Assurances

Luke 1:1-4

The record of Jesus’ life on earth begins in the Gospels, more specifically with Luke’s account written AD 60-62.  Even though Matthew’s Gospel is listed first of the four gospels, Luke begins earlier in the chronological life of Jesus. Of Luke, it is known that he was a gentile, a physician (Colossians 4:14), a frequent traveling companion of the apostle Paul, writer of the Acts of the Apostles, and a meticulous historian.  

In classical Greek historical style, Luke wrote to a man named Theophilus addressing him as “most excellent” indicating he was a person of status, probably a Roman government official and perhaps a recent convert.  Luke states that as others have compiled information of events that has taken place from the beginning of the first century AD, he himself endeavors to do so using reliable sources of individuals who were first-hand eyewitnesses and ministers of the word.  Luke was not an eyewitness himself; he was converted sometime after the death of Christ on the cross.  Luke’s purpose was as he puts it that, “thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (vs. 1-4). 

When a new believer comes to Christ, from the outset he or she needs encouragement from other believers and assurances from reading the Bible.  Theophilus, as a new believer came from a Greco-Roman culture that was polytheistic in nature- a belief in many gods tethered to hedonistic practices.  An example is given in Acts 19:21-41, in Ephesus, there is a temple dedicated to the goddess Diana (Artemis) that employed temple prostitutes.   Additionally, as a Roman official, he would have to struggle with splitting loyalties between the emperor and God of righteousness and love.  To defy the emperor could mean death.  However, it is heartening that in Acts 1:1, Luke addresses Theophilus as one talks a brother-in-Christ, not as a Roman official.

Why Bother?

Why Bother?  Matthew 27:39-44

Jesus has just been nailed to the cross and the people watching were mocking him saying, “Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross” (vs 40), and “He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God” (vs 43).  Reading this, some may say to themselves, “Why did he bother?”  Jesus presented the kingdom to Israel, they rejected him.  Now he is on the cross, near death, taking upon himself the sins of the world (John 1:29).  A world blinded by Satan, also would mostly reject him.

Many Christians sacrifice their money, time, and patience when the do for others.  It could be taking a meal to an elderly neighbor, drive someone to the doctor’s office, or just sitting talking with person to keep them company.  It can be a whole host of acts of kindness.  Sadly, many are not very appreciative of what others do for them and many Christians have had the Devil whisper in their ear, “Why bother?  You could have spent that ten dollars on something else.”  It is a far, far cry from Christ’s death on the cross and taking a few moments out of one’s day to do something for another, but some have lost their lives for the furtherance of the Gospel.  When doing something for someone else, just keep in mind as Jesus died on the cross for your sins, he did bother.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

He was so young… - James 4:13-17

He was so young… - James 4:13-17

While reading an obituary in the local paper, you may have said to yourself, “Oh my, but he (or she) was so young.”  With advances in medicine, it is not unusual for people to live beyond their eighties and nineties.  Some have surpassed a hundred years.  However, it seems at least a few times a month, the local news programs begin with the heartbreaking death of a child, teen, or young adult either by homicide, drug overdose, or a tragic unforeseen accident.  One can never the grief a parent feels when burying a child.  

The Bible gives examples of tragic deaths, in Genesis 4:8, Cain murdered his brother Abel.  Haran, son of Terah and brother of Nahor and Abraham, died young.  There was no cause as to the reason for his death, just that he died before his father (vs 28).  In Genesis 37:31-36, Jacob was inconsolable at the false report by his other sons that Joseph life came to a horrific end.  King David mourned after the death his son Absalom even after he tried to take away the kingdom from his father (2 Samuel 19:4).  Job lost all his children at once (Job 1:18-19).  Even our Lord, unjustly accused was nailed to a cross. 

The point here is that a long life is not promised to anyone.  For those who do, they seem to have achieved old-age despite themselves looking back on all the dumb things they did when younger. Whatever time is allotted, whether it be a few or a hundred years, one must make that time count.  Especially Christians, parents with unsaved children should never stop sharing the Gospel to them. Grandparents as well to their grandchildren.

“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”  (Psalm 90:10 KJV)

Appeal for Reconciliation. Philemon

Appeal for Reconciliation.  Philemon

The employer and employee relationship can often be combative.  Employees feel that their boss are too harsh and that they are not being paid enough for the work they do.  Employers contend that they do pay them enough or what is mandated by law and they cannot afford to pay more.  One says they steal and are lazy, the other says they are cheated and treated unfairly.  It goes back and forth. 

The relationship of Philemon and Onesimus was at one point contentious.  Philemon, a slave owner living in Colossae, had been converted through the apostle Paul’s ministry.  Onesimus, a runaway slave was a later convert of Paul’s during his first Roman imprisonment (vs 10).  In his letter to Philemon written circa 61-62 A.D, the apostle seeks reconciliation between the two.  Paul asks of Philemon as a brother in Christ to forgive a newly repentant brother (vss 19-21).  Paul could have used his authority as an apostle (vs 8), but “Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ” (vs 9).  Jesus states that “… if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses… ” (Matthew 6:14-15) and when Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother, “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). In other worlds, an innumerable amount of times.  However more so, Christians should forgive because of our love of Christ and his love for us.

A few more things to note.  Paul request that anything owed by Onesimus to Philemon be place on Paul’s account much like a sinner who repents his sins are paid for by Christ, thus “put that on [His] account” (vs 18).   As for employer/employee relationships, Paul writes to the Ephesian church:

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” (Ephesians 6:5-9)

Dangers of Social Media.

In a recent statter911.com article, Bradley Baugh, an Ohio firefighter was fired after posting something on Facebook deemed “racially insensitive.”  The article dubbed the post as “SMACSS (Social Media Assisted Career Suicide Syndrome).”[i]  All it took was just one post to end a person’s career.  This was not the first instance and surely this will not be the last.   Just Google “fired after post on Facebook.”

Paul writes to Timothy when choosing a pastor for a church, “Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil…” (1st Timothy 3:7 KJV).  This verse applies to those who desire to be pastors, but it is applicable for others.  People such as teachers, pastors, police officers, and others in positions of trust, bare too much about themselves and their family on Facebook.  Their likes and dislikes, affiliations, movie and TV preferences, etc. It seems that there is nothing that others do not know about them.  One impulsive tweet or post on Facebook can end a person’s career. 

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”  (1Pe 5:8-9)

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[i] https://www.statter911.com/2018/04/11/one-facebook-post-causes-ohio-firefighter-to-lose-jobs-with-two-departments/

Whatever happened to Lot’s flocks and herds? Genesis Chapter 14.

Start by reading Genesis chapter 14.

When Lot separated from Abraham, he had great wealth (Gen.13).  Lot received many blessings through Abraham and covenant promises.  When Lot chose where he would live, the Bible states “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where…” (vs 10a, KJV).  Lot thought it seems, that he would gain even more riches and would live the good life.  However, in chapter 14, Lot was now living in the wicked city of Sodom.  One must ask, “Whatever happened to Lot’s flocks and herds?”  As this chapter unfolds, Lot and his family were taken because of an attack on the city.  Through God’s mercy, Abraham greatly outnumbered pursued the raiders and rescued Lot and his family.

Lot typifies a carnal Christian.  Particularly a type of Christian who seeks earthly wealth over heavenly treasures (Matthew 6:19-21).  Such pursuits can be disastrous leaving behind broken homes and broken families in its wake.  Things never turn out as one envisions.  With barely the shirt on his back, Lot was forced to leave Sodom with his two daughters.  His wife, a mound of salt was left behind.  Lot never gained the prosperity he hoped for, and it appears he lost all.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1^st Timothy 6:10 KJV)

I would appreciate your feedback,

Harry

The Elections and America's Future.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance." Psalm 33:12 NIV

The above verse was written when Israel was near its zenith, a nation truely blessed by God. Sadly, however, the nation slowly moved away from God, splitting into two kingdoms (1 Kings 12). Their Kings did not follow God leading the populace into great wickedness.

Eventually, the ten tribes that formed the Northern Kingdom was taken away into captivity (2 Kings 17:5-6). Later the Southern Kingdom consisting of the tribes of Benjamin and Judah fell as well (2 Kings 25). The latter's judgement delayed by brief periods of revival. The great prophets of Israel warned both Kingdoms of the impending judgement. They would not listen.

America was founded on Christian principles. The founding fathers were not ashamed to get on their knees to ask God for guidance. Today, our leaders could not be bothered. With reckless abandon, the  American people have followed suit. With millions of babies aborted, the celebration of homosexuality, and the open assault of Christianity, only a few can see the the storm clouds gathering. Christians who haven't given up, are lamenting the path that this once great nation is taking, praying for a revival.  Interesting times are ahead my friends. Interesting times indeed.