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2019, Gospel of Luke, KWT Paraphrasing, Questions

Still . . . Sooner

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This is big to me; big enough that I have been eager to get here to share.

40 But Martha was distracted with much serving; so she approached Yeshua and said, “Master, doesn’t it concern you that my sister has left me to serve alone? Then tell her to help me!” source

Martha was what does it say, distracted? Distracted from what? The MORE important. And while we are observing the more important let us not negate that kitchen detail is a good thing. Let’s face it, meal prep is high on the list of daily workings – obviously, it was too high this day.

But that’s not really what I am eager to share with you.

See Martha’s question? See that she is scolding JESUS? Do you ever do that? Do you ever use a tone with Him like that – even if not with words but perhaps countenance? I have. More times than you need to know.  :)

Still. That’s not the point I am hoping to make here. See that word following the question? It’s a consequence word. I mean the word THEN follows something else that’s already happened, right? Do you see anything recorded between the question mark (?) and the word then? Neither do I but I am imagining!

Because Martha said THEN I am thinking she saw something. She saw something in JESUS that told her He did care. Why else say THEN? I am thinking she saw great love and compassion in His eyes looking right at her. She knew He cared BUT at that moment perhaps she was still so distracted she still just wanted JESUS to do things HER way. She wanted her situation alleviated. She wanted help,  her way.

I really can’t fault Martha. It often takes me some time to re-focus and breathe in His love, compassion; His perfection in knowing what’s best for me. Sooner or later I relinquish the distraction of ME. Today I shall work on the SOONER. :)

2019, A Quick Hello, Questions, Revelation, What does GOD Want to do for me?

How Much

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For this last little while I have been thinking about how much; how much time do I have left here. The number of funerals (memorial services) I have attended has increased over the last decade – it comes with the territory – aging.

Truth. I don’t know how much time I have. None of us know for certain. I know I don’t have as much left as I have spent. I know that for sure. I mean I am really confident I shall not still be walking this planet come 2086 — or will I? That is if I take in the account of the millennial reign of my JESUS! Wow! That puts a whole new perspective on this how much time do I have left!

. . .  and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Just in case you want to read the whole of it, you may HERE.

 

2019, For What It's Worth To You, Gospel of John, Just Chatty Today, Questions

Second

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3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3 source

Wednesday night’s message at FBCS was good – John 3:1-21

I have a note in the margin of John 3: we must have a second birth to avoid the second death. You will find the second death mentioned only a few times in the KJV of the Bible but those few are enough to send the warning that we all want to miss it! See HERE.

Obviously, we all have had the first birth and perhaps the second — if you visit here often! :)

The first birth brings us into this natural world.  The second into the REAL world – the Kingdom of GOD.

Nicodemus had questions. Nicodemus was a learned man who did not understand spiritual matters. Nicodemus is not alone.  So were/are we until we are ready to be shown by the HOLY SPIRIT.  John 3 with the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT explains it perfectly to every willing soul. Read it for yourself. HERE

The second death is reserved for those who choose not the second birth.

It’s simple really.
Born once, die twice.
Born twice, die once.

Got it?

2019, For What It's Worth To You, Questions, Titus

Once Were, Still Are

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OMG! That’s oh my goodness.

Titus 3. The first three verses are as 21st Century as we can get!

Titus 3 Amplified Bible (AMP) Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good, 2 to slander or abuse no one, to be kind and conciliatory and gentle, showing unqualified consideration and courtesy toward everyone. 3 For we too once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various sinful desires and pleasures, spending and wasting our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.  source

Verse 1. First two words: Remind People. Do you think Paul knew we the people needed to be reminded to obey and respect the police and authorities who have been established to keep peace and order in the land? Does verse one say to do otherwise is not good?

Verse 2. Do you see that list of actions, beginning with an action to not take and then moving into positive actions that we are to offer to a select few? NO. It says, everyone! Yes. I’m afraid so. Everyone!  Whether we like them or not, hold the same world view or not and heaven-forbid is not of the same political party.

No slander. No abuse. Instead be kind, conciliatory, gentle, unqualified consideration, courtesy.
Don’t you dare think this means doormat!
Today, in this culture, kindness is not hinged on truth but comfort – making all parties of the exchange comfortable. This is not Biblical kindness. Biblical kindness does no harm. It promotes not only the happiness of another but also their well-being. Lying or withholding eternal truth from another soul is in no measure kind.

Moreover, I found this:
Yet human imitation of God’s kindness does not come naturally. In fact, ultimately no one is kind (Psalm 14: 3; Rom 3:12 ). It is only as the fruit of God’s Spirit that kindness can be a consistent part of the believer’s experience ( Gal 5:22 ).  source

Wow! Does this mean to carry out this list of positive actions we must be yielded to the HOLY SPIRIT?
What do you think?

Verse 3. Do you see that word too? Hold on to it, it’s real important. Look again at the list in verse 3.
foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various sinful desires and pleasures, spending and wasting our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 
The reason for the establishment of rules and authorities in verse 1 is the list of behaviors in verse 3. And why do people behave in these ways? That’s an easy answer: failure to yield to the HOLY SPIRIT.
Now, back to the word too.

 For we too once were. And without continued yielding to the HOLY SPIRIT, we will easily slip back into some of those behaviors. Thus this instruction in Titus: REMIND PEOPLE.

WE are the People he’s reminding – the once were, not the still are. And unless we are KIND the still are will not come to be the once were.