T.J.I.F.A.
THANK JESUS IT’S FRIDAY AGAIN!
PASS IT ON… & ON… & ON… & ON!
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010
READERS, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE ARE IN THE SPRING SEASON. WE’VE HAD A HARSH
WINTER, BUT WE DID SURVIVE TO WELCOME SPRING OF 2010…GIVE GOD PRAISE! ENJOY!
SUBJECT: “DID HE BORROW?”
NOTEWORTHY: HAVE YOU SEEN JESUS? OSWALD CHAMBERS
TJIFA’S BOOK SHELF: THE BOOK OF 1ST PETER
REVELATION? YOU TOOK MY PARKING PLACE AT CHURCH, SUNDAY.
QUICK QUOTES: VARIOUS CONTRIBUTORS AND QUOTATIONS
MILL STONE… FORBID THEM NOT! COOKIES WITHIN REACH
T.O.T.T. (THINK ON THESE THINGS) THE BIBLE & THE TV GUIDE
TESTIMONY TIME: SUNDAY SCHOOL (CONVERSATION WITH BMCC)
FRIDAY’S WORD: ‘BORROW’
IN THE MIRROR: HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE, “GOD’S ECONOMY?”
O TASTE AND SEE! TER’S ROASTED LAMB AND VEGETABLES – ENJOY!
LOOKING FORWARD
SEE YA NEXT TIME!
TER & STAFF
DID HE BORROW . . . ?
“Borrow in Hebrew culture indicated economic hardship, not a strategy for
expanding business or household.” (From: Holman’s Bible Dictionary)
Joseph and Mary, the parents of Jesus, traveled to Bethlehem and when they arrived,
there were no rooms. Mary was ready to give birth to her first born
child, Jesus.
Luke 2:7 (KJV)
7”And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
No one was looking for their King to come, born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling
clothes.
Question: Did the parents of Jesus pay for this space or did they borrow it? It
seems by all modern standards that it was possible that this small space
was lent to them rather than rented; but there is no indication, so just for the
brunt of this article we’ll say that the space was borrowed. If borrowed,
then it will stand in need of restitution or restoration, according to Hebrew
law. Jesus is the total fulfillment of the law and the prophets, representing
everything that yearns for repayment, refund, pay-back, restitution, and/or restoration.
Jesus’ return is expressed in the passage in which He said, “ . .
. I go to prepare a place for you . . .” (John 14:1-4). No one who receives
Jesus as
his Lord and Savior ever has to worry about where they will lay their head. There
will never come a time when He hasn’t provided for you. He is the Provider.
Did He borrow the water-pots?
The first recorded miracle in the gospel of John reveals the mother of Jesus needing
more wine at a wedding festival (John 2:1- 11). Jesus used or borrowed
the water pots to change the water into wine, and to then render “…the
good wine” (v.10). This miracle caused His disciples to believe on Him (v.11).
The water to wine miracle speaks volumes regarding the availability and quality
of the Blood that Jesus would later shed for all men. All men would enjoy
its “good” benefits, unlike the previous wine, according to the Governor
of the Feast. It seems that the borrowing or use of these water-pots was well
compensated due to the high quality of its contents.
Did He borrow the Samaritan woman’s water-pot?
John 4:9-42 ; Jesus engaged conversation with this Samaritan woman, asking her
for a drink from Jacob’s Well. She informed Him of her race, and the obvious
fact that He had no pot with which to draw the water (v.9). Jesus told the woman
about ‘Living Water’ (v.10).
He told her about her past and present life, (v.18) and then revealed His identity
to her (v.26).
The woman marveled in His sayings; she left her water-pot (v.28) and ran to tell
the men. “Come; see a man, which told me all things that ever I did:
Is not this the Christ?”
(John 4:28).
The Samaritan woman left her water-pot behind with Jesus and His disciples because
she had found something of far greater value. The seemingly insignificant
meeting with Jesus and the Samaritan woman provided for many others, belief in
Jesus; not because of what she said, but; John 4:41, 42 (KJV) 41And many
more believed because of his own word;
42”And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for
we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour
of the world.”
NOTE: For a supposed drink of water, and an abandoned water-pot, Jesus exchanged
and freely gave ‘Living Water’ to an otherwise set-aside nation of
people.
Have you ever been in a strange setting, and someone picks up your favorite pen?
You wait and watch, but it doesn’t seem like the pen is ever going to
return to you again.
How do you ask for it back? Do you say, “May I borrow your pen? Or do you
say, “May I use this pen?” Or do you send someone else for it, telling
them
just how to ask for it? You may say, “Tell him that your Master has need
for it.” Or even, “Ask him where shall I and my disciples eat the
Passover?”
All of these types of requests seem rather crude, until you realize one Truth:
John 1:1-4 (KJV)
1”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.
2The same was in the beginning with God.
3All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
“ALL THINGS WERE MADE BY HIM!”
Did He Borrow? If He made all things, and all things belong to Him, it would seem
impossible for Him to borrow. He even gave back the tomb of Joseph
Arimathea, swept clean by angels, and opened so that all could see, that He is
Risen, just as He said.
Did the owner of the pen have or need to borrow the pen back, or was it his to
receive back or even to take back? Satan stole from GOD, in the Garden
of Eden. God sent His Son, Jesus, not to borrow, but to take back that which belongs
to Him. In this process, man is restored to ‘Right-Standing’ in
Christ, Jesus.
We owed a debt that we could not pay, and Jesus paid a debt that He did not owe.
Did He borrow? The answer is No. Jesus came to earth to take back that which was
stolen in the fall. His ransomed Blood paid it all . . . in full.
Looking Forward
See Ya Next Time!
TER
NOTEWORTHY: ‘HAVE YOU SEEN JESUS?’
April 14, 2010
Have You Seen Jesus?
“After that, He appeared in another form to two of them …” (Mark
16:12).
Being saved and seeing Jesus are not the same thing. Many people who have never
seen Jesus have received and share in God’s grace. But once you have seen
Him, you can never be the same. Other things will not have the appeal they did
before.
You should always recognize the difference between what you see Jesus to be and
what He has done for you. If you see only what He has done for you, your
God is not big enough. But if you have had a vision, seeing Jesus as He really
is, experiences can come and go, yet you will endure “as seeing Him who
is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27). The man who was blind from birth did not
know who Jesus was until Christ appeared and revealed Himself to him (see John
9). Jesus appears to those for whom He has done something, but we cannot order
or predict when He will come. He may appear suddenly, at any turn. Then
you can exclaim, “Now I see Him!” (see John 9:25).
Jesus must appear to you and to your friend individually; no one can see Jesus
with your eyes. And division takes place when one has seen Him and the other
has not. You cannot bring your friend to the point of seeing; God must do it.
Have you seen Jesus? If so, you will want others to see Him too. “And they
went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either” (Mark
16:13). When you see Him, you must tell, even if they don’t believe.
O could I tell, you surely would believe it!
O could I only say what I have seen!
How should I tell or how can you receive it,
How, till He bringeth you where I have been?
From: “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers
TJIFA’S BOOK SHELF: THE BOOK OF FIRST PETERTHE HOLY BIBLE
In March 2010 we rolled into the Book of First Peter on the Bible Bus. While writing
this article for TJIFA, it is with great determination that I am
careful to report to our Readers that this Book is most important to anyone who
has ever had any kind of suffering in this life. We always commit and
even limit suffering to pain in the flesh, however, there are other kinds of suffering.
There are people who suffer, and cannot tell you where it hurts.
The pain of life is so deep, that placing it in any one aspect is impossible.
Peter deals with the suffering of the human proportion extremely well, and Dr.
McGee serves it in language appropriate to Readers of the Bible, who truly
desire to know the meat of the Word of GOD. Here are some quotes from Dr. McGee.
-The theme of First Peter is: “The Christian Hope in the time of trial.”
-Peter has a great deal to say about the suffering of Christ.
-Peter speaks out of a rich experience with suffering.
-Peter has been called an ignorant fisherman; but no man who has spent 3 years
in the school of Jesus could be called ignorant.
-Peter deals with doctrine and handles weighty subjects.
-The subjects include: the great doctrines of election, foreknowledge, sanctification,
obedience, the Blood of Christ, The Trinity, the Grace of GOD, Salvation,
Revelation, Glory, Faith, and Hope. (He is by no means an ignorant fisherman.)
-While writing of suffering he emphasizes joy.
-He began impetuous and ended patient. (After encountering and staying with Jesus.)
-Peter’s Epistles are written very literally and practically. He did not
write symbolically.
-It is argued that Peter went to Rome; however Dr. McGee states that Peter wrote
from Babylon, not Rome; but that Paul went to Rome. (This is a theological
debate, of which this Newsletter has no input.)
-Peter went east, and Paul went west.
-Peter has been called the Apostle of HOPE, Paul is called the Apostle of FAITH,
and John is called the Apostle of LOVE.
Some of the cost of standing for Christ as a Minister of GOD:
Persecution, problems in the congregation, and even death of a loved one.
All of the above information on the first Book of Peter is taken from the web
page of Through the Bible ORG. This excerpt is found in the section on notes,
on the New Testament.
NOTE: Readers, we can’t emphasize the importance of getting a good grip
on the Word of GOD. It is everything that you need in this time of trouble. In
the past, we could look forward to gaining employment or some kind of relief.
Now, we will have to depend, as did the Children in the Wilderness, on the
Grace of Almighty GOD. Question: Can He provide for you? Can He heal you? Can
He provide shelter in a storm, and water in the desert? Then, He’s the
one you should trust. Remember that Jeremiah said:
5”Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh
flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. 6For he shall be like
the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit
the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8For
he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her
roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be
green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease
from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:5-8).
TER
REVELATION? YOU TOOK MY PARKING SPACE AT CHURCH.
(This should wake us up.)
One day a man went to visit a church; he got there early, parked his car and got
out. Another car pulled up near the driver and said, “I always park
there, you took my place.”
The visitor went inside for Sunday school, found an empty seat, and sat down.
A young lady from the Church approached him and stated, “That’s my
seat.
You took my place.” The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome,
but said nothing.
After Sunday school, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another
member walked up to him and said, “That’s where I always sit. You
took
my place!” The visitor was even more troubled at this response, but still
he said nothing.
Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor
stood up, and His appearance began to change. Horrible scars became
visible on His hands, and on His sandaled feet. Someone in the Congregation noticed
Him and called out, “What happened to You?” The visitor replied,
as His hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from His eye, “I TOOK
YOUR PLACE.”
Submitted by: CR; from the Internet, who desires that we say a prayer . . . that’s
all, and pass it on.
John 20:26-31;
26”And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with
them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said,
Peace be unto you. 27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold
my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and
be not faithless, but believing. 28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord
and my God. 29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me,
thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples,
which are not written in this book: 31But these are written, that ye might believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might
have life through his name.”
QUICK QUOTES:
“Our focus should not be looking for the open door as much as being ready
to go through it when GOD opens it.”
“If you can’t pray a door open, don’t prey it open.” Lyell
Rader
“To obey GOD’S Will is to find the fulfillment of our lives.”
David Watson
From: Turning Point Online Newsletter 4-2-10
Something to think about…
“If there’s one spot I’d like to have been during the ministry
of Our Lord, it would have been on the Emmaus Road. To have heard Him, beginning
with Moses
and going through the entire Old Testament, giving the Scriptures concerning Himself.”
From: “One of the Many Infallible Proofs of the Resurrection.”
By: Dr. J. Vernon McGee.
Submitted by: BMcC
Thomas Jefferson once asked, “Can the liberties of a Nation be secure, when
we have removed the conviction that these liberties are the gift of GOD?”
MILLSTONE …FORBID THEM NOT! PUT THE COOKIES WITHIN REACH.
John 21:14-19;
14”This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples,
after that he was risen from the dead.
15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest
thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that
I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16He saith to him again the second
time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord;
thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17He saith unto
him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved
because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him,
Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith
unto him, Feed my sheep. 18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young,
thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wildest: but when thou
shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee,
and carry thee whither thou wildest not. 19This spake he, signifying by
what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him,
Follow me.”
Every mother knows what it is like to place an item within reach of her child.
In fact, when your toddler starts to walk and explore, the best way to
encourage eating is to place the plastic plate in the seat of a chair, and give
him liberty to feed himself at his own leisure. This practice accomplishes
several needed tasks.
-The child eats the vegetables, because he is hungry, and acquires a taste for
them.
-The child is not sitting still, wiggling and complaining about the sedentary
life style just to get nutrition.
-The child begins to know independence and Mom gets a very small break.
NOTE: (Make sure Dad doesn’t sit in the plate, not expecting it to be in
the seat of the chair.)
This practice is called ‘placing the cookies within reach.’
A few months ago this unique practice was referred to by our Radio Teacher, Dr.
McGee. He said that some of his colleagues told him that he taught with
clarity and simplicity. His response was somewhat like the following.
If you want the child to get the cookies, you must put them on the lower shelf.
Jesus called Peter to feed His sheep, not His giraffes. So we place this
Word where it is within easy reach of all.”
Readers, this is such a powerful thought. You may hear and see the name of Dr.
McGee a lot in this Newsletter; but it is because his method of teaching
the Word of GOD is without words that can be misunderstood, or misrepresentation
leaning toward cultish predominance. We need understanding of the Truth
of the Word of GOD, not misrepresentation aimed at gobbling us up, in an attempt
to gratify an insatiable lust. So when you see the initials, J.
V. McG, or Dr. J. Vernon McGee, you’ll know that you are hearing from our
World Wide Teacher and Expounder of the Word of GOD, and we are pleased to pass
on his knowledge to our Readers. TER
Psalms 19:7 - 10 (KJV) 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes
of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired
are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey
and the honeycomb.
THINK ON THESE THINGS ‘THE BIBLE AND THE TV GUIDE’
On the table, side by side,
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide.
One is well worn but cherished with pride,
Not the Bible but the TV Guide.
One is used daily to help folks decide,
No it isn’t the Bible, it’s the TV Guide.
As pages are turned, what shall they see?
Oh what does it matter, turn on the TV.
Then confusion reigns, they can’t all agree,
On what they shall watch on the old TV.
So, they open the book, in which they confide,
No, not the Bible, it’s the TV Guide.
The Word of GOD is seldom read,
Maybe a verse, ere they fall into bed.
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,
Not from reading the
Bible, from watching TV.
So then, back to the table, side by side,
Is the Holy Bible, and the TV Guide.
No time for prayer, no time for the word,
The plan of Salvation is seldom heard.
Forgiveness of sin so full and free,
Is found in the Bible, not on TV.
Read by: Dr. J. Vernon McGee
We are often reminded that life is short and time is fleeting. So, Christians
are foolish to spend their time in the pleasures that filled their lives
before they came to Christ. For instance, how much time do you spend in the Word
of Christ, as compared to watching Television?
TTB Radio Broadcast 4-1-10
NOTE: EXCUSES…
For the things we need to do and don’t we make an excuse.
For the things we should do, but don’t, we make an excuse.
For the things we do, after great deliberation, we make an excuse.
For the things we desire to do, we make an excuse.
For a faulty excuse, we make an excuse.
O Fool, your trunk of excuses is empty.
Search as you can, there is not even one more excuse.
Still looking, your time is up and you hear these Words.
“Depart from Me Ye Worker of Iniquity.”
No Excuse!
TER
TESTIMONY TIME: SUNDAY SCHOOL
Recently, I had conversation with one of the TJIFA writers. We talked about a
beloved subject . . . Sunday school.
Do you remember Sunday school? Why is it that we don’t hear much about it
anymore? Why is it that on Sunday morning we see children dressed casually and
not carrying a Bible? Do you think that maybe, just maybe, the absence of Sunday
school in the main course of life is the cause? What did they teach
in Sunday school?
As we talked, we realized that many core principles were bound and ground in the
hour before regular Church, called Sunday school.
We were taught to be kind to one another; that would exclude gang attacks, and
bullying.
We were taught to wear your best clothes; that would exclude wearing your pants
too low, or your skirts too high.
We were taught not to steal; that would exclude breaking into homes, busting out
plate glass windows, grabbing purses, and snatching and grabbing things
that don’t belong to you.
We were taught to respect our elders; this would exclude from our culture, taking
Grandma’s social security check, or Grandpa’s hard earned pension
check.
We were taught to give to Jesus; this would exclude pimps and prostitutes because
our money was the fruit of our labor.
We were taught to praise GOD; this would exclude the negative thumping acid rocking
music, and the negative lyrics of RAP.
We were taught to bow down and worship GOD, only; this would exclude this high
regard for Hollywood stars, and famous people. It would exclude this great
regard for sports heroes; this would also exclude self aggrandizement; (Making
something seem greater than it actually is) Because GOD said that He will
have no other gods before Him.
We were taught to say and memorize Scripture; this would exclude foul mouth cursing
and purposeful slandering of others. We were taught “The Lord’s Prayer;”
“The 23rd Psalms;” “The Apostle’s Creed;” “The
91st Psalm;” “The Beatitudes,” and so much more.
Sunday school built our character toward well rounded Christian Citizens.
Readers, is it too late to bring Sunday school back?
Thanks BMcC for a wonderful time reminiscing.
TER
FRIDAY’S WORD:
BORROW In Hebrew culture borrowing indicated economic hardship, not a strategy
for expanding business or household. (See Lev. 25:35-37, which assumes that
borrowers are poor.) In Deuteronomy God’s blessings of prosperity was understood
to exclude the need to borrow (15:6; 26:12). Thus poverty was not considered
to be a desirable situation for anyone in the covenant community. The dire straits
requiring borrowing are illustrated in Nehemiah 5:1-5. With typical
shifts in fortune, borrowing was common practice in Hebrew society, and rules
were needed so that the poor were not victimized by creditors. Laws for restitution
were also established for borrowed property that was damaged (Ex. 22:14-15).
In Matthew 5:42, Jesus cites generosity “from him that would borrow of thee”
as one example of an unexpected, loving response (instead of the typical self-protective
response) to others’ demands and abuses. In each example (5:38-42) the disciple’s
primary concern is the other person, not protecting one’s own vested
interests. The second person singular in verse 42 makes clear the personal nature
of this response to the would-be borrower. This passage is part of Jesus’
consistent emphasis on absolute loyalty to the way of God’s kingdom, which
necessitates a carefree regard for one’s possessions (Matt. 6:24-34) and
personal
security (Matt. 5:43-48) as one unselfishly loves the neighbor.
David Nelson Duke
IN THE MIRROR:
I went to study about “God’s economy” before the realization
struck me that in order to study this concept or to write about it, you must first
have at
least a catholic idea of what people are hearing and what is actually being communicated
when they’re told of “God’s economy.” What did I come
up with
as a consequence to this dilemma?
I’m glad you asked!
Since the words, “God’s economy” are two words coined together,
I wanted to see if I could get much help from Encarta Dictionary starting with
the single
use of the word ‘economy:
1. effectiveness: efficiency and conservation of effort in the operation or achievement
of something
a graceful economy of movement
2. financial affairs: the production and consumption of goods and services of
a community regarded as a whole
a gradual shift from an agricultural to an industrial economy
3. reduced expenditure: a financial saving, or an attempt to reduce expenditure
need to make economies
4. thrift: the prudent managing of resources to avoid extravagant expenditure
or waste
Getting the feeling that there wasn’t much spirituality there, I knew God
wanted so much more said than just our human approach to something that millions
are affected by in the world today. I want to say that I believe due to the state
of economy we are faced with today, this could be found one of the most
advantageous times to view God’s perspective on matters at hand. Though
anything that is stated in this article may have political overtones, relax, because
I don’t believe God has sat me down to set any type of focus on anything
except what you will gain as an individual, who is set aside, and sanctified in
Christ Jesus. Christian articles and newsletters, regardless of the topic, should
be Christ-centered.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 (KJV) 13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for
you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen
you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
The Christian should always start off in a position of advantage, although we
admittedly begin with very little of what that ‘advantage’ looks like
when
everything else seems to be tumbling all around us. In reading the Bible, I believe
that’s what Romans 8:28 (KJV) is all about. “28And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose.” We should be careful to make sure of the inclusion
of, “And we know . . .” The reason I stress this point is because
I have heard so many people quote this passage by beginning with the word, “all.”
The
reason I believe Paul could make such an inclusive affirmation is because his
reference goes all the way back to Romans 1st chapter. If you go back and
read this area, I believe the next time you may quote Romans 8:28, there will
be a new boldness and assurance that your whole life will be affected by
it.
If ‘God’s economy’ is, “1. effectiveness: efficiency and
conservation of effort in the operation or achievement of something,” I
say, “Wow,” because of
the fact that since it is ‘God’s,’ that means to me that it
has to be on a higher plane, or level than man’s (economy). In borrowing
the use of the word,
“operation,” it puts me in mind of the work, (operation) of the Holy
Spirit in the life of the Believer. John 14:26 (KJV) 26But the Comforter, which
is
the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things,
and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto
you. Philippians 1:6 (KJV) 6Being confident of this very thing, that he which
hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
— That’s achievement! Do you think sometimes that God wants to perform
things in our lives, and we ofttimes find ourselves getting in the way? Maybe!
—
Just food for thought!
God is a perfect financier when it comes to “ 2. financial affairs.”
Think about how He teaches us so early on in our Christian life; Matthew 6:19
- 20
(KJV) 19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves
do not break through nor steal: Acts 20:35 (KJV) 35I have showed you all
things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the
words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to
receive.— Did anyone notice I didn’t mention ‘tithe,’
or ‘tithing’ here?’ Well, it’s a good reason for it; because
there is so much abuse in communicating
proper doctrine connected to this ‘God-given’ privilege that there’s
no need for me to go that route now. When you learn to love the Lord, you can’t
help
but give as much as you can toward the furtherance of the gospel, at whatever
personal sacrifice to you. I have never known one person who gave to the
Lord who did not experience a happier life, free of all the things that breed
greed, selfishness and the things that reflect those characteristics. You’ll
be pleased to know how tithing is only the beginning of what its like to learn
how to live a life of giving.
This is a good spot for, “3. reduced expenditure,” because we just
mentioned giving. Your personal economy has a lot to do with how you handle your
relationship
with God. I recently shared a concept along these lines referring to how God acts
in behalf of our giving. I purposely won’t use a particular foible because
I have no desire to attack anyone’s practice that they feel totally comfortable
with. Mine were smoking, drinking, gambling, and others in which I’m too
shame to mention. When I began tithing and giving to God’s work nearly forty
years ago, I would gradually realize that God would deliver me from not only
the cost of these things, but He was obviously interested in my overall physical,
mental and spiritual health at the same time. So a ‘reduced expenditure’
could mean that there is more money available to deal with more important matters.
Allow me to inject a little humor using; 1Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) “13There
hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful,
who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will
with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Operative word, “temptation.” Many times, (too many) over the highways
I was ‘tempted’ to place my foot on the accelerator heavier than the
law agreed to in all the wrong places, and I’ll let you guess the corresponding
results,
— which really could have made traveling a whole lot cheaper for me (reduced
expenditure).
We come down to the word, “4. thrift: the prudent managing of resources
to avoid extravagant expenditure or waste.” For that, is it okay if we go
to the
highest level of ‘waste?’ and that being a human life. I have learned
more from Pastor John’s books, tapes, and writings in recent years than
I could ever
tell you. This is a must read:
Taken from Pastor John Piper’s book, ‘DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE
– STUDY GUIDE’ pages 58-59, CROSSWAY BOOKS.
One of the unlikeliest men to attend the Itinerant Evangelist Conference in Amsterdam
sponsored by the Billy Graham Association was a Masai Warrior named
Joseph. But his story won him a hearing with Dr. Graham himself. The story is
told by Michael Card.
“One day, Joseph, who was walking along one of these hot, dirty African
roads, met someone who shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with him. Then and there
he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The power of the Spirit began transforming
his life; he was filled with such excitement and joy that the first
thing he wanted to do was return to his own village and share the same Good News
with the member of his local tribe.
Joseph began going from door-to-door, telling everyone he met about the Cross
of Jesus and the salvation it offered, expecting to see their faces light
up the way his had. To his amazement the villagers not only didn’t care,
they became violent. The men of the village seized him and held him to the ground
while the women beat him with strands of barbed wire. He was dragged from the
village and left to die alone in the bush.
Joseph somehow managed to crawl to a waterhole, and there, after days of passing
in and out of consciousness, found the strength to get up. He wondered
about the hostile reception he had received from people he had known all his life.
He decided he must have left something out or told the story of Jesus
incorrectly. After rehearsing the message he had first heard, he decided to go
back and share his faith once more.
Joseph limped into the circle of huts and began to proclaim Jesus. ‘He died
for you, so that you might find forgiveness and come to know the living God,’
he pleaded. Again he was grabbed by the men of the village and held while the
women beat him, reopening wounds that had just begun to heal. Once more they
dragged him unconscious from the village and left him to die.
To have survived the first beating was truly remarkable. To live through the second
was a miracle. Again, days later, Joseph awoke in the wilderness,
bruised, scarred— and determined to go back.
He returned to the small village and this time, they attacked him before he had
a chance to open his mouth. As they flogged him for the third and probably
the last time, he again spoke the them of Jesus Christ, the Lord. Before he passed
out, the last thing he saw was that the women who were beating him began
to weep.
This time he awoke in his own bed. The ones who had so severely beaten him were
now trying to save his life and nurse him back to health. The entire village
had come to Christ.” — Excerpts taken from, Let the Nations Be Glad,
pages 93-94.
As I read this with tears running down my face, I couldn’t resist two major
thoughts, and that is; 1.) I couldn’t help but fully understand why he was
relentless,
and so compelled to “return to his own village and share the same Good News
. . .” because there was no doubt that these were the people he grew up
with,
and no undoubtedly loved very much.
2.) I also had to expose my heart to the reality that the very people that you
believe will receive you, embrace you, and love you for sharing the greatest
‘love story’ that will bring us all out of every misery we will think
or imagine, are the same people that would rather see you destroyed just because
something in them just doesn’t want to hear from God, or anything you know
and learn, and love about Him. — That can make you cry!
In closing; I read on a front license plate yesterday these words: “God
Is; God Can; God Will.” Question; In this economy, and in your own estimation,
what “Is” God to you? What “Can” He do for you? And is
what He “Will” do according to your finite mind, or His infinite Wisdom?
It is His ‘infinite’ wisdom
that brings us our Bible, but we cannot afford to pick and choose what we want,
and totally reject that which we find ‘unappealing.’ (That’s
a euphemism!)
It’s my prayer that the next time you have occasion to think about the
‘economy’ and the condition the world finds itself in today, you’ll
give thought
to the fact that God didn’t leave us vulnerable to the natural environment
and all its destructive components, including death itself. John 17:15 - 17
(KJV) 15I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that
thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16They are not of the world, even as
I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
When you no longer find God’s Word, and the Cross that Jesus bore for
our sins as the only foundational truth, you will find an alternative, but will
that
alternative surpass “God’s Economy?” That’s a question
only you can answer in your own life. God Bless, SLC
O TASTE AND SEE!
ROASTED LAMB WITH VEGETABLES
REGARDING THE ROASTED LAMB RECIPE:
READERS, FOR RESURRECTION SUNDAY’S MEAL, I DECIDED TO ROAST A PORTION
OF A LEG OF LAMB. WHILE PREPARING THE MEAT FOR THE ROASTING PAN, I RECALLED
A CONVERSATION
WITH MY BROTHER ABOUT ROASTING VEGETABLES AND MEAT, SO THE DECISION WAS MADE
TO PUT SOME VEGETABLES ON THIS LOVELY MEAT. THE RECIPE WAS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS.
HERE IS THE ROASTED LAMB FROM THE KITCHEN OF TER…ENJOY!
INGREDIENTS:
CUT OF LEG OF LAMB – 5 OR 6 LBS. THAWED, AND RINSED.
1 ONION SLICED, GARLIC MINCED 1 TBLSP.
SALT, PEPPER TO TASTE
1 TBLSP. OREGANO, 1 TBLSP. BASIL,
5 YUKON GOLD POTATOES WASHED AND CUBED, LARGE SIZES.
2 CUPS MINI CARROTS WHOLE
JALAPENO PEPPER (VERY SMALL PIECE)
DIRECTIONS: HEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES F.
PLACE LAMB INTO AN IRON DUTCH OVEN.
ADD ALL VEGETABLES.
ADD ALL SEASONINGS.
(DO NOT ADD WATER TO THIS POT) PUT LID ON DUTCH OVEN, AND PLACE IN THE CENTER
OF THE OVEN RACK.
COOK FOR 3 HOURS UNTIL FORK INSERTED ACTS LIKE BUTTER.
NOW THIS IS A REAL POT OF GOODNESS. THANKS WS, FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS.
BONUS! RECIPE…
O TASTE AND SEE!
TASTY & QUICK APPLE CRISP
INGREDIENTS:
9 APPLES PEELED, SLICED AND CORED
1 CUP SUGAR; 1 TSP. CINNAMON
1 TSP. VANILLA (OPTIONAL)
1½ CUP ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
2 STICKS BUTTER
DIRECTIONS:
PREHEAT OVEN 350 DEGREES F.
IN MIXING BOWL; CUT BUTTER INTO FLOUR UNTIL RESEMBLES LITTLE PEAS OR SMALLER;
SET ASIDE.
IN GLASS BAKING PAN, ARRANGE SLICED APPLES. DOT THE APPLES WITH THE VANILLA
(OPTIONAL).
SPRINKLE APPLES WITH CINNAMON. YOU CAN GRATE A LITTLE LEMON ZEST OVER THE APPLES
AT THIS POINT, OR ZEST UP THE FLOUR MIXTURE, EITHER WAY THIS IS OPTIONAL.
SPRINKLE SUGAR EVENLY OVER ENTIRE PAN OF APPLES.
NOW SPRINKLE THIS PAN OF APPLES WITH THE PREPARED FLOUR AND BUTTER MIXTURE.
PLACE IN OVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES, OR UNTIL APPLES ARE TENDER.
SERVE THIS WONDERFUL TASTY CRISP WITH A BIG SCOOP OF ICE CREAM FOR YOUR RESURRECTION
DESSERT AND…ENJOY!
TER