my studies. It all comes down to the choices we make as to which path we choose to take.
Lower Cholesterol
Day 1 menu
Breakfast
1 cup cooked oatmeal, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cinnamon and chopped walnuts
1 banana
1 cup skim milk
Lunch
1 cup low-fat (1 percent or lower) plain yogurt with 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed
1/2 cup peach halves
5 Melba toast crackers
1 cup raw broccoli and cauliflower
2 tablespoons low-fat cream cheese, plain or vegetable flavor (as a spread for crackers or vegetable dip)
Sparkling water
Supper
Grilled turkey burger (4 ounces) with a whole-grain bun
1/2 cup green beans with toasted almonds
2 cups mixed salad greens
2 tablespoons low-fat salad dressing
1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
1 cup skim milk
1 small orange
Snack
1 cup skim milk
9 animal crackers
Day 1 nutrient analysis
Calories 1,637
Protein 85 g
Carbohydrate 245 g
Total fat 43 g
Saturated fat 9 g
Monounsaturated fat 14 g
Cholesterol 101 mg
Sodium 1,545 mg
Fiber 30 g
Potassium 4,290 mg
Calcium 1,887 mg
Day 2 menu
Breakfast
2 whole-wheat pancakes, 4-inch diameter, topped with 3/4 cup blueberries
3/4 cup calcium-fortified orange juice
1 cup skim milk
Lunch
1 whole-wheat pita stuffed with 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce, 1/2 cup sliced tomato, 1/4 cup sliced cucumber, 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese and 1 tablespoon reduced-fat ranch dressing
1 kiwi
1 cup skim milk
Supper
Oriental chicken (5 ounces) with braised pineapple ring
1 cup brown rice with 1 tablespoon chopped dried apricots
1 cup steamed broccoli
4 ounces red wine or concord grape juice
Snack
3 graham cracker squares
1 cup fat-free frozen yogurt
Day 2 nutrient analysis
Calories 1,757
Protein 89 g
Carbohydrate 288 g
Total fat 22 g
Saturated fat 7 g
Monounsaturated fat 6 g
Cholesterol 119 mg
Sodium 1,966 mg
Fiber 29 g
Potassium 3,876 mg
Calcium 1,338 mg
On both days, if you're thirsty, drink water as a calorie-free way to supplement your diet.
Breakfast
1 cup cooked oatmeal, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cinnamon and chopped walnuts
1 banana
1 cup skim milk
Lunch
1 cup low-fat (1 percent or lower) plain yogurt with 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed
1/2 cup peach halves
5 Melba toast crackers
1 cup raw broccoli and cauliflower
2 tablespoons low-fat cream cheese, plain or vegetable flavor (as a spread for crackers or vegetable dip)
Sparkling water
Supper
Grilled turkey burger (4 ounces) with a whole-grain bun
1/2 cup green beans with toasted almonds
2 cups mixed salad greens
2 tablespoons low-fat salad dressing
1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
1 cup skim milk
1 small orange
Snack
1 cup skim milk
9 animal crackers
Day 1 nutrient analysis
Calories 1,637
Protein 85 g
Carbohydrate 245 g
Total fat 43 g
Saturated fat 9 g
Monounsaturated fat 14 g
Cholesterol 101 mg
Sodium 1,545 mg
Fiber 30 g
Potassium 4,290 mg
Calcium 1,887 mg
Day 2 menu
Breakfast
2 whole-wheat pancakes, 4-inch diameter, topped with 3/4 cup blueberries
3/4 cup calcium-fortified orange juice
1 cup skim milk
Lunch
1 whole-wheat pita stuffed with 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce, 1/2 cup sliced tomato, 1/4 cup sliced cucumber, 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese and 1 tablespoon reduced-fat ranch dressing
1 kiwi
1 cup skim milk
Supper
Oriental chicken (5 ounces) with braised pineapple ring
1 cup brown rice with 1 tablespoon chopped dried apricots
1 cup steamed broccoli
4 ounces red wine or concord grape juice
Snack
3 graham cracker squares
1 cup fat-free frozen yogurt
Day 2 nutrient analysis
Calories 1,757
Protein 89 g
Carbohydrate 288 g
Total fat 22 g
Saturated fat 7 g
Monounsaturated fat 6 g
Cholesterol 119 mg
Sodium 1,966 mg
Fiber 29 g
Potassium 3,876 mg
Calcium 1,338 mg
On both days, if you're thirsty, drink water as a calorie-free way to supplement your diet.
Individual Responsibility
RESPONSIBILITY calls for ACCOUNTABILITY. We must understand that without responsibility there is no accountability, and without accountability there can be no responsibility. These two concepts are inseparably tied together. One should not talk of responsibilities apart from accountability. There is no such thing!
Accountability suggests "a day of reckoning”. This is when one who has been entrusted with responsibilities must give an account to the authoritative source
(G-d). The scriptures call this THE JUDGMENT.
The New Testament is filled with this teaching. In the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30, Y’Shua taught the great lesson of stewardship. We are impressed with the fact that a man, before going into another country, called his servants together and distributed his goods. "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one. It becomes evident from the reading that this man expected his servants to do something with the talents rendered to them. "Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and makes a RECKONING with them”, (v. 19). Remember the one with only one talent, he buried it – sat on it and did nothing of what the master had given him to be responsible for.
The L-rd was pleased with those who performed adequately, but was angry at the slothful servant who had failed in his responsibility. The L-rd cast out the unprofitable servant!
It is obvious from this parable that our L-rd is teaching responsibility according to ability, coupled with the idea of accountability. He held these servants responsible for what had been entrusted to them, individually, relative to their ability.
All that we have whether it is a house, yard, car, or pets and people in our lives we are held accountable to do our very best with what was given us. If not it can be all taken away like the man with only one talent.
There was a day of reckoning when the master returned and called his servants to him. He demanded an accounting from each servant as to what was accomplished while he was in another country. This parable is not difficult to understand, and most Bible students agree that we have a case of individual responsibility here.
In a similar parable, the Parable of the Pounds, Y’Shua taught the same principles. Read Luke 19:11-27. Here, we see servants charged with responsibility, which led to accountability, terminating in reckoning. Again, there is no "church" responsibility or accountability, only individual.
Let’s not forget He also told them to be a wise as serpents, while being harmless as doves. And He told story after story of being wise stewards and of being held accountable for what we do with the things we are given. Paul writes in 1Timothy 5:8 that he who does not take care of his own household is worse than an unbeliever, or an infidel!
Matt. 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve
G-d and mammon.
Here is another responsibility, we are to use G-d’s money wisely, Matt. 6:19-21 says. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Has money become your idol, do you lack trusting the Father to provide?
Are you taking good care of what the Father has given you?
It is never too late to change the patterns you have fell into and become good stewards.Or come along side of another and help them make life choices.
Accountability suggests "a day of reckoning”. This is when one who has been entrusted with responsibilities must give an account to the authoritative source
(G-d). The scriptures call this THE JUDGMENT.
The New Testament is filled with this teaching. In the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30, Y’Shua taught the great lesson of stewardship. We are impressed with the fact that a man, before going into another country, called his servants together and distributed his goods. "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one. It becomes evident from the reading that this man expected his servants to do something with the talents rendered to them. "Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and makes a RECKONING with them”, (v. 19). Remember the one with only one talent, he buried it – sat on it and did nothing of what the master had given him to be responsible for.
The L-rd was pleased with those who performed adequately, but was angry at the slothful servant who had failed in his responsibility. The L-rd cast out the unprofitable servant!
It is obvious from this parable that our L-rd is teaching responsibility according to ability, coupled with the idea of accountability. He held these servants responsible for what had been entrusted to them, individually, relative to their ability.
All that we have whether it is a house, yard, car, or pets and people in our lives we are held accountable to do our very best with what was given us. If not it can be all taken away like the man with only one talent.
There was a day of reckoning when the master returned and called his servants to him. He demanded an accounting from each servant as to what was accomplished while he was in another country. This parable is not difficult to understand, and most Bible students agree that we have a case of individual responsibility here.
In a similar parable, the Parable of the Pounds, Y’Shua taught the same principles. Read Luke 19:11-27. Here, we see servants charged with responsibility, which led to accountability, terminating in reckoning. Again, there is no "church" responsibility or accountability, only individual.
Let’s not forget He also told them to be a wise as serpents, while being harmless as doves. And He told story after story of being wise stewards and of being held accountable for what we do with the things we are given. Paul writes in 1Timothy 5:8 that he who does not take care of his own household is worse than an unbeliever, or an infidel!
Matt. 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve
G-d and mammon.
Here is another responsibility, we are to use G-d’s money wisely, Matt. 6:19-21 says. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Has money become your idol, do you lack trusting the Father to provide?
Are you taking good care of what the Father has given you?
It is never too late to change the patterns you have fell into and become good stewards.Or come along side of another and help them make life choices.
Franklin Reality Model
All humans have four basic categories of needs: A person's system of beliefs constitutes that person's philosophy. Any guiding principle that provides a sense of certainty about meaning and direction in life meets the definition of a belief. Beliefs act as a person's prearranged, organized filters to his perceptions of the world. Humans form beliefs early in their lives because they are necessary for human survival. People make observations and draw conclusions that should serve them later. Any unhealthy addictions like overeating, drinking, or smoking, that people develop as any behavior that produces short-term pleasure at the expense of long-term pain to the addict or those around the addict. Rules about what his Behavior should be in a given situation and act accordingly. He then observes the Results he produces and the Feedback given to his brain, which must determine whether the belief satisfied the believer's fundamental Needs. If the answer is "Yes," the belief gets reinforced. Otherwise, the belief erodes.
One of the natural laws this model reveals states that results take time to measure. History offers lessons to those willing to learn them. Placing widely practiced principles of the past onto the Belief Window of the Reality Model and then testing them intellectually provide instant lessons and insight into how ideas and philosophy influence history. Likewise, one can test one's Governing Values to learn whether they affirm or deny one's own unique Needs as a human being over time.
Four basic needs are to live (survival), to love and be loved, to experience variety, and to feel important.
Live
Love/be loved
Feel important > Core intentions > Actions > Results
Variety
To meet your basic need each day it has to pass through your core intentions.
Example: my need today, is to feel important to the Father in being used for His work and my intention is to pass on what I learn.
Now what action or behavior would I do to accomplish this? Take the time to do the research that I can pass on the knowledge.
After my actions comes the result over a period of time. Did you receive the information and understand it? If not maybe I need to reexamine my actions, or maybe I have to change my core intention, or rethink what my basic need was, to get my basic need meet.
One can use this model for self, or use it to understand another’s need and take the steps to help them to meet it.
David's Resolution
Ps.101 It is an excellent plan or model for the good government of a church, or the keeping up of virtue and piety, and, by that means, good order, in it: but it is applicable to private families; it is the householder's psalm. One should teach, and admonish, and engage themselves and one another to walk by the rule of it that peace may be upon them and
G-d's presence with them.
[1] I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
I will praise thee, O L-rd, for Thy mercy and justice, which Thou hast so eminently discovered in the government of the world, and of Thy people; and I will make it my care to copy Thee herein.
When G-d in His providence exercises us with a mixture of mercy and judgment it is our duty to sing, and sing unto Him, both of the one and of the other; we must be suitably affected with both, and make suitable acknowledgments to G-d for both.
Whatever our outward condition is, whether joyful or sorrowful, still we must give glory to G-d, and sing praises to Him; neither the laughter of a prosperous condition nor the tears of an afflicted condition must put us out of tune for sacred songs.
[2] I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
G-d's Law prescribes a perfect way of life; in this perfect way, David has professed to walk, and David must act wisely in order to walk in it. “I can neither walk in this way, nor grow wise unto salvation, unless Thou come unto me by thy grace and Spirit; for without Thee I can do nothing.”
It is easier for most men to walk with a perfect heart in the Church, or even in the world, than in their own families. How many are as meek as lambs among others, when at home they are wasps or tigers! The man who, in the midst of family provocations, maintains a Christian character, being meek, gentle, and long-suffering to his wife, his children, has got a perfect heart, and adorns the doctrine of G-d his Savior in all things.
[3] I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
“I will undertake no unjust wars; will enter into no sinful alliances; and what would lead me away from righteousness and truth, I will never set before my eyes.”
It is the character of a good man that he shuts his eyes from seeing evil, Isaiah 33:15. "Nay, I hate the work of those that turn aside from the paths of equity (Job 31:7), not only I avoid it, but I abhor it; it shall not cleave to me. If any blot of injustice should come on my hands, it shall be washed off quickly."
David’s further resolution was not to keep bad servants, nor to employ those about him that were vicious. David will not countenance them, nor show them any favor, lest thereby he should harden them in their wickedness, and encourage others to do like them. David will not converse with them himself, nor admit them into the company of his other employees, lest they should spread the infection of sin in his family. He will not confide in them, nor put them in power under him; for those who hated to be reformed would certainly hinder every thing that is good.
[4] A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Rash and headstrong men shall not be employed by David.
“I will give no countenance to sinners of any kind; and whatever is evil shall be an object of my abhorrence. A froward heart (one that delights to be cross and perverse) shall depart from me, as not fit for society, the bond of which is love. I will not know," that is, "I will have no acquaintance or conversation, if I can help it, with such a wicked person; for a little of the leaven of malice and wickedness will leaven the whole lump.
I will give no countenance to sinners of any kind; and whatever is evil shall be an object of my abhorrence.”
[5] Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
With slanderers, and those who take a pleasure in wounding their neighbor’s reputation secretly: All flatterers and time-servers, and those who by insinuations and false accusations endeavor to supplant the upright, that they may obtain their offices for themselves or their dependants, will David consider as enemies to the state, and will abominate, and expel them from his court.
He who slanders ruins both himself and him who hear him; and him who are slandered, for this is often the case; the innocent are ruined by detraction.
With haughty, conceited, ambitious people, none do more mischief in a family, in a court, in a church, for only by pride comes contention. “Therefore him that has a high look and a proud heart will I not suffer; I will have no patience with those that are still grasping at all preferment’s, who sticks at nothing to gain it; and one who behaves himself haughtily and insolently in his office. It is certain that they do not aim at doing well, but only at aggrandizing themselves and their families." G-d resists the proud, and so will David.
He that tells lies shall not tarry in David’s sight, but shall be expelled the house with indignation. Herein David was a man after G-d's own heart, for a proud look and a lying tongue are things which G-d hates; and he was also a type of Messiah, who will, in the great day, banish from his presence all that love and make a lie, Revelation 22:15.
[6] Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
These faithful ones his eyes shall be upon, to discover them and find them out; for they were modest, lived retired in the land, in the country, out of the way of it. He that walks in a perfect way, that makes conscience of what he says and does, shall serve David.
[7] He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
This was a good resolution of David's; but either he did not keep to it or else his judgment was imposed upon when he made Ahithophel his right hand. It should be the care and endeavor of all masters of families, for their own sakes and their children's, to take such servants into their families as they have reason to hope fear G-d.
[8] I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
“All that are discovered and convicted; the Law shall have its course against them." He would do his utmost to destroy all the wicked, so that there might be none left that were notoriously wicked.
That which Davie aimed at was not only the securing of his own government and the peace of the country, but the honor of G-d in the purity of his church, “That I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the L-rd.” Not Jerusalem only, but the whole land, was the city of the L-rd; so is the believer’s church. It is the interest of the city of the L-rd to be purged from wicked doers, who both blemish it and weaken it; and it is therefore the duty of all to do what they can, in their places, towards so good a work, and to be zealously affected in it.
In reference to the Church: The city, the seat of government, the place of G-d's altars, must be kept pure. There must be a thorough, a radical reform. No corruption or abuse, either in things political, domestic, or religious, shall be tolerated. All must be holy, as he who has called us is holy. This was a reformation according to G-d's word; not according to the caprice of the multitude.
G-d's presence with them.
[1] I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
I will praise thee, O L-rd, for Thy mercy and justice, which Thou hast so eminently discovered in the government of the world, and of Thy people; and I will make it my care to copy Thee herein.
When G-d in His providence exercises us with a mixture of mercy and judgment it is our duty to sing, and sing unto Him, both of the one and of the other; we must be suitably affected with both, and make suitable acknowledgments to G-d for both.
Whatever our outward condition is, whether joyful or sorrowful, still we must give glory to G-d, and sing praises to Him; neither the laughter of a prosperous condition nor the tears of an afflicted condition must put us out of tune for sacred songs.
[2] I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
G-d's Law prescribes a perfect way of life; in this perfect way, David has professed to walk, and David must act wisely in order to walk in it. “I can neither walk in this way, nor grow wise unto salvation, unless Thou come unto me by thy grace and Spirit; for without Thee I can do nothing.”
It is easier for most men to walk with a perfect heart in the Church, or even in the world, than in their own families. How many are as meek as lambs among others, when at home they are wasps or tigers! The man who, in the midst of family provocations, maintains a Christian character, being meek, gentle, and long-suffering to his wife, his children, has got a perfect heart, and adorns the doctrine of G-d his Savior in all things.
[3] I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
“I will undertake no unjust wars; will enter into no sinful alliances; and what would lead me away from righteousness and truth, I will never set before my eyes.”
It is the character of a good man that he shuts his eyes from seeing evil, Isaiah 33:15. "Nay, I hate the work of those that turn aside from the paths of equity (Job 31:7), not only I avoid it, but I abhor it; it shall not cleave to me. If any blot of injustice should come on my hands, it shall be washed off quickly."
David’s further resolution was not to keep bad servants, nor to employ those about him that were vicious. David will not countenance them, nor show them any favor, lest thereby he should harden them in their wickedness, and encourage others to do like them. David will not converse with them himself, nor admit them into the company of his other employees, lest they should spread the infection of sin in his family. He will not confide in them, nor put them in power under him; for those who hated to be reformed would certainly hinder every thing that is good.
[4] A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Rash and headstrong men shall not be employed by David.
“I will give no countenance to sinners of any kind; and whatever is evil shall be an object of my abhorrence. A froward heart (one that delights to be cross and perverse) shall depart from me, as not fit for society, the bond of which is love. I will not know," that is, "I will have no acquaintance or conversation, if I can help it, with such a wicked person; for a little of the leaven of malice and wickedness will leaven the whole lump.
I will give no countenance to sinners of any kind; and whatever is evil shall be an object of my abhorrence.”
[5] Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
With slanderers, and those who take a pleasure in wounding their neighbor’s reputation secretly: All flatterers and time-servers, and those who by insinuations and false accusations endeavor to supplant the upright, that they may obtain their offices for themselves or their dependants, will David consider as enemies to the state, and will abominate, and expel them from his court.
He who slanders ruins both himself and him who hear him; and him who are slandered, for this is often the case; the innocent are ruined by detraction.
With haughty, conceited, ambitious people, none do more mischief in a family, in a court, in a church, for only by pride comes contention. “Therefore him that has a high look and a proud heart will I not suffer; I will have no patience with those that are still grasping at all preferment’s, who sticks at nothing to gain it; and one who behaves himself haughtily and insolently in his office. It is certain that they do not aim at doing well, but only at aggrandizing themselves and their families." G-d resists the proud, and so will David.
He that tells lies shall not tarry in David’s sight, but shall be expelled the house with indignation. Herein David was a man after G-d's own heart, for a proud look and a lying tongue are things which G-d hates; and he was also a type of Messiah, who will, in the great day, banish from his presence all that love and make a lie, Revelation 22:15.
[6] Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
These faithful ones his eyes shall be upon, to discover them and find them out; for they were modest, lived retired in the land, in the country, out of the way of it. He that walks in a perfect way, that makes conscience of what he says and does, shall serve David.
[7] He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
This was a good resolution of David's; but either he did not keep to it or else his judgment was imposed upon when he made Ahithophel his right hand. It should be the care and endeavor of all masters of families, for their own sakes and their children's, to take such servants into their families as they have reason to hope fear G-d.
[8] I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
“All that are discovered and convicted; the Law shall have its course against them." He would do his utmost to destroy all the wicked, so that there might be none left that were notoriously wicked.
That which Davie aimed at was not only the securing of his own government and the peace of the country, but the honor of G-d in the purity of his church, “That I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the L-rd.” Not Jerusalem only, but the whole land, was the city of the L-rd; so is the believer’s church. It is the interest of the city of the L-rd to be purged from wicked doers, who both blemish it and weaken it; and it is therefore the duty of all to do what they can, in their places, towards so good a work, and to be zealously affected in it.
In reference to the Church: The city, the seat of government, the place of G-d's altars, must be kept pure. There must be a thorough, a radical reform. No corruption or abuse, either in things political, domestic, or religious, shall be tolerated. All must be holy, as he who has called us is holy. This was a reformation according to G-d's word; not according to the caprice of the multitude.
A reason, season or lifetime
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person..
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it for it is real, but only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life,
whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.
Angels exist, only sometimes they haven't got wings and we call them friends; you are one of them.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person..
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it for it is real, but only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life,
whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.
Angels exist, only sometimes they haven't got wings and we call them friends; you are one of them.
Smoke and Mirrors
Smoke And Mirrors, the father of spin is the Advisory!
He has described the public as a 'herd that needed to be led.' And this herd like thinking makes people "susceptible to leadership," from his fundamental saying to "control the masses without their knowing it," This happens with the people unaware that they are being manipulated.
We are the most conditioned, programmed beings the world has ever known. Not only are our thoughts and attitudes continually being shaped and molded; our very awareness of the whole design seems like it is being delicately and relentlessly erased.
The doors of our perception are carefully and precisely keeping pace.
If everybody believes something, it's probably wrong. I call that Conventional Wisdom. This is used with worldly products and within the body of believers, let the Preacher/Teacher do all the studying. This saves believers the trouble of researching the subjects on their own, especially on topics about which they know very little, unless you have done the research yourself, you won't be able to tell the difference. Mob psychology must focus on emotion, not facts. Since the mob is incapable of rational thought, motivation must be based not on logic but on presentation. Words are very carefully chosen for their emotional impact.
1. Trigger words are repeated all through the text, (When I was talking to G-d --)
2. It's basic word association (Scriptural word, but not actually the Scripture.)
3. Form is everything and substance just a passing myth. (Substance of His Word).
4. Speak in glittering generalities using emotionally positive words when covering something up, don't use plain English; stall for time; distract.
(Sickness – not a drunkard, or pre-marital sex not a fornicator.}
5. Get endorsements from celebrities, churches, street people - anyone who has no expertise in the subject at hand. (Do you think it is alright if we ---?)
6. When minimizing outrage, don't say anything memorable, point out the benefits of what just happened, and avoid moral issues. (Don’t step on people toes now.)
7. Dehumanize the student from thinking by labeling. (What would you know about it; for if the pastor, deacon, bishop, prophetesses said it than it must be so.)
The advisory has blind us from what the Father wanted His body to be, we have become a ‘good feeling, fellowship, social group that summarizes the Word without actually reading, teaching the Word. We are looking for signs and wonders, miracles if you please, more than obedience, instruction, and intimacy with Him found in His Word. We have missed the mark in masses, no longer are the altars being used where people cried out for the lost love ones. Let’s hurry and get this over so we can feed the flesh and talk about insufficient things.
Do you need to have your life values constantly spoon-fed to you, a necessary distraction to keep you from looking at reality, or trying to figure things out yourself by doing a little independent reading?
There's no question that as a body, we're getting dumber year by year. These activities allow access to our minds by "just anyone" - anyone who has an agenda, anyone with the resources this is the only life we get. Time is our total capital. Why waste it allowing our potential, our personality, and our values to be shaped, crafted, and limited according to the whims of the panderer?
There are many important issues that are crucial to our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being and they are all found it the Scriptures – the one place the advisory does not want you to go. ...Remember, if everybody knows something, that image has been bought and paid for, but at what price? Real knowledge takes a little effort, a little excavation down at least one level below what "everybody knows to find the truth."
He has described the public as a 'herd that needed to be led.' And this herd like thinking makes people "susceptible to leadership," from his fundamental saying to "control the masses without their knowing it," This happens with the people unaware that they are being manipulated.
We are the most conditioned, programmed beings the world has ever known. Not only are our thoughts and attitudes continually being shaped and molded; our very awareness of the whole design seems like it is being delicately and relentlessly erased.
The doors of our perception are carefully and precisely keeping pace.
If everybody believes something, it's probably wrong. I call that Conventional Wisdom. This is used with worldly products and within the body of believers, let the Preacher/Teacher do all the studying. This saves believers the trouble of researching the subjects on their own, especially on topics about which they know very little, unless you have done the research yourself, you won't be able to tell the difference. Mob psychology must focus on emotion, not facts. Since the mob is incapable of rational thought, motivation must be based not on logic but on presentation. Words are very carefully chosen for their emotional impact.
1. Trigger words are repeated all through the text, (When I was talking to G-d --)
2. It's basic word association (Scriptural word, but not actually the Scripture.)
3. Form is everything and substance just a passing myth. (Substance of His Word).
4. Speak in glittering generalities using emotionally positive words when covering something up, don't use plain English; stall for time; distract.
(Sickness – not a drunkard, or pre-marital sex not a fornicator.}
5. Get endorsements from celebrities, churches, street people - anyone who has no expertise in the subject at hand. (Do you think it is alright if we ---?)
6. When minimizing outrage, don't say anything memorable, point out the benefits of what just happened, and avoid moral issues. (Don’t step on people toes now.)
7. Dehumanize the student from thinking by labeling. (What would you know about it; for if the pastor, deacon, bishop, prophetesses said it than it must be so.)
The advisory has blind us from what the Father wanted His body to be, we have become a ‘good feeling, fellowship, social group that summarizes the Word without actually reading, teaching the Word. We are looking for signs and wonders, miracles if you please, more than obedience, instruction, and intimacy with Him found in His Word. We have missed the mark in masses, no longer are the altars being used where people cried out for the lost love ones. Let’s hurry and get this over so we can feed the flesh and talk about insufficient things.
Do you need to have your life values constantly spoon-fed to you, a necessary distraction to keep you from looking at reality, or trying to figure things out yourself by doing a little independent reading?
There's no question that as a body, we're getting dumber year by year. These activities allow access to our minds by "just anyone" - anyone who has an agenda, anyone with the resources this is the only life we get. Time is our total capital. Why waste it allowing our potential, our personality, and our values to be shaped, crafted, and limited according to the whims of the panderer?
There are many important issues that are crucial to our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being and they are all found it the Scriptures – the one place the advisory does not want you to go. ...Remember, if everybody knows something, that image has been bought and paid for, but at what price? Real knowledge takes a little effort, a little excavation down at least one level below what "everybody knows to find the truth."
I will not be inquired of by you
Then came the word of the L-rd unto Me, saying, Are you come to inquire of Me?
As I live, said the L-rd G-d, I will not be inquired of by you.
Thus said the L-rd G-d; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all the lands:
I fashioned for My name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, And I gave them My statutes, and showed them My judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them, and Me that they might know that I am the L-rd that sanctify them.
I have given you My chosen, to instruct you, have you followed their ways or adapted your own? Did I not set it all down in the Scriptures what I wanted done? Were you not adopted and grafted in to follow suit?
Now My Sabbaths are greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out My fury upon all that have not keep it sacred, to consume them, nevertheless mine eye spared you from destroying you, neither did I make an end of you.
I am the L-rd your G-d; walk in My statutes, and keep My judgments, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths; and you shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the L-rd your G-d. Notwithstanding your children rebelled against Me: they walked not in My statutes, neither kept My judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted My Sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out My fury upon them, to accomplish My anger against them.
And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that opens the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the L-rd. For when you offer your gifts, when you make your sons to pass through the fire, you pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be inquired of by you. No! As I live, said the L-rd G-d, I will not be inquired of by you.
And that which comes into your mind shall not be at all, that you say, As I live, said the L-rd G-d, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: And I will bring you out from the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against Me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn. As for you, rebels, go you, serve you every one his idols, and hereafter also, if you will not hearken unto Me: but pollute you My holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.
All that will serve Me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. I will accept you with your sweet savor, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein you have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. I will not be inquired of by you unless you are mine, and following My statues.
Moreover the word of the L-rd came unto Me, saying, Hear the word of the L-rd; Thus said the L-rd G-d; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the four corners shall be burned therein. And all flesh shall see that I the L-rd have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
As I live, said the L-rd G-d, I will not be inquired of by you.
Thus said the L-rd G-d; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all the lands:
I fashioned for My name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, And I gave them My statutes, and showed them My judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them, and Me that they might know that I am the L-rd that sanctify them.
I have given you My chosen, to instruct you, have you followed their ways or adapted your own? Did I not set it all down in the Scriptures what I wanted done? Were you not adopted and grafted in to follow suit?
Now My Sabbaths are greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out My fury upon all that have not keep it sacred, to consume them, nevertheless mine eye spared you from destroying you, neither did I make an end of you.
I am the L-rd your G-d; walk in My statutes, and keep My judgments, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths; and you shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the L-rd your G-d. Notwithstanding your children rebelled against Me: they walked not in My statutes, neither kept My judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted My Sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out My fury upon them, to accomplish My anger against them.
And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that opens the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the L-rd. For when you offer your gifts, when you make your sons to pass through the fire, you pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be inquired of by you. No! As I live, said the L-rd G-d, I will not be inquired of by you.
And that which comes into your mind shall not be at all, that you say, As I live, said the L-rd G-d, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: And I will bring you out from the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against Me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn. As for you, rebels, go you, serve you every one his idols, and hereafter also, if you will not hearken unto Me: but pollute you My holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.
All that will serve Me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. I will accept you with your sweet savor, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein you have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. I will not be inquired of by you unless you are mine, and following My statues.
Moreover the word of the L-rd came unto Me, saying, Hear the word of the L-rd; Thus said the L-rd G-d; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the four corners shall be burned therein. And all flesh shall see that I the L-rd have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
Marital Duties
[1 Peter 3:1-2] Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.[7] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
The heart of a godly wife will be submissive to her husband. This submission isn't a reward for the husband's good behavior; it is commanded by G-d as the proper order for the home. Their conduct should be such as would be adapted to lead their unbelieving husbands to embrace a religion whose happy influence was seen in the pure conduct of their wives. Feeling the need of leaning on one stronger than herself, the wife (especially if joined to an unbeliever) might be tempted, though only spiritually, to enter into that relation with another in which she ought to stand to "her own spouse.” An attachment to the woman who is a teacher might thus spring up, which, without being in the common sense spiritual adultery, would still weaken in its spiritual basis the married relation.
The discreet wife would choose first of all to persuade her husband to share with her in the things which lead to blessedness. But if this be impossible, let her then alone diligently press after virtue, in all things obeying him so as to do nothing at any time against his will, except in such things as are essential to virtue and salvation.
Yet, submission to authority can be totally consistent with equality in importance, dignity, and honor. Y’Shua was subject to both His parents and to G-d the Father, but was not lower than either of them. Thus, the command to wives to be subject to their husbands should never be taken to imply inferior personhood or spirituality, or lesser importance.
We submit to G-d appointed authority as our obligation before G-d, unless that authority directs us to sin. In that case, it is right to obey G-d rather than men (Acts 4:19-20).
Observe that wives are called to submit to their own husbands, not to men in general. Male headship is a principle of G-d for the home, not for society in general.
A wife's submission is a powerful expression of her trust in G-d. This kind of faith and obedience can accomplish great things, even without a word.
In the culture of the ancient world, it was almost unthinkable for a wife to adopt a different religion than her husband. Believing women who came to Y’Shua before their husbands needed instruction.
Wives may want to shape their husbands - either to Messiah or in Messiah - through their words. Peter reminds them that G-d's plan is that wives impact their husbands not through persuasive lectures, but through godly submission, chaste conduct, and the fear of G-d.
There is a sense in which a wife's efforts to shape her husband through her own words and efforts may hinder the power of G-d's working on the husband. It is much more effective it is to submit G-d's way, demonstrating trust in Him, and to let G-d have his way with the husband.
Fear means a reverential, towards our husbands, scrupulously pure, as opposed to the noisy, ambitious character of worldly women.
Do not let your adornment be merely outward: Peter does forbid all adornment. But for the godly woman, outward adornment is always in moderation, and her emphasis is always on inward adornment.
In the arranging the hair: In the world Peter lived in, women arranged and dyed their hair, they also wore wigs, especially blonde wigs, made with hair imported from Germany. All this adornment is merely outward. Peter does not forbid a woman fixing her hair, or wearing jewelry, any more than he forbids her wearing apparel (fine is not in the original). Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart: Real beauty comes from the hidden person of the heart, it isn't something you wear or primp for, but it is something you are.
The incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit: The inner beauty of a godly woman is incorruptible. This means that it does not decay or get worse with age. Instead, incorruptible beauty only gets better with age, and is of so much more value that the beauty that comes from the hair, jewelry, or clothing.
When women submit to their husbands, and when the do not put trust in their outward adornment, they are like the holy women of former times who trusted in G-d. They powerfully demonstrate their faith.
First, Sara obeyed Abraham, even when it was difficult and he was wrong (as in Genesis 12:10-20). Second, she honored Abraham by calling him lord. It is possible to obey someone without showing them the honor that is part of submission. True submission knows the place of both obedience and honor.
True submission, full of faith in G-d, has no room for fear or terror. It does well and leaves the result to G-d, not man.
The duty of husbands was to render all proper honor to their wives, and to live with them as fellow-heirs of salvation, that their prayers might not be hindered; implying,
1. That in the most important respects they were on equality;
2. That they would pray together, or that there would be family prayer; and,
3. That it was the duty of husband and wife so to live together that their prayers might ascend from united hearts and that it would be consistent for G-d to answer them.
5. Be of one mind; to have compassion; to love.
6. Never to render evil for evil, or railing for railing.
7. They were to remember the promises of length of days, and of honor, made to their spouse.
As to the weaker vessel: In this context, weaker speaks of the woman's relative physical weakness in comparison to men. Men aren't necessarily stronger spiritually than women are, but they are generally stronger physically. As Peter brought in the idea of the woman's feminine nature with the words the wife, he continues in appreciating the feminine nature and how a husband should respond to it a godly husband recognizes whatever limitations his wife has physically, and he does not expect more from her than is appropriate.
The heart of a godly husband dwell with the wife with understanding, giving honor to the wife, he abides with his wife. He doesn't merely share a house, but he truly lives with her.
He who loves his wife loves himself (Ephesians 5:28). The godly husband understands the essential unity G-d has established between husband and wife.
A godly husband undertakes the important job of understanding his wife. By knowing her well, he is able to demonstrate his love for her far more effectively. When a husband has this understanding, G-d directs him to use it, to dwell with his wife with understanding. He is supposed to take his understanding and apply it in daily life with his wife.
A godly husband knows how to make his wife feel honored. Though she submits to him, he takes care that she does not feel like she is an employee or under dictator.
This was a radical teaching in the world Peter lived in. In that ancient culture, a husband had absolute rights over his wife, and the wife had virtually no rights in the marriage. In the Roman world, if a man caught his wife in an act of adultery, he could kill her on the spot. But if a wife caught her husband, she could do nothing against him. All the duties and obligations in marriage were put on the wife. Peter's radical teaching is that the husband has G-d-ordained duties and obligations toward his wife.
A godly husband realizes that his spouse is not only his wife, but also his sister in Y’Shua. Part of their inheritance in the L-rd is only realized in their oneness as husband and wife. This reminds husbands that even though they have been given great authority within marriage, their wives are still equal to them in spiritual privilege and eternal importance: they are 'joint heirs.' The head (husband) cannot function with out the heart (wife).
The failure to live as a godly husband has spiritual consequences. It can and it will hinder prayer.
Most of us are willing to have one mind, as long as that one mind is my mind! But the one mind is to be the mind of Messiah (1 Corinthians 2:16). Our common mind is to be Y’Shua' mind.
The greatest challenge to our love for our mates comes when we are wronged. At those times, we are called to not return evil for evil, but to give a blessing instead. No dispute, argument, or personality conflict among believers should linger. Even if one gets out of line, the loving response of the other should keep the problem small and short-lived.
Do you have the heart to be a godly husband and a godly wife?
Enslavement
I was asked why I have such a phobia about being enslaved to another. If you owe someone, you become enslaved to the lender. Now I ask who wants to be a slave?
The Scriptures have much to say about borrowing and lending, basically you should avoid both situations, and live within your means. It is called discipline.
It says that money is the root of all evil – not that money is evil – but what people will do to get it and how they use it can be evil. We live in a time were we always ‘want’ material things, and the more we get, the more we want. Now it takes money to get all the excess luxuries so one may have to work overtime, take on two or three jobs to meet their wants. They say they don’t love money but now spend all their free time making it. And the more they make the more they spend and the deeper in debt they go.
Do you see a cycle going on here?
People have not trained themselves to live within their means so they take to borrowing for things they think they desperately need right now. “Oh, it is such a good deal.” But it can turn out to be another project that they don’t have the time anymore to do. And find out they didn’t need it that bad after all, for another great deal just came alone – and well of course they hadn’t paid off the last one so they must borrow the money again to get it.
Were are the righteous priorities? If we are spending, more time at work, that makes work number
1. Material things can become number one
2. Then somewhere along the line has to be family, so let’s call it number
3. For some people. I guess that leaves G-d as number
4. Now I ask you, is that the order it should be? Is not G-d to be number 1, family number 2, and work number 3? Yes, one must work to eat and care for his family, but if it takes away from spending time with the Father and quality time with family – it becomes out of order. Many things we could live without – look at the poor people and countries.
So why do I personally have a phobia about being enslaved to a lender; I learned it from my mother who learned it from her mother. “Stay debt free and owe no one, to say out of slavery.” This was one good moral I had hoped would be pass down from generation to generation. The Scriptures tell us about parents that could not meet their bills and had to sell their children to ‘work’ it off, now they became slaves. What a shame – only in that time it was not for luxuries but just the necessaries of food on the table and clothes on one’s back.
Your name in Scriptures meant a lot, if you had a good reputation you could settle a deal with a handshake. My name is important to me; I have built a reputation that I say what I mean and mean what I say. I do not borrow what I cannot pay back soon. It shows disrespect to a borrower or lender to stretch out a loan. Everyone has their own bill to pay to keep their name from dispute. I have a hard time understanding why other people don’t show the same respect – but what is one’s morals is not necessary another’s.
I work very hard and going without extras to stay free from that bondage. I must say as you get older your wants decrease, and calculation sets in, is it worth it or not. I wish to go out of this world debt free, leaving my children with fewer burdens; the meeting of my bills is not to be one of them. Who knows when your number is up? I almost died last summer – so there is no guaranty on how much time you have left. G-d says “get your house in order!”
Sometimes people borrow to their offspring to ‘help them out’, for they may have bad credit or no credit at all. If you use your name to get it, it becomes your bill, and if they don’t pay, it off it can damage your name not theirs.
Borrowing or using one’s name is not always a good thing, the heart is in the right place, but teaching them the principle of living is not. Everyone must learn to sink or swim, life teaches you many lessons, and some can be heartbreaking but necessary to learn to become all you were meant to be.
It is called chooses – if you made a bad choose get yourself out and learn from it to make better ones in the future. Helping them once may be necessary, but I see many parents doing it over and over, time after time for no lesson was learned here, except how to manipulate another to get what you want.
You cannot pass down a principle if you keep bailing your children out of crises they have put themselves into, they cannot learn to make the right chooses and set their priorities in order.
Bottom line:
Whether it is children, friends, banks, or credit cards – a borrower and lender you should not be. The only big loans I can foresee are when buying a house – and even then, one must live in one’s means to be sure to be able to make the house payments. We do not need that big roomy house, or fancy car – all in chooses and priorities.
May we learn from our mistakes and set our priorities in order.
Seasoned Warrior
The Scriptures have much to say about borrowing and lending, basically you should avoid both situations, and live within your means. It is called discipline.
It says that money is the root of all evil – not that money is evil – but what people will do to get it and how they use it can be evil. We live in a time were we always ‘want’ material things, and the more we get, the more we want. Now it takes money to get all the excess luxuries so one may have to work overtime, take on two or three jobs to meet their wants. They say they don’t love money but now spend all their free time making it. And the more they make the more they spend and the deeper in debt they go.
Do you see a cycle going on here?
People have not trained themselves to live within their means so they take to borrowing for things they think they desperately need right now. “Oh, it is such a good deal.” But it can turn out to be another project that they don’t have the time anymore to do. And find out they didn’t need it that bad after all, for another great deal just came alone – and well of course they hadn’t paid off the last one so they must borrow the money again to get it.
Were are the righteous priorities? If we are spending, more time at work, that makes work number
1. Material things can become number one
2. Then somewhere along the line has to be family, so let’s call it number
3. For some people. I guess that leaves G-d as number
4. Now I ask you, is that the order it should be? Is not G-d to be number 1, family number 2, and work number 3? Yes, one must work to eat and care for his family, but if it takes away from spending time with the Father and quality time with family – it becomes out of order. Many things we could live without – look at the poor people and countries.
So why do I personally have a phobia about being enslaved to a lender; I learned it from my mother who learned it from her mother. “Stay debt free and owe no one, to say out of slavery.” This was one good moral I had hoped would be pass down from generation to generation. The Scriptures tell us about parents that could not meet their bills and had to sell their children to ‘work’ it off, now they became slaves. What a shame – only in that time it was not for luxuries but just the necessaries of food on the table and clothes on one’s back.
Your name in Scriptures meant a lot, if you had a good reputation you could settle a deal with a handshake. My name is important to me; I have built a reputation that I say what I mean and mean what I say. I do not borrow what I cannot pay back soon. It shows disrespect to a borrower or lender to stretch out a loan. Everyone has their own bill to pay to keep their name from dispute. I have a hard time understanding why other people don’t show the same respect – but what is one’s morals is not necessary another’s.
I work very hard and going without extras to stay free from that bondage. I must say as you get older your wants decrease, and calculation sets in, is it worth it or not. I wish to go out of this world debt free, leaving my children with fewer burdens; the meeting of my bills is not to be one of them. Who knows when your number is up? I almost died last summer – so there is no guaranty on how much time you have left. G-d says “get your house in order!”
Sometimes people borrow to their offspring to ‘help them out’, for they may have bad credit or no credit at all. If you use your name to get it, it becomes your bill, and if they don’t pay, it off it can damage your name not theirs.
Borrowing or using one’s name is not always a good thing, the heart is in the right place, but teaching them the principle of living is not. Everyone must learn to sink or swim, life teaches you many lessons, and some can be heartbreaking but necessary to learn to become all you were meant to be.
It is called chooses – if you made a bad choose get yourself out and learn from it to make better ones in the future. Helping them once may be necessary, but I see many parents doing it over and over, time after time for no lesson was learned here, except how to manipulate another to get what you want.
You cannot pass down a principle if you keep bailing your children out of crises they have put themselves into, they cannot learn to make the right chooses and set their priorities in order.
Bottom line:
Whether it is children, friends, banks, or credit cards – a borrower and lender you should not be. The only big loans I can foresee are when buying a house – and even then, one must live in one’s means to be sure to be able to make the house payments. We do not need that big roomy house, or fancy car – all in chooses and priorities.
May we learn from our mistakes and set our priorities in order.
Seasoned Warrior
Eyewitnesses
[1 Peter 2:12] Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify G-d in the day of visitation.
[15] For so is the will of G-d, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
A good walk does not make us pious, but we must first be pious and believe before we attempt to lead a good course. Faith first receives from G-d, and then love given to our neighbors who are watching our every move.
They by whom you are surrounded, and who will certainly observe your conduct, they shall be eyewitnesses and shall behold on close inspection; as opposed to their ignorance of the true character of Believers, maybe judging you on mere hearsay or appearances. This kind of godly living makes our conduct honorable among those who don't know G-d yet. Though you can expect that they will speak against you as evildoers, they can still be brought to glorify G-d by seeing your godly conduct.
Neighbors form a high estimate of the G-d whom Believers worship, from the exemplary conduct of Believers themselves. We must do well in all things, not with a view to our own glory, but to the glory of G-d.
Put to silence of one’s neighbors is literally, to muzzle, to stop the mouth. Their ignorance is spiritual not having the knowledge of G-d, and therefore ignorant of the children of G-d, and misconstruing their acts, influenced by mere appearances, and ever ready to open their mouths, rather than their eyes and ears. Their ignorance should move the believer's pity, not his anger. They judge of things which they are incapable of judging through unbelief.
One needs to maintain such a living and walk that they shall have no charge against you, except touching your faith; and so their minds shall be favorably inclined towards Christianity. One of the best ways of meeting the accusations of our enemies is to lead a life of strict integrity. It is not easy for the wicked to reply to this argument.
That by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: Peter knows that our conduct is a way to defend the gospel. He knows that those who never read the Bible will read our lives, so it is by doing good that we put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
Honor all people, love the brotherhood and fear G-d.
[15] For so is the will of G-d, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
A good walk does not make us pious, but we must first be pious and believe before we attempt to lead a good course. Faith first receives from G-d, and then love given to our neighbors who are watching our every move.
They by whom you are surrounded, and who will certainly observe your conduct, they shall be eyewitnesses and shall behold on close inspection; as opposed to their ignorance of the true character of Believers, maybe judging you on mere hearsay or appearances. This kind of godly living makes our conduct honorable among those who don't know G-d yet. Though you can expect that they will speak against you as evildoers, they can still be brought to glorify G-d by seeing your godly conduct.
Neighbors form a high estimate of the G-d whom Believers worship, from the exemplary conduct of Believers themselves. We must do well in all things, not with a view to our own glory, but to the glory of G-d.
Put to silence of one’s neighbors is literally, to muzzle, to stop the mouth. Their ignorance is spiritual not having the knowledge of G-d, and therefore ignorant of the children of G-d, and misconstruing their acts, influenced by mere appearances, and ever ready to open their mouths, rather than their eyes and ears. Their ignorance should move the believer's pity, not his anger. They judge of things which they are incapable of judging through unbelief.
One needs to maintain such a living and walk that they shall have no charge against you, except touching your faith; and so their minds shall be favorably inclined towards Christianity. One of the best ways of meeting the accusations of our enemies is to lead a life of strict integrity. It is not easy for the wicked to reply to this argument.
That by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: Peter knows that our conduct is a way to defend the gospel. He knows that those who never read the Bible will read our lives, so it is by doing good that we put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
Honor all people, love the brotherhood and fear G-d.
Ghost Whisper
The Holy Ghost is the spiritual nature of Y’Shua, higher than the highest angels, and equal to G-d, He is the divine nature of Y’Shua. Possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting, He is our teacher, our Comforter, whom the Father has send in Y’Shua’s name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever was written in the Scriptures.
His job is to emphasize G-d's personality. He is liken on to a movement of air, a gentle breeze, a breath of nostrils or mouth.
The Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: sometimes referred to in a way which emphasizes His work and power. He is never referred to as a depersonalized force. One cannot blasphemy nor speak against the Holy Ghost and be forgiven!
Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, the spirit, the vital principal by which the body is animated, called your soul.
The Holy Ghost brings you the gift of a heavenly language to communicate with the Father, to pray without ceasing, in His perfect will to be done here on earth as in heaven. When doing so it also is building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the power of the Holy Ghost.
All creation calls as endless horizons frame the vast expanse of the three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Do you hear the Ghost whispering in your ear? Do you feel His presents surrounding you?
I find Him everywhere!
I have felt the wind of the Spirit blowing, and whispering my name.
I love to stand by the lake and feel the thundering breakers roar as He calms my soul.
I walk through golden fields as He points out the wheat from the tares.
Lying down beneath the stars, I feel His presence there, as I aimlessly try to count the stars.
In studying the Word, He guides my steps as He whispers the truths in the hidden mysteries, making clear to its meaning.
He has seen my tears fall through the falling rain, while comforting a broken heart.
I believe just like a child that the thief cometh to steal, to kill, and to destroy: but He came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly.
He promises to restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm have eaten.
Thank you, Father for Your Spirit to abound in us!
His job is to emphasize G-d's personality. He is liken on to a movement of air, a gentle breeze, a breath of nostrils or mouth.
The Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: sometimes referred to in a way which emphasizes His work and power. He is never referred to as a depersonalized force. One cannot blasphemy nor speak against the Holy Ghost and be forgiven!
Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, the spirit, the vital principal by which the body is animated, called your soul.
The Holy Ghost brings you the gift of a heavenly language to communicate with the Father, to pray without ceasing, in His perfect will to be done here on earth as in heaven. When doing so it also is building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the power of the Holy Ghost.
All creation calls as endless horizons frame the vast expanse of the three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Do you hear the Ghost whispering in your ear? Do you feel His presents surrounding you?
I find Him everywhere!
I have felt the wind of the Spirit blowing, and whispering my name.
I love to stand by the lake and feel the thundering breakers roar as He calms my soul.
I walk through golden fields as He points out the wheat from the tares.
Lying down beneath the stars, I feel His presence there, as I aimlessly try to count the stars.
In studying the Word, He guides my steps as He whispers the truths in the hidden mysteries, making clear to its meaning.
He has seen my tears fall through the falling rain, while comforting a broken heart.
I believe just like a child that the thief cometh to steal, to kill, and to destroy: but He came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly.
He promises to restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm have eaten.
Thank you, Father for Your Spirit to abound in us!
Shampoo Bottle
Hey ya'll!
Check your shampoo bottle label.
I don't know WHY I didn't figure this out sooner!
It's the shampoo I use in the shower!
When I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my whole body and
(duh!) printed very clearly on the shampoo label is this warning... FOR
EXTRA VOLUME AND BODY!
NO wonder I have been gaining weight!!!
Well! I have gotten rid of that shampoo and I am going to start using
Dawn dish soap instead.
Their label reads,
DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE.
Problem Solved!!!
If I don't answer the phone ...I'll be in the shower!!!
Check your shampoo bottle label.
I don't know WHY I didn't figure this out sooner!
It's the shampoo I use in the shower!
When I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my whole body and
(duh!) printed very clearly on the shampoo label is this warning... FOR
EXTRA VOLUME AND BODY!
NO wonder I have been gaining weight!!!
Well! I have gotten rid of that shampoo and I am going to start using
Dawn dish soap instead.
Their label reads,
DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE.
Problem Solved!!!
If I don't answer the phone ...I'll be in the shower!!!
Best of times/Worse of times
Ps. 112
1] Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
[2] His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
[3] Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
[4] Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
[5] A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
[6] Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
[7] He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
[8] His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
[9] He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
[10] The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
A call to us to praise G-d, for whatever glory is acknowledged to be on us comes from
G-d, and must return to Him; as He is our praise, so we are His. We have reason to praise the L-rd for we are the people in the world who fear Him and serve Him, and we are a happy people, both which are owing entirely to the grace of G-d.
We have the privileges of G-d's subjects, not who cry, L-rd, L-rd, but who are indeed well affected to His government.
We are to be honest and sincere in our professions and intentions.
We are to be both just and kind in all our dealings.
Whatever men think or say of us, G-d says that we are blessed; and His saying so makes them so!
The posterity of good person shall fare the better for our goodness, perhaps we ourselves shall not be so great in the world, nor make such a figure, as our seed after us shall for our sake; where the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. Let the children of godly parents value themselves upon it, and take heed of doing any thing to forfeit the blessing entailed upon the generation of the upright.
We shall be blessed with spiritual blessings, which are the true riches. ‘His wealth shall be in his house, for he must leave that to others; but his righteousness he himself shall have the comfort of to himself, it endures forever.’ Grace is better than gold, for it will outlast it. We shall have wealth and riches and in a prosperous condition and shall still hold fast our integrity.
Good people may be in affliction; the promise does not exempt them from that. They shall have their share in the common calamities of human life; but, when they sit in darkness, the L-rd shall be a light to them, Micah 7:8. They shall be supported and comforted under their troubles; their spirits shall be lightsome when their outward condition is clouded.
It is part of the character that we will use our discretion in managing our affairs, in getting and saving, that we may have to give. It may be understood of the affairs of our charity: We show favor and lend; but then it is with discretion, that our charity may not be misplaced.
He will guide his words with judgment; and there is nothing in which we have more occasions for wisdom than in the government of the tongue; blessed is he to whom G-d gives that wisdom. (Watch your words that you speak out.)
Satan and his instruments endeavor to move us, but our foundation is firm and we shall never be moved, at least not moved forever; if we are shaken for a time, yet we settle again quickly.
The memories of many a good person that is dead and gone is still blessed; but in heaven their remembrance shall be truly everlasting and the honor of their righteousness shall there endure forever, with the reward of it, in the crown of glory that fades not away. Those that are forgotten on earth, and despised, are remembered there, and honored, and their righteousness found unto praise, and honor, and glory (1 Peter 1:7); then, at furthest, shall the horn of a good person be exalted with honor.
It is the duty and interest of the people of G-d not to be afraid of evil tidings, not to be afraid of hearing bad news. When they do, not to be put into confusion by it and into an amazing expectation of worse and worse, but whatever happens, whatever threatens, to be able to say, ‘None of these things move me, neither will I fear, though the earth be removed.’
The fixedness of the heart is a sovereign remedy against the disquieting fear of evil tidings. If we keep our thoughts composed, and ourselves masters of them, our wills resigned to the holy will of G-d, our temper sedate, and our spirits even, under all the unevenness of Providence, we are well fortified against the agitations of the fearful. By faith, we must cast anchor in the promise, in the Word of G-d, and so return to him and repose in him as our rest.
It will complete the satisfaction of the saints, when they shall look back upon their troubles and pressures, and be able to say that when he had recounted the persecutions he endured, but out of them ‘the L-rd delivered me.’
The wicked shall see the righteous in prosperity and honor and shall be grieved. It will vex them to see their innocence cleared and their low estate regarded, and those whom they hated and despised, and whose ruin they sought and hoped to see, the favorites’ of Heaven, and advanced to have dominion over them (Psalms 49:14); this will make them gnash with their teeth and pine away. This is often fulfilled in this world. The happiness of the saints is the envy of the wicked, and that envy is the rottenness of their bones. But it will most fully be accomplished in the other world, when it shall make damned sinners gnash with their teeth, to see Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in him bosom, to see all the prophets in the kingdom of G-d and themselves thrust out. Their own disappointment: The desire of the wicked shall perish. Their desire was wholly to the world and the flesh, and they ruled over them; and therefore, when these perish, their joy is gone, and their expectations from them are cut off, to their everlasting confusion; their hope is as a spider's web.
This is the best of times for Believers and the worse of times for unbelievers!
1] Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
[2] His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
[3] Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
[4] Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
[5] A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
[6] Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
[7] He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
[8] His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
[9] He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
[10] The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
A call to us to praise G-d, for whatever glory is acknowledged to be on us comes from
G-d, and must return to Him; as He is our praise, so we are His. We have reason to praise the L-rd for we are the people in the world who fear Him and serve Him, and we are a happy people, both which are owing entirely to the grace of G-d.
We have the privileges of G-d's subjects, not who cry, L-rd, L-rd, but who are indeed well affected to His government.
We are to be honest and sincere in our professions and intentions.
We are to be both just and kind in all our dealings.
Whatever men think or say of us, G-d says that we are blessed; and His saying so makes them so!
The posterity of good person shall fare the better for our goodness, perhaps we ourselves shall not be so great in the world, nor make such a figure, as our seed after us shall for our sake; where the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned. Let the children of godly parents value themselves upon it, and take heed of doing any thing to forfeit the blessing entailed upon the generation of the upright.
We shall be blessed with spiritual blessings, which are the true riches. ‘His wealth shall be in his house, for he must leave that to others; but his righteousness he himself shall have the comfort of to himself, it endures forever.’ Grace is better than gold, for it will outlast it. We shall have wealth and riches and in a prosperous condition and shall still hold fast our integrity.
Good people may be in affliction; the promise does not exempt them from that. They shall have their share in the common calamities of human life; but, when they sit in darkness, the L-rd shall be a light to them, Micah 7:8. They shall be supported and comforted under their troubles; their spirits shall be lightsome when their outward condition is clouded.
It is part of the character that we will use our discretion in managing our affairs, in getting and saving, that we may have to give. It may be understood of the affairs of our charity: We show favor and lend; but then it is with discretion, that our charity may not be misplaced.
He will guide his words with judgment; and there is nothing in which we have more occasions for wisdom than in the government of the tongue; blessed is he to whom G-d gives that wisdom. (Watch your words that you speak out.)
Satan and his instruments endeavor to move us, but our foundation is firm and we shall never be moved, at least not moved forever; if we are shaken for a time, yet we settle again quickly.
The memories of many a good person that is dead and gone is still blessed; but in heaven their remembrance shall be truly everlasting and the honor of their righteousness shall there endure forever, with the reward of it, in the crown of glory that fades not away. Those that are forgotten on earth, and despised, are remembered there, and honored, and their righteousness found unto praise, and honor, and glory (1 Peter 1:7); then, at furthest, shall the horn of a good person be exalted with honor.
It is the duty and interest of the people of G-d not to be afraid of evil tidings, not to be afraid of hearing bad news. When they do, not to be put into confusion by it and into an amazing expectation of worse and worse, but whatever happens, whatever threatens, to be able to say, ‘None of these things move me, neither will I fear, though the earth be removed.’
The fixedness of the heart is a sovereign remedy against the disquieting fear of evil tidings. If we keep our thoughts composed, and ourselves masters of them, our wills resigned to the holy will of G-d, our temper sedate, and our spirits even, under all the unevenness of Providence, we are well fortified against the agitations of the fearful. By faith, we must cast anchor in the promise, in the Word of G-d, and so return to him and repose in him as our rest.
It will complete the satisfaction of the saints, when they shall look back upon their troubles and pressures, and be able to say that when he had recounted the persecutions he endured, but out of them ‘the L-rd delivered me.’
The wicked shall see the righteous in prosperity and honor and shall be grieved. It will vex them to see their innocence cleared and their low estate regarded, and those whom they hated and despised, and whose ruin they sought and hoped to see, the favorites’ of Heaven, and advanced to have dominion over them (Psalms 49:14); this will make them gnash with their teeth and pine away. This is often fulfilled in this world. The happiness of the saints is the envy of the wicked, and that envy is the rottenness of their bones. But it will most fully be accomplished in the other world, when it shall make damned sinners gnash with their teeth, to see Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in him bosom, to see all the prophets in the kingdom of G-d and themselves thrust out. Their own disappointment: The desire of the wicked shall perish. Their desire was wholly to the world and the flesh, and they ruled over them; and therefore, when these perish, their joy is gone, and their expectations from them are cut off, to their everlasting confusion; their hope is as a spider's web.
This is the best of times for Believers and the worse of times for unbelievers!
It Will Be Worth It!
Victoria Boyson:
It Will Be Worth It!
To those who overcome in the midst of adversity, He will give increased authority (Revelation 2:26). You have indeed been tried by the fires of Hell, yet you have remained steadfast. As you thrust yourself into the bosom of your Father, you walk away having learned the secrets of His heart. You are no longer as easily beguiled or overwrought by the enemy, but you see now with the eyes of Heaven. You are made sober in spirit, yet gentle as a dove.
God Never Said it Would be Easy!
Have you been attacked by the enemy? Have you been hit so hard that you've wanted to die? Has someone torn your heart out and trampled on it? Have you been betrayed, lied about or robbed? God never said this life would be easy, He only said that a life lived for Him would be worth the battle!
Every battle worth fighting is difficult. It was not easy for Jesus to die for the sins of the world. It was not easy for the early Christians to die for their faith or for the pilgrims to come to America to find religious freedom. What they faced was not easy for them, but it was worth it! And we thank God for them.
These people knew that they were not fighting their battles for themselves alone, but for those their lives would affect. The forefathers of the United States had a dream of a great nation, and they fought and died for their dream. God had a dream of making us a part of His family: Jesus died to bring that dream to life. It was extremely difficult, but we were worth it to Him.
Never Give Up!
It is always easier to give up – to leave your ministry, church or family, but it is often the easy road that leads to destruction. The seemingly shortest or easiest path is usually a mistake. Hold your ground, stay on course and you will have a great victory...if you do not give up.
At times, when I have gone to the Lord with my pains or complaints, He will speak this short simple phrase to me: "Did you think it would be easy?" The Lord has given us a great destiny to fulfill, but He never promised that it would be easy. In fact, He told us it would be difficult. He said, "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Sometimes in the midst of the trial we are facing we get discouraged and disheartened. It is easy to think we have had more than our share of attacks. But in those times we need to be reminded that God knows of our difficulties and He is not panicked. He knew it wouldn't be easy for us, but He knew that if we did not give up, we would win. And the victory that we would enjoy would be well worth the fight.
There will always be someone who thinks they could do your job better than you. They feel as though they are more anointed than you and it seems there is no end to their criticisms. Of course, the enemy tries his very best to convince you that they are right in their opinions, but they are NOT! You must hold your ground! If you give up your position in the Body of Christ, the place you've held is then left unprotected and others will suffer.
God has you where you are for a reason; someone has to hold that position. You do not know how many lives you are affecting just by being where you are. What you are doing is important. It is important for your own personal well-being as a child of God, and to others. Your battle is not for you alone, but for the Kingdom of Heaven. Your fight of faith is for the Lover of your soul, and that others may know of Him and love Him, too.
Elijah's Despair
After the prophet Elijah had the prophets of Baal killed with a sword (1 Kings 18:40), King Ahab told his wife Jezebel what Elijah had done. "Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying, 'So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time'" (1 Kings 19:2).
After hearing her threat, Elijah was afraid and ran for his life into the wilderness. He was filled with hopelessness and despair (1 Kings 19:3-4). After one of the greatest victories of his life he felt like a failure. He felt overwhelmed by the evil of his day and hopeless to overcome it.
The enemy can at times come in like a flood and tear apart our faith, leaving us discouraged and feeling hopeless to fight it. We may lose sight of our vision because of the pain we feel, just as Elijah lost sight of all that God had done through him. He lost his focus and was not able to see the true picture of what God was doing through him, and he felt like a failure.
Elijah lived his life in obedience to God, doing great things for Him. Yet he wanted to die because of the despair he felt. Maybe Elijah did not do all that he wanted to do for God, but he did do what God wanted him to do. He needed to be reminded of the truth of his situation to shake off the hopelessness he felt. And so do we.
I have felt much like Elijah. I have experienced the sting of the enemy and felt the hopelessness he can bring. But somehow, with God by my side, I made it through that time. Step by carefully-placed step I walked together with God out of satan's death trap. I found myself being carried by God through my fiery trial, and what I thought would be the end of me was really only the beginning of more of Him.
When you feel like you will go crazy, but don't... When you know that satan wanted you dead, but you're not... When you want to give up, but continue on, that is when you begin to know God as He truly is. You know He is holding you, and carrying you through.
When I read in 1 Kings 19:4-7 of how the angel of the Lord brought Elijah bread and water from Heaven while he rested under the juniper tree, I see the power of our loving Father to restore us. After the touch of the Lord, Elijah was sustained for the next forty days as he journeyed to the mountain of the Lord, where he met with God (verses 8-9).
Elijah continued to remind God of his trouble, but God responded by telling him to return to his position of authority (1 Kings 19:15). We see in God's instructions to Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Aram, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as his successor, not only His plan of victory over evil (1 King 19:17) but an increase in authority given to Elijah to carry out His plan. God did not pity Elijah, but restored him and sent him back to fulfill the plans that He had for him.
We Will Be Victorious
Indeed, you have been treated unjustly; they have lied about you and cursed you. Jesus said they would speak evil against us (Matthew 10:17-28). He told us that we would be persecuted because of Him. But He also said we would receive a rich reward for every lie, curse or unjust act we have faced for His sake (Matthew 5:11-12). Yes, He did warn us of what we would face, but He also said it would be worth it.
It is worth it because we will be victorious! Someday we will all be together with our Lord and we will see our enemy for what he truly is. We will wonder then how it was even possible for him to cause us trouble. We will marvel at what a forlorn creature he is, the rejected of Heaven (Isaiah 14:19; Luke 10:18).
In 1 Peter 5:8, satan is described as a roaring lion. He is indeed a roaring lion, and with his roar he unleashes accusation, intimidation and deception, because he knows that if we are able, even for a moment, to see him as he really is, we will no longer fear him.
Our enemy is defeated! He is a toothless lion who makes a lot of noise! Jesus is our victor and it is He who has removed the sting of death from our enemy (Luke 10:18-20), taking out his teeth. He has given us His victory and there is now more power in even the youngest babe in Christ than there is in satan's whole demon lair. "Greater is HE who is in you, than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
Do not listen to the lies of the enemy. He will try to intimidate you, but he has no real power over those who are in Christ. Do not listen to the voices of intimidation, manipulation and condemnation, because your heavenly Father loves you and He is fighting for you.
Beloved, it will be worth it!
Victoria Boyson
Speaking Life Ministries
Email: victoria@boyson.org
It Will Be Worth It!
To those who overcome in the midst of adversity, He will give increased authority (Revelation 2:26). You have indeed been tried by the fires of Hell, yet you have remained steadfast. As you thrust yourself into the bosom of your Father, you walk away having learned the secrets of His heart. You are no longer as easily beguiled or overwrought by the enemy, but you see now with the eyes of Heaven. You are made sober in spirit, yet gentle as a dove.
God Never Said it Would be Easy!
Have you been attacked by the enemy? Have you been hit so hard that you've wanted to die? Has someone torn your heart out and trampled on it? Have you been betrayed, lied about or robbed? God never said this life would be easy, He only said that a life lived for Him would be worth the battle!
Every battle worth fighting is difficult. It was not easy for Jesus to die for the sins of the world. It was not easy for the early Christians to die for their faith or for the pilgrims to come to America to find religious freedom. What they faced was not easy for them, but it was worth it! And we thank God for them.
These people knew that they were not fighting their battles for themselves alone, but for those their lives would affect. The forefathers of the United States had a dream of a great nation, and they fought and died for their dream. God had a dream of making us a part of His family: Jesus died to bring that dream to life. It was extremely difficult, but we were worth it to Him.
Never Give Up!
It is always easier to give up – to leave your ministry, church or family, but it is often the easy road that leads to destruction. The seemingly shortest or easiest path is usually a mistake. Hold your ground, stay on course and you will have a great victory...if you do not give up.
At times, when I have gone to the Lord with my pains or complaints, He will speak this short simple phrase to me: "Did you think it would be easy?" The Lord has given us a great destiny to fulfill, but He never promised that it would be easy. In fact, He told us it would be difficult. He said, "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Sometimes in the midst of the trial we are facing we get discouraged and disheartened. It is easy to think we have had more than our share of attacks. But in those times we need to be reminded that God knows of our difficulties and He is not panicked. He knew it wouldn't be easy for us, but He knew that if we did not give up, we would win. And the victory that we would enjoy would be well worth the fight.
There will always be someone who thinks they could do your job better than you. They feel as though they are more anointed than you and it seems there is no end to their criticisms. Of course, the enemy tries his very best to convince you that they are right in their opinions, but they are NOT! You must hold your ground! If you give up your position in the Body of Christ, the place you've held is then left unprotected and others will suffer.
God has you where you are for a reason; someone has to hold that position. You do not know how many lives you are affecting just by being where you are. What you are doing is important. It is important for your own personal well-being as a child of God, and to others. Your battle is not for you alone, but for the Kingdom of Heaven. Your fight of faith is for the Lover of your soul, and that others may know of Him and love Him, too.
Elijah's Despair
After the prophet Elijah had the prophets of Baal killed with a sword (1 Kings 18:40), King Ahab told his wife Jezebel what Elijah had done. "Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying, 'So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time'" (1 Kings 19:2).
After hearing her threat, Elijah was afraid and ran for his life into the wilderness. He was filled with hopelessness and despair (1 Kings 19:3-4). After one of the greatest victories of his life he felt like a failure. He felt overwhelmed by the evil of his day and hopeless to overcome it.
The enemy can at times come in like a flood and tear apart our faith, leaving us discouraged and feeling hopeless to fight it. We may lose sight of our vision because of the pain we feel, just as Elijah lost sight of all that God had done through him. He lost his focus and was not able to see the true picture of what God was doing through him, and he felt like a failure.
Elijah lived his life in obedience to God, doing great things for Him. Yet he wanted to die because of the despair he felt. Maybe Elijah did not do all that he wanted to do for God, but he did do what God wanted him to do. He needed to be reminded of the truth of his situation to shake off the hopelessness he felt. And so do we.
I have felt much like Elijah. I have experienced the sting of the enemy and felt the hopelessness he can bring. But somehow, with God by my side, I made it through that time. Step by carefully-placed step I walked together with God out of satan's death trap. I found myself being carried by God through my fiery trial, and what I thought would be the end of me was really only the beginning of more of Him.
When you feel like you will go crazy, but don't... When you know that satan wanted you dead, but you're not... When you want to give up, but continue on, that is when you begin to know God as He truly is. You know He is holding you, and carrying you through.
When I read in 1 Kings 19:4-7 of how the angel of the Lord brought Elijah bread and water from Heaven while he rested under the juniper tree, I see the power of our loving Father to restore us. After the touch of the Lord, Elijah was sustained for the next forty days as he journeyed to the mountain of the Lord, where he met with God (verses 8-9).
Elijah continued to remind God of his trouble, but God responded by telling him to return to his position of authority (1 Kings 19:15). We see in God's instructions to Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Aram, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as his successor, not only His plan of victory over evil (1 King 19:17) but an increase in authority given to Elijah to carry out His plan. God did not pity Elijah, but restored him and sent him back to fulfill the plans that He had for him.
We Will Be Victorious
Indeed, you have been treated unjustly; they have lied about you and cursed you. Jesus said they would speak evil against us (Matthew 10:17-28). He told us that we would be persecuted because of Him. But He also said we would receive a rich reward for every lie, curse or unjust act we have faced for His sake (Matthew 5:11-12). Yes, He did warn us of what we would face, but He also said it would be worth it.
It is worth it because we will be victorious! Someday we will all be together with our Lord and we will see our enemy for what he truly is. We will wonder then how it was even possible for him to cause us trouble. We will marvel at what a forlorn creature he is, the rejected of Heaven (Isaiah 14:19; Luke 10:18).
In 1 Peter 5:8, satan is described as a roaring lion. He is indeed a roaring lion, and with his roar he unleashes accusation, intimidation and deception, because he knows that if we are able, even for a moment, to see him as he really is, we will no longer fear him.
Our enemy is defeated! He is a toothless lion who makes a lot of noise! Jesus is our victor and it is He who has removed the sting of death from our enemy (Luke 10:18-20), taking out his teeth. He has given us His victory and there is now more power in even the youngest babe in Christ than there is in satan's whole demon lair. "Greater is HE who is in you, than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).
Do not listen to the lies of the enemy. He will try to intimidate you, but he has no real power over those who are in Christ. Do not listen to the voices of intimidation, manipulation and condemnation, because your heavenly Father loves you and He is fighting for you.
Beloved, it will be worth it!
Victoria Boyson
Speaking Life Ministries
Email: victoria@boyson.org
Debauch Nation
[Jer. 5:9] Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
[18] Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you.
[19] And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.
[21] Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:
Reproof for sin and threatening of judgment are intermixed, are threatened, that the reproofs of sin might be the more effectual to bring them to repentance. The sins they are charged with are very great: Injustice, hypocrisy in religion, incorrigibleness, the corruption, and debauchery of both poor and rich, idolatry and adultery, treacherous departures from G-d, and impudent defiance of Him. Wanting of the fear of G-d, but notwithstanding the frequent calls given them to fear Him therefore they are charged with violence and oppression, and a combination of those to debauch the nation who should have been active to reform it.
Have we learned from this or repeated their same mistakes?
History now repeats itself!
We swear falsely, tho' G-d is a G-d of truth; we are incorrigible and senseless, and know not His Law, or else willfully violate it having contempt of G-d's Word and Prophets, which should be sadly verified. We forsake, forget, and fear not G-d, whose power is so great for we were not taught G-d is also a ‘just Father’ who will hold us accountable.
The cause of the judgments to be inflicted is the universal corruption of the people. This was not the case with the low and ignorant only, but more egregiously so with those of the higher order, from whose knowledge and opportunities better things might have been expected.
G-d gives leave to all the earth to look into the state of Jerusalem, by which He vindicates Himself in the face of the whole world from all severity towards His people, whatever He brings upon them, He will bring upon the nations, which means us.
If there be here and there a man or woman that is truly conscientious, and does at least speak the truth, yet you shall not find him in the streets and broad places; he dares not appear publicly, lest he should be abused and run down, this is were we are heading!
What do you make of those that continue to make profession of religion and relation to G-d? Many are not sincere in the profession they make of respect to G-d, but are false to Him; they honor Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. Though they appeal to G-d only, they make no conscience of calling Him to witness to a lie. Though they do not swear by idols, they forswear themselves, which is no less an affront to G-d, as the G-d of truth, than the other is as the only true G-d.
23] But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
“Even in those days, dismal as they are, I will not make a full end with you”; and, if G-d will not, the enemy shall not. G-d has mercy in store for His people, and therefore will set bounds to this desolating judgment. Hitherto it shall come, and no further. Not even in these days of judgments, will G-d utterly exterminate His people.
Unhumbled hearts are ready to charge G-d with injustice in their afflictions, and pretend they have to seek for the cause of them when it is written in the forehead of them. Foolish people and without understanding; they apprehend not the mind of G-d, though ever so plainly declared to them by the written Word, by His prophets, and by His providence.
We cannot judge men by the advantages and opportunities they enjoy: there are those that sit in darkness in a land of light, that live in sin even in a Holy Land, that are bad in the best places. Their wills were stubborn and unapt to submit to the rules of the Divine Law.
People have a revolting and a rebellious heart; and no wonder when they were foolish and without understanding, Psalms 82:5. It is the corrupt bias of the will that bribes and besots the understanding: none as blind as those that will not see. The character of people is the true character of all people by nature, till the grace of G-d has wrought a change. We are foolish, slow of understanding, and apt to mistake and forget; yet that is not the worst. We have a revolting and a rebellious heart, a carnal mind, that is enmity against
G-d, and is not in subjection to His Law, not only revolting from Him by a rooted aversion to that which is good, but rebellious against Him by a strong inclination to that which is evil. The revolting heart is a rebellious one: those that withdraw from their allegiance to G-d do not stop there, but by siding in with sin and Satan take up arms against him.
Who would stand in the gap to turn away the wrath of G-d? Who executed judgment and made conscience of what he or she says or does; that executes judgment, and administers justice impartially, that will put the laws in execution against vice and profaneness?
[18] Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you.
[19] And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.
[21] Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:
Reproof for sin and threatening of judgment are intermixed, are threatened, that the reproofs of sin might be the more effectual to bring them to repentance. The sins they are charged with are very great: Injustice, hypocrisy in religion, incorrigibleness, the corruption, and debauchery of both poor and rich, idolatry and adultery, treacherous departures from G-d, and impudent defiance of Him. Wanting of the fear of G-d, but notwithstanding the frequent calls given them to fear Him therefore they are charged with violence and oppression, and a combination of those to debauch the nation who should have been active to reform it.
Have we learned from this or repeated their same mistakes?
History now repeats itself!
We swear falsely, tho' G-d is a G-d of truth; we are incorrigible and senseless, and know not His Law, or else willfully violate it having contempt of G-d's Word and Prophets, which should be sadly verified. We forsake, forget, and fear not G-d, whose power is so great for we were not taught G-d is also a ‘just Father’ who will hold us accountable.
The cause of the judgments to be inflicted is the universal corruption of the people. This was not the case with the low and ignorant only, but more egregiously so with those of the higher order, from whose knowledge and opportunities better things might have been expected.
G-d gives leave to all the earth to look into the state of Jerusalem, by which He vindicates Himself in the face of the whole world from all severity towards His people, whatever He brings upon them, He will bring upon the nations, which means us.
If there be here and there a man or woman that is truly conscientious, and does at least speak the truth, yet you shall not find him in the streets and broad places; he dares not appear publicly, lest he should be abused and run down, this is were we are heading!
What do you make of those that continue to make profession of religion and relation to G-d? Many are not sincere in the profession they make of respect to G-d, but are false to Him; they honor Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. Though they appeal to G-d only, they make no conscience of calling Him to witness to a lie. Though they do not swear by idols, they forswear themselves, which is no less an affront to G-d, as the G-d of truth, than the other is as the only true G-d.
23] But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
“Even in those days, dismal as they are, I will not make a full end with you”; and, if G-d will not, the enemy shall not. G-d has mercy in store for His people, and therefore will set bounds to this desolating judgment. Hitherto it shall come, and no further. Not even in these days of judgments, will G-d utterly exterminate His people.
Unhumbled hearts are ready to charge G-d with injustice in their afflictions, and pretend they have to seek for the cause of them when it is written in the forehead of them. Foolish people and without understanding; they apprehend not the mind of G-d, though ever so plainly declared to them by the written Word, by His prophets, and by His providence.
We cannot judge men by the advantages and opportunities they enjoy: there are those that sit in darkness in a land of light, that live in sin even in a Holy Land, that are bad in the best places. Their wills were stubborn and unapt to submit to the rules of the Divine Law.
People have a revolting and a rebellious heart; and no wonder when they were foolish and without understanding, Psalms 82:5. It is the corrupt bias of the will that bribes and besots the understanding: none as blind as those that will not see. The character of people is the true character of all people by nature, till the grace of G-d has wrought a change. We are foolish, slow of understanding, and apt to mistake and forget; yet that is not the worst. We have a revolting and a rebellious heart, a carnal mind, that is enmity against
G-d, and is not in subjection to His Law, not only revolting from Him by a rooted aversion to that which is good, but rebellious against Him by a strong inclination to that which is evil. The revolting heart is a rebellious one: those that withdraw from their allegiance to G-d do not stop there, but by siding in with sin and Satan take up arms against him.
Who would stand in the gap to turn away the wrath of G-d? Who executed judgment and made conscience of what he or she says or does; that executes judgment, and administers justice impartially, that will put the laws in execution against vice and profaneness?
Wonders of Nature
The wonders of nature are falling from the trees as I sit in amazement of G-d’s creation.
There appears to be no breeze but as the leaves float gently down, I got to thinking of the Holy Spirit is unseen also but we can feel His wonderful effects.
Some leaves spin as dancing before the Father, some flutter like butterflies. Well others rush in their descending; others appear as a light rainfall.
If you listen can hear the rap tap of walnuts hitting rooftops as they roll off to the ground. Acorns and pine needles scattering all over the place while the pinecones hang on for dear life to the tree tops.
Squires chatting away as they are gathering their winters supply, above them the birds are singing their praises to their Creator as they sour in the heavenliest. In the mean time, the crickets are chirping in unison as the butterflies light up the night sky.
The breeze is picking up and I can smell wood burning, someone must be warming up his or her house. There is also a sweet smell coming off a tree that is present to the hostels.
Our Father is always please when one takes the time to be awed by His creation!
How can one say there is no G-d with all this beauty surrounding us?
His present is with us always as we open up our five-senses for the Spirit realm to show off His glory.
What a privilege to experience all of this, for it is truly a splendid day that G-d has made!
There appears to be no breeze but as the leaves float gently down, I got to thinking of the Holy Spirit is unseen also but we can feel His wonderful effects.
Some leaves spin as dancing before the Father, some flutter like butterflies. Well others rush in their descending; others appear as a light rainfall.
If you listen can hear the rap tap of walnuts hitting rooftops as they roll off to the ground. Acorns and pine needles scattering all over the place while the pinecones hang on for dear life to the tree tops.
Squires chatting away as they are gathering their winters supply, above them the birds are singing their praises to their Creator as they sour in the heavenliest. In the mean time, the crickets are chirping in unison as the butterflies light up the night sky.
The breeze is picking up and I can smell wood burning, someone must be warming up his or her house. There is also a sweet smell coming off a tree that is present to the hostels.
Our Father is always please when one takes the time to be awed by His creation!
How can one say there is no G-d with all this beauty surrounding us?
His present is with us always as we open up our five-senses for the Spirit realm to show off His glory.
What a privilege to experience all of this, for it is truly a splendid day that G-d has made!
Parenting
Col. 3:20-21 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the L-rd. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Prov. 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Prov. 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Prov. 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Job 12:12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
Psalms 103:17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-- 18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
Proverbs 5:1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, 2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.
Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
‘Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.
Matthew 15:4 For God said, `Honor your father and mother' and `Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother "--which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
1 Timothy 3:4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
The Oral Laws say:
418. Positive – Deut. 6:7 and you shall teach them diligently to your children
It is a command for every person to be familiar with the Laws of the Torah.
In Judaism, this is applied by everyone having a specific time each day to study Torah. Traditionally Jews believe that in this command is the obligation of every father to teach his children.
In the Mishneh 5:21 it gives the rules of how ancient Jews were instructed including when they started with the Torah. We are told that the children were taught:
1. First from the book of Leviticus for ritual purity and how to approach G-d by sacrifice and offering.
2. Then the book of Psalms to understand the nature of G-d before going on to other things.
Possibly this is what Y’Shua meant when He referred to people coming to Him as a child in Matt. 18:2-4 ‘in child like purity.’
1. At the age of 10 one was fit for the study of the words of the Oral Law. Some Scholars believe it was the Oral Law that the ancient children were questioned about on the steps of the Temple, as in the case of Y’Shua in Luke 2.
2. At the age of 13 one was old enough to fulfill the commandments and be numbered with the believers of Israel.
3. At the age of 15 one was ready to study the Sages
4. At the age of 18 for marriage
5. At the age of 20 for pursuing a vocation. Y’Shua is called both son of Joseph the carpenter and Y’Shua the carpenter in the book of Mark. Obviously Joseph had followed this pattern and that his son his vocation.
6. At the age of 30 one entered into the full vigor of his ministry as we see Y’Shua doing in the gospels.
7. At the age of 40 one was old enough to have attained knowledge
8. At the age of 50 one was fit to become a counselor as in the case of the older teaching the younger.
33. Positive – Ex. 20:12 Honor your father and your mother
This has to do with helping one’s parents and raising their status. Generally, it concerns providing them with food, drink, and clothing, the basic care when and if they are unable to do it themselves.
Jewish tradition states that we are not to shame our parents nor display anger at them, but to remain silent in such cases when anger is unavoidable. You are to remain silent in reverence of Hashem, the King of Kings, who commanded you to do this. It is highly improbable that a child can ever repay the parents for the strenuous efforts put forth in raising and caring for them during infancy through childhood.
Also, this command along with the exhortation to honor those in authority points to respect for G-d behind the principle of authority (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Paul points out that this was the first commandment with promise in Eph. 6:1-3. The promise is that all may be well with you and that you may live long upon the earth. The idea is that rebellious children who dishonored the parents by idolatry or such things were punished by stoning in Ex. 21:16 and Deut. 5:16.
Two things we are to do for our parents in awe of G-d is to obey and honor, if there is a conflict and honoring can be done from a distance.
212. Positive – Lev. 19:3 you shall revere his mother and his father
It was not only a tradition, but also a command to stand in awe of one’s parents.
There were several ancient traditions, fences that helped reinforce this command including the child not being able to stand, or sit in the usual place were his parents stood or sat.
It was forbidden for a child to contradict his parents, or even to say that a person arguing with his parent was right. The children were not permitted to call his parents by name. Any actions that reduced the honor towards the parents were forbidden.
There was a safeguard concerning this Law that permitted the child to ignore the parent’s instruction if for any reason it transgresses any of the commandments.
The purpose for the Torah mentioning the mother before the father in this command is to reinforce the idea of equal respect for both parents since in ancient times it was the natural tendency to respect the father more.
238. Negative – Lev. 19:17 you shall not hate your kinsman in your heart
This is thought to be one of the most damaging sins because other evils grow out of secrets sins held against another that has been kept inside one’s heart. This is the reason we are told to go to another and settle these before they grow into worst sins.
242. Negative - Lev. 19:18 do not bear a grudge against your kinsfolk
We are forbidden to bear a grudge over the harm any Believer brought upon us. This relates to the recollection and verbal expression of resentment with regard to another’s actions or words. We are commanded to act as if it never happened. We often cannot do this without the help of G-d, so we must call upon Him to strengthen us.
The Mishneh mentions this concept by, The reward is in proportion to the exertion. This is the idea Y’Shua is teaching in Matt. 9:29- Be it unto you according to your excursion.
257. Positive – Lev. 19:32 you shall rise before the age and show deference to the old
It is still done by some G-d fearing students and Orthodox Jews today that when a Torah Scholar passes within six feet of them the individual will stand up and stands still until the Scholar passes by. (I would like to see that respect shown).
In a similar fashion, we are commanded to rise in the presence of the elderly individual 70 years ole, plus, whether a scholar or not, provided the individual is not wicked or irreligious. In Jewish groups the Torah Scholars are always shown special attention such as letting them speak first, receiving the highest honor, at gatherings sitting at the front table and being served first among various other things.
Studying was considered the highest form of worship, recognition was a sign of appreciation, and encouragement, for what they learn was passed down to you.
Reverence to the elderly for all their years of gathering wisdom, they paid the price and earned the respect.
260. Negative – Lev. 20:9 if any man repudiates his father or his mother, he shall be put to death
A child is forbidden to curse his parents, even after their death. If an individual cursed his parents using one of the proper names of Hashem, he was deserving of the death penalty by stoning. If he curses them using an attributive name, the punishment was lashes, as is the case when cursing another Jew.
Specifically forbidden in Scripture is the cursing of G-d, parents, and the deaf.
589. Negative – Deut. 24:16 parents shall not be put to death for children
The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
It was forbidden to accept the testimony of one who is closely related to the individual being tried.
According to Torah, only paternal relatives disqualify as witnesses, but the sages enlarged that to include the testimony of maternal relatives not to be accepted as well.
Lev. 19:32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man,
The future brings:
Matt. 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
2 Tim. 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Both Scripture and behavioral psychology affirm the importance of parenting practices on a child's development. Theologically, such practices occur within the context of a covenantal relationship between a parent and child that is grounded in love and discipline that reflect the love and discipline of G-d the Father.
In today’s economy as in the old, children were to rise up and take care of their parents onto death. As usual, the advisory has changed it to be the parents still providing for their children when they are of age, plus help raising their grandchildren. No wonder the future holds such a dim few! We have crippled our children to stand on their own two feet and take up their own responsibilities. Life’s lessons are hard to learn but parents need to stand back and allow them to make their own mistakes, go through their own troubles so that they can grow to maturity. ‘Possibility’ of changing future events to a happier ending for all.
Prov. 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Prov. 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
Prov. 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Job 12:12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
Psalms 103:17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-- 18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
Proverbs 5:1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, 2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.
Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
‘Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.
Matthew 15:4 For God said, `Honor your father and mother' and `Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother "--which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
1 Timothy 3:4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
The Oral Laws say:
418. Positive – Deut. 6:7 and you shall teach them diligently to your children
It is a command for every person to be familiar with the Laws of the Torah.
In Judaism, this is applied by everyone having a specific time each day to study Torah. Traditionally Jews believe that in this command is the obligation of every father to teach his children.
In the Mishneh 5:21 it gives the rules of how ancient Jews were instructed including when they started with the Torah. We are told that the children were taught:
1. First from the book of Leviticus for ritual purity and how to approach G-d by sacrifice and offering.
2. Then the book of Psalms to understand the nature of G-d before going on to other things.
Possibly this is what Y’Shua meant when He referred to people coming to Him as a child in Matt. 18:2-4 ‘in child like purity.’
1. At the age of 10 one was fit for the study of the words of the Oral Law. Some Scholars believe it was the Oral Law that the ancient children were questioned about on the steps of the Temple, as in the case of Y’Shua in Luke 2.
2. At the age of 13 one was old enough to fulfill the commandments and be numbered with the believers of Israel.
3. At the age of 15 one was ready to study the Sages
4. At the age of 18 for marriage
5. At the age of 20 for pursuing a vocation. Y’Shua is called both son of Joseph the carpenter and Y’Shua the carpenter in the book of Mark. Obviously Joseph had followed this pattern and that his son his vocation.
6. At the age of 30 one entered into the full vigor of his ministry as we see Y’Shua doing in the gospels.
7. At the age of 40 one was old enough to have attained knowledge
8. At the age of 50 one was fit to become a counselor as in the case of the older teaching the younger.
33. Positive – Ex. 20:12 Honor your father and your mother
This has to do with helping one’s parents and raising their status. Generally, it concerns providing them with food, drink, and clothing, the basic care when and if they are unable to do it themselves.
Jewish tradition states that we are not to shame our parents nor display anger at them, but to remain silent in such cases when anger is unavoidable. You are to remain silent in reverence of Hashem, the King of Kings, who commanded you to do this. It is highly improbable that a child can ever repay the parents for the strenuous efforts put forth in raising and caring for them during infancy through childhood.
Also, this command along with the exhortation to honor those in authority points to respect for G-d behind the principle of authority (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Paul points out that this was the first commandment with promise in Eph. 6:1-3. The promise is that all may be well with you and that you may live long upon the earth. The idea is that rebellious children who dishonored the parents by idolatry or such things were punished by stoning in Ex. 21:16 and Deut. 5:16.
Two things we are to do for our parents in awe of G-d is to obey and honor, if there is a conflict and honoring can be done from a distance.
212. Positive – Lev. 19:3 you shall revere his mother and his father
It was not only a tradition, but also a command to stand in awe of one’s parents.
There were several ancient traditions, fences that helped reinforce this command including the child not being able to stand, or sit in the usual place were his parents stood or sat.
It was forbidden for a child to contradict his parents, or even to say that a person arguing with his parent was right. The children were not permitted to call his parents by name. Any actions that reduced the honor towards the parents were forbidden.
There was a safeguard concerning this Law that permitted the child to ignore the parent’s instruction if for any reason it transgresses any of the commandments.
The purpose for the Torah mentioning the mother before the father in this command is to reinforce the idea of equal respect for both parents since in ancient times it was the natural tendency to respect the father more.
238. Negative – Lev. 19:17 you shall not hate your kinsman in your heart
This is thought to be one of the most damaging sins because other evils grow out of secrets sins held against another that has been kept inside one’s heart. This is the reason we are told to go to another and settle these before they grow into worst sins.
242. Negative - Lev. 19:18 do not bear a grudge against your kinsfolk
We are forbidden to bear a grudge over the harm any Believer brought upon us. This relates to the recollection and verbal expression of resentment with regard to another’s actions or words. We are commanded to act as if it never happened. We often cannot do this without the help of G-d, so we must call upon Him to strengthen us.
The Mishneh mentions this concept by, The reward is in proportion to the exertion. This is the idea Y’Shua is teaching in Matt. 9:29- Be it unto you according to your excursion.
257. Positive – Lev. 19:32 you shall rise before the age and show deference to the old
It is still done by some G-d fearing students and Orthodox Jews today that when a Torah Scholar passes within six feet of them the individual will stand up and stands still until the Scholar passes by. (I would like to see that respect shown).
In a similar fashion, we are commanded to rise in the presence of the elderly individual 70 years ole, plus, whether a scholar or not, provided the individual is not wicked or irreligious. In Jewish groups the Torah Scholars are always shown special attention such as letting them speak first, receiving the highest honor, at gatherings sitting at the front table and being served first among various other things.
Studying was considered the highest form of worship, recognition was a sign of appreciation, and encouragement, for what they learn was passed down to you.
Reverence to the elderly for all their years of gathering wisdom, they paid the price and earned the respect.
260. Negative – Lev. 20:9 if any man repudiates his father or his mother, he shall be put to death
A child is forbidden to curse his parents, even after their death. If an individual cursed his parents using one of the proper names of Hashem, he was deserving of the death penalty by stoning. If he curses them using an attributive name, the punishment was lashes, as is the case when cursing another Jew.
Specifically forbidden in Scripture is the cursing of G-d, parents, and the deaf.
589. Negative – Deut. 24:16 parents shall not be put to death for children
The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
It was forbidden to accept the testimony of one who is closely related to the individual being tried.
According to Torah, only paternal relatives disqualify as witnesses, but the sages enlarged that to include the testimony of maternal relatives not to be accepted as well.
Lev. 19:32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man,
The future brings:
Matt. 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
2 Tim. 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Both Scripture and behavioral psychology affirm the importance of parenting practices on a child's development. Theologically, such practices occur within the context of a covenantal relationship between a parent and child that is grounded in love and discipline that reflect the love and discipline of G-d the Father.
In today’s economy as in the old, children were to rise up and take care of their parents onto death. As usual, the advisory has changed it to be the parents still providing for their children when they are of age, plus help raising their grandchildren. No wonder the future holds such a dim few! We have crippled our children to stand on their own two feet and take up their own responsibilities. Life’s lessons are hard to learn but parents need to stand back and allow them to make their own mistakes, go through their own troubles so that they can grow to maturity. ‘Possibility’ of changing future events to a happier ending for all.
Passing Through
[1 Pet. 2:11] Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
[12] Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify G-d in the day of visitation.
Strangers means, properly, one dwelling near, neighboring; then a by-dweller, a sojourner, one without the rights of citizenship, as distinguished from a citizen; and it means here that Believers are not properly citizens of this world, but that their citizenship is in heaven, and that they are here mere sojourners.
Pilgrims is one who travels to a distance from his own country to visit a holy place, or to pay his devotion to some holy object; then a traveler, a wanderer. The meaning here is, that Believers have no permanent home on earth; their citizenship is not here; they are mere sojourners, and they are passing on to their eternal home in the heavens. They should, therefore, act as become such persons as sojourners and travelers do.
Even while engaged here in the necessary callings of life--their studies, their farming, and their merchandize--their thoughts and affections should be on other things. One in a strange land thinks much of his country and home; a pilgrim, much of the land to which he goes; and even while his time and attention may be necessarily occupied by the arrangements needful for the journey, his thoughts and affections will be far away.
We should not burden ourselves with much of this world's goods. Many professed Believers get so many worldly things around them, that it is impossible for them to make a journey to heaven. They burden themselves as no traveler would, and they make no progress. A traveler takes along as few things as possible; and a staff is often all that a pilgrim has. We make the most rapid progress in our journey to our final home when we are least encumbered with the things of this world.
To be a Believer means to fight against the lusts of the flesh, and the battle continues as long as we live in this flesh. It is easy for us to see how the pursuit of fleshly lusts can destroy our body physically. Just ask the alcoholic dying of liver disease, or ask the sexually immoral person with AIDS or one of the 350,000 people on this earth who contracted a sexually transmitted disease. Disease and death of the inner man is a penalty that no one given over to the flesh escapes.
The meaning is that indulgence in these things makes war against the nobler faculties of the soul against the conscience, the understanding, the memory, the judgment, the exercise of a pure imagination. There is not a faculty of the mind, however brilliant in itself, which will not be ultimately ruined by indulgence in the carnal propensities of our nature.
A good walk does not make us pious, but we must first be pious and believe before we attempt to lead a good course. Faith first receives from God, and then love gives to our neighbor.
The heathen by whom you are surrounded, and who will certainly observe your conduct. This kind of godly living makes our conduct honorable among those who don't know G-d yet. Though we can expect that they will speak against you as evildoers, they can still be brought to glorify G-d by seeing our godly conduct.
Gentiles shall behold in Greek means, "they shall be eye-witnesses of"; "shall behold on close inspection"; as opposed to their "ignorance" of the true character of Believers, by judging on mere hearsay."
Glorify is forming a high estimate of the G-d whom Believers worship, from the exemplary conduct of Believers themselves. We must do well, not with a view to our own glory, but to the glory of G-d.
The day of visitation in G-d's grace; when G-d shall visit them in mercy.
So what did we learn while passing through this land?
1. Purify your souls:
(a) As strangers on earth who must not allow yourselves to be kept back by earthly lusts,
(b) Because these lusts war against the soul's salvation.
2. Walk piously among unbelievers:
(a) So that they may cease to calumniate Believers,
(b) May themselves be converted to Messiah.
(c) Remember we are only passing through.
Is not the pure and holy walk of Believers an occasion of His bending His footsteps down to earth to bless dying sinners, and to scatter spiritual blessings with a liberal hand?
[12] Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify G-d in the day of visitation.
Strangers means, properly, one dwelling near, neighboring; then a by-dweller, a sojourner, one without the rights of citizenship, as distinguished from a citizen; and it means here that Believers are not properly citizens of this world, but that their citizenship is in heaven, and that they are here mere sojourners.
Pilgrims is one who travels to a distance from his own country to visit a holy place, or to pay his devotion to some holy object; then a traveler, a wanderer. The meaning here is, that Believers have no permanent home on earth; their citizenship is not here; they are mere sojourners, and they are passing on to their eternal home in the heavens. They should, therefore, act as become such persons as sojourners and travelers do.
Even while engaged here in the necessary callings of life--their studies, their farming, and their merchandize--their thoughts and affections should be on other things. One in a strange land thinks much of his country and home; a pilgrim, much of the land to which he goes; and even while his time and attention may be necessarily occupied by the arrangements needful for the journey, his thoughts and affections will be far away.
We should not burden ourselves with much of this world's goods. Many professed Believers get so many worldly things around them, that it is impossible for them to make a journey to heaven. They burden themselves as no traveler would, and they make no progress. A traveler takes along as few things as possible; and a staff is often all that a pilgrim has. We make the most rapid progress in our journey to our final home when we are least encumbered with the things of this world.
To be a Believer means to fight against the lusts of the flesh, and the battle continues as long as we live in this flesh. It is easy for us to see how the pursuit of fleshly lusts can destroy our body physically. Just ask the alcoholic dying of liver disease, or ask the sexually immoral person with AIDS or one of the 350,000 people on this earth who contracted a sexually transmitted disease. Disease and death of the inner man is a penalty that no one given over to the flesh escapes.
The meaning is that indulgence in these things makes war against the nobler faculties of the soul against the conscience, the understanding, the memory, the judgment, the exercise of a pure imagination. There is not a faculty of the mind, however brilliant in itself, which will not be ultimately ruined by indulgence in the carnal propensities of our nature.
A good walk does not make us pious, but we must first be pious and believe before we attempt to lead a good course. Faith first receives from God, and then love gives to our neighbor.
The heathen by whom you are surrounded, and who will certainly observe your conduct. This kind of godly living makes our conduct honorable among those who don't know G-d yet. Though we can expect that they will speak against you as evildoers, they can still be brought to glorify G-d by seeing our godly conduct.
Gentiles shall behold in Greek means, "they shall be eye-witnesses of"; "shall behold on close inspection"; as opposed to their "ignorance" of the true character of Believers, by judging on mere hearsay."
Glorify is forming a high estimate of the G-d whom Believers worship, from the exemplary conduct of Believers themselves. We must do well, not with a view to our own glory, but to the glory of G-d.
The day of visitation in G-d's grace; when G-d shall visit them in mercy.
So what did we learn while passing through this land?
1. Purify your souls:
(a) As strangers on earth who must not allow yourselves to be kept back by earthly lusts,
(b) Because these lusts war against the soul's salvation.
2. Walk piously among unbelievers:
(a) So that they may cease to calumniate Believers,
(b) May themselves be converted to Messiah.
(c) Remember we are only passing through.
Is not the pure and holy walk of Believers an occasion of His bending His footsteps down to earth to bless dying sinners, and to scatter spiritual blessings with a liberal hand?
Gentiles Grafted In
[1 Pet. 2:7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:
[9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
[10] Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of G-d: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Gentiles are brought into a condition where we can appreciate His worth. To see the value of food, we must be hungry; of clothing, we must be exposed to the winter's blast; of home, we must be wanderers without a dwelling-place; of medicine, we must be sick; of competence, we must be poor. So, to see the value of the Savior, we must see that we are poor, helpless, dying sinners; that the soul is of inestimable worth; that we have no merit of our own; and that unless some one interpose, we must perish. Every one who becomes a true Believer is brought to this condition; and in this state, he can appreciate the worth of the Savior.
We have had benefactors who have done us good, but none who have done us such good as He has. We have had parents, teachers, kind friends, who have provided for us, taught us, relieved us; but all that they have done for us is slight, compared with what He has done. The fruit of their kindness, for the most part, pertains to the present world; and they have not laid down their lives for us. What He has done pertains to our welfare to all eternity; it is the fruit of the sacrifice of His own life. How precious should the name and memory of one be who has laid down His own life to save us!
We have no hope of salvation but in Him. Take that away and blot out the name and the work of the Redeemer we will see no way, in which we could be saved; we have no prospect of being saved. As our hope of heaven, therefore, is valuable to us; as it supports us in trial; as it comforts us in the hour of death, so is the Savior precious: and the estimate which we form of Him is in proportion to the value of such a hope.
In His character, abstractedly considered, there was more to attract, to interest, to love, than in that of any other one who ever lived in our world. There was more purity, more compassion more that was great in trying circumstances, more that was generous and self-denying, more that resembled G-d, than in any other one who ever appeared on earth. In the moral firmament, the character of Messiah sustains a pre-eminence above all others who have lived, as great as the glory of the sun is superior to the feeble lights, though so numerous, which glimmer at midnight. With such views of him, it is not to be wondered at, that, however he may be estimated by the world, "to them who believe he is precious!"
The same is made the head of the corner. That is, though it is rejected by the mass of men, yet G-d has in fact made it the corner stone on which the whole spiritual temple rests
Peter's message is nonetheless wonderful: "You didn't used to belong, but now you belong to G-d and among G-d's people." The Gentiles being grafted in and the purpose for these high privileges are not so we can grow proud, but so that we can proclaim the praises of Him who has done such great things for us. We did not replace the Israelites but joined heirs with them, the Father meant us to be one and work along side each other.
It was G-d's pure mercy, not our merits, which made the blessed change in our state, a thought which ought to kindle our lively gratitude, to be shown with our life, as well as our lips.
[9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
[10] Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of G-d: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Gentiles are brought into a condition where we can appreciate His worth. To see the value of food, we must be hungry; of clothing, we must be exposed to the winter's blast; of home, we must be wanderers without a dwelling-place; of medicine, we must be sick; of competence, we must be poor. So, to see the value of the Savior, we must see that we are poor, helpless, dying sinners; that the soul is of inestimable worth; that we have no merit of our own; and that unless some one interpose, we must perish. Every one who becomes a true Believer is brought to this condition; and in this state, he can appreciate the worth of the Savior.
We have had benefactors who have done us good, but none who have done us such good as He has. We have had parents, teachers, kind friends, who have provided for us, taught us, relieved us; but all that they have done for us is slight, compared with what He has done. The fruit of their kindness, for the most part, pertains to the present world; and they have not laid down their lives for us. What He has done pertains to our welfare to all eternity; it is the fruit of the sacrifice of His own life. How precious should the name and memory of one be who has laid down His own life to save us!
We have no hope of salvation but in Him. Take that away and blot out the name and the work of the Redeemer we will see no way, in which we could be saved; we have no prospect of being saved. As our hope of heaven, therefore, is valuable to us; as it supports us in trial; as it comforts us in the hour of death, so is the Savior precious: and the estimate which we form of Him is in proportion to the value of such a hope.
In His character, abstractedly considered, there was more to attract, to interest, to love, than in that of any other one who ever lived in our world. There was more purity, more compassion more that was great in trying circumstances, more that was generous and self-denying, more that resembled G-d, than in any other one who ever appeared on earth. In the moral firmament, the character of Messiah sustains a pre-eminence above all others who have lived, as great as the glory of the sun is superior to the feeble lights, though so numerous, which glimmer at midnight. With such views of him, it is not to be wondered at, that, however he may be estimated by the world, "to them who believe he is precious!"
The same is made the head of the corner. That is, though it is rejected by the mass of men, yet G-d has in fact made it the corner stone on which the whole spiritual temple rests
Peter's message is nonetheless wonderful: "You didn't used to belong, but now you belong to G-d and among G-d's people." The Gentiles being grafted in and the purpose for these high privileges are not so we can grow proud, but so that we can proclaim the praises of Him who has done such great things for us. We did not replace the Israelites but joined heirs with them, the Father meant us to be one and work along side each other.
It was G-d's pure mercy, not our merits, which made the blessed change in our state, a thought which ought to kindle our lively gratitude, to be shown with our life, as well as our lips.
Brotherly Love
[1 Pet. 2:1] Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
[3] If so be ye have tasted that the L-rd is gracious.
Wherefore resumes the exhortation begun in 1:22. Seeing that you are born again of an incorruptible seed, is not again entangled in evil, which "has no substantial being, but is acting in contrariety to the being formed in us.
Laying aside once for all: so the Greek aorist expresses as a garment put off. The exhortation applies to Christians alone, for in none else is the new nature existing which, as "the inward man" (Eph 3:16) can cast off the old as an outward thing, so that the Christian, through the continual renewal of his inward man, can also exhibit himself externally as a new man. But to unbelievers the demand is addressed, that inwardly, in regard to the mind, they must become changed, re-pent.
Malice is utterly inconsistent with the ‘love of the brethren,’ unto which ye have ‘purified your souls’. The vices here are those which offend against the Brotherly Love inculcated above. Each succeeding one springs out of that which immediately proceeds, so as to form a genealogy of the sins against love. Out of malice springs guile; out of guile, hypocrises (pretending to be what we are not, and not showing what we really are; the opposite of ‘love unfeigned’, and ‘without dissimulation’); out of hypocrisies, envies of those to whom we think ourselves obliged to play the hypocrite; out of envies, evil-speaking, malicious, envious detraction of others. Guile is the permanent disposition; hypocrisies the acts flowing from it. The guileless knows no envy 2:2, ‘sincere’, Greek, ‘guileless’. ‘Malice delights in another's hurt; envy pines at another's good; guile imparts duplicity to the heart; hypocrisy (flattery) imparts duplicity to the tongue; evil-speaking wound the character of another’.
Evil speaking, this ancient Greek word has more the idea of spicy, hurtful gossip than the idea of profane speech.
Newborn babes altogether without "guile" (2:1), as long as we are here, we are "babes," in a especially tender relation to G-d (Isa 40:11). The childlike spirit is indispensable if we would enter heaven. Milk is here not elementary truths in contradistinction to more advanced Christian truths, as in 1 Cor. 3:2; Heb 5:12, 13; but in contrast to ‘guile, hypocrisies’. The simplicity of Christian doctrine in general is to the childlike spirit. The same ‘word of grace’ which is the instrument in regeneration, is the instrument also of building up. The mother of the child is also its natural nurse. The babe, instead of chemically analyzing, instinctively desires and feeds on the milk; so our part is not self-sufficient rationalizing and questioning, but simply receiving the truth in the love of it (Matt. 11:25).
Desire, Greek, ‘have a yearning desire for,’ or ‘longing after,’ a natural impulse to the regenerate, for as no one needs to teach new-born babes what food to take, knowing instinctively that a table is provided for them in their mother's breast, so the believer of himself thirsts after the Word of G-d (Ps 119:1-176). A healthy new baby has an instinctive yearning for its mother's milk before they can handle stronger nourishment. As newborn babes, we desire the pure milk of the Word.
Sincere, Greek, guileless, ‘laying aside guile." Don’t mix chalk with the milk, with the well-known pure milk, there is no other pure, unadulterated doctrine; it alone can make us guileless.
Of the word in light of what G-d's Word is to us, we should receive the Word, and receive it with a particular heart.
Grow the oldest manuscripts and versions read grow unto salvation. The end to which growth leads is perfected salvation. Growth is the measure of the fullness of that, not only rescue from destruction, but positive blessedness, which is implied in salvation. We are not meant to remain ‘babies’ forever.
Religion reproduces the traits of character of children in those whom it influences and they ought to regard themselves as newborn babes, and seek that kind of spiritual nutriment which is adapted to their condition as such.
However, to grow by the word, we must receive it with a certain attitude of heart: laying aside all malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. This is a humble, honest, heart, willing to do what the Word of G-d says.
Thereby, Greek, in it; fed on it; in its strength (Act 11:14). The word is to be desired with appetite as the cause of life, to be swallowed in the hearing, to be chewed as cud is by rumination with the understanding, and to be digested by faith and grow to adulthood.
If we have received from G-d, if we have tasted (personally experienced) that the L-rd is gracious, then we have all the more reason and responsibility to receive the word in the enthusiastic way that babies receive their milk.
Peter alludes to Ps 34:8. The first "tastes" of G-d's goodness are afterwards followed by fuller and happier experiences. A taste whets the appetite.
Gracious as G-d is revealed to us in Messiah, ‘the L-rd’ (2:4), we who are born again ought so to be good and kind to the brethren (1:22). ‘Whosoever has not tasted the Word to him it is not sweet it has not reached the heart; but to them who have experienced it, who with the heart believe, 'Messiah has been sent for me and is become my own: my miseries are His and His life mine,' it tastes sweet.
[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
[3] If so be ye have tasted that the L-rd is gracious.
Wherefore resumes the exhortation begun in 1:22. Seeing that you are born again of an incorruptible seed, is not again entangled in evil, which "has no substantial being, but is acting in contrariety to the being formed in us.
Laying aside once for all: so the Greek aorist expresses as a garment put off. The exhortation applies to Christians alone, for in none else is the new nature existing which, as "the inward man" (Eph 3:16) can cast off the old as an outward thing, so that the Christian, through the continual renewal of his inward man, can also exhibit himself externally as a new man. But to unbelievers the demand is addressed, that inwardly, in regard to the mind, they must become changed, re-pent.
Malice is utterly inconsistent with the ‘love of the brethren,’ unto which ye have ‘purified your souls’. The vices here are those which offend against the Brotherly Love inculcated above. Each succeeding one springs out of that which immediately proceeds, so as to form a genealogy of the sins against love. Out of malice springs guile; out of guile, hypocrises (pretending to be what we are not, and not showing what we really are; the opposite of ‘love unfeigned’, and ‘without dissimulation’); out of hypocrisies, envies of those to whom we think ourselves obliged to play the hypocrite; out of envies, evil-speaking, malicious, envious detraction of others. Guile is the permanent disposition; hypocrisies the acts flowing from it. The guileless knows no envy 2:2, ‘sincere’, Greek, ‘guileless’. ‘Malice delights in another's hurt; envy pines at another's good; guile imparts duplicity to the heart; hypocrisy (flattery) imparts duplicity to the tongue; evil-speaking wound the character of another’.
Evil speaking, this ancient Greek word has more the idea of spicy, hurtful gossip than the idea of profane speech.
Newborn babes altogether without "guile" (2:1), as long as we are here, we are "babes," in a especially tender relation to G-d (Isa 40:11). The childlike spirit is indispensable if we would enter heaven. Milk is here not elementary truths in contradistinction to more advanced Christian truths, as in 1 Cor. 3:2; Heb 5:12, 13; but in contrast to ‘guile, hypocrisies’. The simplicity of Christian doctrine in general is to the childlike spirit. The same ‘word of grace’ which is the instrument in regeneration, is the instrument also of building up. The mother of the child is also its natural nurse. The babe, instead of chemically analyzing, instinctively desires and feeds on the milk; so our part is not self-sufficient rationalizing and questioning, but simply receiving the truth in the love of it (Matt. 11:25).
Desire, Greek, ‘have a yearning desire for,’ or ‘longing after,’ a natural impulse to the regenerate, for as no one needs to teach new-born babes what food to take, knowing instinctively that a table is provided for them in their mother's breast, so the believer of himself thirsts after the Word of G-d (Ps 119:1-176). A healthy new baby has an instinctive yearning for its mother's milk before they can handle stronger nourishment. As newborn babes, we desire the pure milk of the Word.
Sincere, Greek, guileless, ‘laying aside guile." Don’t mix chalk with the milk, with the well-known pure milk, there is no other pure, unadulterated doctrine; it alone can make us guileless.
Of the word in light of what G-d's Word is to us, we should receive the Word, and receive it with a particular heart.
Grow the oldest manuscripts and versions read grow unto salvation. The end to which growth leads is perfected salvation. Growth is the measure of the fullness of that, not only rescue from destruction, but positive blessedness, which is implied in salvation. We are not meant to remain ‘babies’ forever.
Religion reproduces the traits of character of children in those whom it influences and they ought to regard themselves as newborn babes, and seek that kind of spiritual nutriment which is adapted to their condition as such.
However, to grow by the word, we must receive it with a certain attitude of heart: laying aside all malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. This is a humble, honest, heart, willing to do what the Word of G-d says.
Thereby, Greek, in it; fed on it; in its strength (Act 11:14). The word is to be desired with appetite as the cause of life, to be swallowed in the hearing, to be chewed as cud is by rumination with the understanding, and to be digested by faith and grow to adulthood.
If we have received from G-d, if we have tasted (personally experienced) that the L-rd is gracious, then we have all the more reason and responsibility to receive the word in the enthusiastic way that babies receive their milk.
Peter alludes to Ps 34:8. The first "tastes" of G-d's goodness are afterwards followed by fuller and happier experiences. A taste whets the appetite.
Gracious as G-d is revealed to us in Messiah, ‘the L-rd’ (2:4), we who are born again ought so to be good and kind to the brethren (1:22). ‘Whosoever has not tasted the Word to him it is not sweet it has not reached the heart; but to them who have experienced it, who with the heart believe, 'Messiah has been sent for me and is become my own: my miseries are His and His life mine,' it tastes sweet.
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