There are many valleys in the scriptures. Life itself is made up of valleys, mountains, rivers, lakes, and oceans to cross. Dottie Rambo wrote a song about: "One more river to cross, one more mountain to climb. There's one more valley that I gotta go thru leavin' my troubles behind!" I believe she also wrote "In The Valley He Restoreth My Soul." In the Bible we read about the Valley of Death. We also learn that Samson met a woman named Delilah in the Valley of Sorok. The name tranlsated from Hebrew means "vine." Our earthly as well as our heavenly journey consist of many obstacles, trials, and paths we must cross. Every thing we go through is a lesson to be learned.
One of the most important valleys is the valley of decision in Joel 3:12, 14. Commentaries - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible -
Joel 3:12
Let the Heathen be awakened, and come to the valley of Jehoshaphat That is, let the enemies of Christ and his church be aroused from that state of security in which they are, and prepare for their own defence; for in such a state the antichristian powers will be before their destruction; see ( Revelation 18:7 ) ; let them bestir themselves, and exert all the rigour and strength they have; let them come in high spirits against the people of God; let them invade the holy land, and come even to the valley of Jehoshaphat; and, when come thither, let them, descend into the place appointed for their ruin: the land of Judea being said to be higher than other countries, going to it is generally expressed by going up to it; otherwise it is more usual to say that men go down a valley than come up to it; and, mention being made again of this valley, shows that the same thing is referred to here as in ( Joel 3:2 ) ; these words are said in answer to the petition in ( Joel 3:11 ) ; for they are spoken by the Lord, as appears by what follows:
for there will I sit to judge all the Heathen round about; thither gathered together from all parts: the allusion is to a judge upon the bench, sitting to hear and try causes, and pass a definitive sentence; and here it signifies the execution of that sentence; such a pleading the cause of his people, as to take vengeance and inflict just punishment upon their enemies; see ( Psalms 9:4Psalms 9:5 ) ( Revelation 14:14 ) .
Joel 3:14
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision The same with the valley of Jehoshaphat before mentioned; which shows that not any valley of that name is intended, but a certain place so called from the judgments of God in it; and here named "the valley of decision", because here their judgment will be determined, as Kimchi and Jarchi; and at this time the controversy between God, and his people's enemies, will be decided, and at an end: or "the valley of concision", as the Vulgate Latin version; because in this place, and at this time, the nations gathered together in it will be cut to pieces: or, as others, "the valley of threshing" F16; because, as, in Jehoshaphat's time, the Moabites and Ammonites were threshed by the Jews in the valley of Berachah, to which the allusion is; so at this time the antichristian kings and their armies will be threshed and beaten, and destroyed by the men of Judah, God's professing people; see ( Micah 4:13 ) ; these seem to be the words of the prophet, breaking out into this pathetic exclamation, upon a sight of the vast multitudes gathered together in this valley, and slain in it; and the doubling of the word serves to express the prodigious number of them: and this shows that this prophecy refers either to the vast army of the Turks, under the name of Gog, and the great slaughter that will be made of them; and that this valley may be the same with the valley of Hamongog, that is, the valley of the multitude of Gog, where their multitude of slain shall be buried, ( Ezekiel 39:11 ) ; or to that vast carnage of the antichristian kings and their armies at Armageddon, ( Revelation 16:14Revelation 16:16 ) ( 19:18-21 ) ; the Targum is,
``armies, armies, in the valley of the division of judgment:''
for the day of the Lord [is] near in the valley of decision; that is, the great and terrible day of the Lord, to take vengeance on all the antichristian powers, both eastern and western, is nigh at hand, which will be done in this valley.
I have heard this preached as an evangelical sermon however in light of Gill's comments it probably is as he has studied. Jesus Christ had not yet come into the world at the time of Joel's prophecy.
There are many mentions of the word valley in the scriptures! Encarta World Dictionary defines it as:
NOUN
1.
low-lying area: a long low area of land, often with a river or stream running through it, that is surrounded by higher ground
2.
low-lying land around river: a large area of low-lying land around a river and its tributaries
3.
valley-shaped hollow: a long sunken area or groove shaped like a valley
4.
architecture angle between roof slopes: the angle formed where two slopes of a roof meet
[ 13th century. Via Old French valee < Latin valles "valley" ]
The word paradigm implies many things. Please read the references below before you read the rest of this article!
How does it apply in the scriptures concerning God and His kingdom. First of all it refers to God, His dwelling place and authority ast the matrix from which all things proceed. Heaven is the abode where Christ who is the ultimate sits at the right hand of the Father. He portrays the image or thought patterns of God to us. He is the effigy that reveals to us that God is our Father. God was in Christ reconciling the world back unto Himself. He is the archetype of God revealing Him to the world. Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, is our pattern and model to follow. The will "plan" of God is based on this premise! He is our example and the standard we adhere to. Our salvation is gauged on the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this, he is exemplar and the mirror our lives are reflected in. I pray you will accept the salvation of YAHWEH God through Christ. May the Holy Spirit be your guide in life. True life comes when you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. This is the ultimate paradigm.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Main Entry:par*a*digm Pronunciation:*par-*-*d*m, -*dim Function:noun
I know you are to avoid the use of old adages but in this case that is what a proverb is. It is an adage - an old familiar saying, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. The same source says that to be proverbial is to commonly spoken of. The book of Proverbs contains instruction for us to live our daily lives. It is where we are taught to seek wisdom and knowledge above riches. We learn how to conduct ourselves in the presence of a king and many other tidbits are available to assist us. I love Proverbs 31 where it tells us about a virtuous woman. My question to us is how do folks talk about us? How proverbial are we too them? I pray when we are spoken of in common places that it is for good and not evil.
I ponder in my thoughts daily, "Am I being the light to the world that I need to be?" If I feel like I am suffering is it because that I am truly the Christian I say I am? Or, is it because I have offended someone with my actions? It really is an awesome thing for someone to consider you to be a hero. Although it is nice to be important - it is more important to be nice. I read somewhere that to have friends you must show yourself friendly. This doesn't sound too much like the world we live in. A few decades ago they say about 90% of people polled were concerned about their fellow man. Probably a decade ago or so I heard that number is now changed to 10% and 90% don't care what happens to the next man. If this be true, it is a sad world we live in.
It is more important now than ever to maintain the witness of Christ. I don't want to be just an old adage but I desire to effect others with the love of God. If I am to be proverbial to the world, may it be blessing and not cursing that stems from their comments. May they see the Spirit of Christ in me! I highly recommend you read the book of Proverbs. It contains many gold nuggets for us to live by. How is it with you today fellow believers in the Christian faith? I pray your testimony is as our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who had favor with God and man!
Merriam-Webster Thesaurus -1 : MODEL : PATTERN 2 : a systematic inflection of a verb or noun showing a complete conjugation or declension –par*a*dig*mat*ic \*par-*-dig-*ma-tik\ adjective
Main Entry:model Function:noun
1 a miniature representation of something *a model of the dam that was accurate down to the last detail* Synonyms miniature, pocket edition Related Word copy, mock-up, replica, reproduction; dummy, effigy 2 something set or held before one for guidance or imitation *Samuel Johnson's literary style is often used as a model for writers seeking precision and clarity* Synonyms archetype, beau ideal, ensample, example, exemplar, ideal, mirror, paradigm, pattern, standard; compare PARAGON Related Word apotheosis, nonesuch, nonpareil, paragon; emblem, symbol, type; embodiment, epitome, quintessence; criterion, gauge, touchstone
When I speak of the name of YAHWEH it is with the highest respect. I mean no offense to any belief system. However, in my studies I have found that it is the highest name attributed to Almighty God. See, the tetragrammation is YHWH not JHVH which is only an old English rendition of the origin. The name of God was so highly revered that it was not even pronounced on the lips of men. I believe he is my heavenly Father and He it is who sent His Son, Yeshua pronounced 'yayshua' or some say it is "Yahshua," for my salvation! Know YAHWEH {the LORD}, know Yeshua "Yahsua," {Jesus}!
Grammatical plurality is applied to God in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 6:4 the word for one in Hebrew is echad which means unified {a unified one}, and not yachid which implies a numeric solitary oneness. The verse would read "Hear, O Israel! YAHWEH our God is a unified one or "Echad." This is the word that was penned as the Holy Spirit inspired. In Genesis 2:24 and Deuteronomy 6:4 it is the same. Some scholars seek to change the meaning to be a singularity instead of a plurality which God is and does reveal Himself.
In the Greek we find the word to be hen and it also means a unified one. We read of this in Saint Matthew 19:5 and in Saint Mark 12:29. Two becoming one is then referred to as a unified one or "Hen." I believe the word of God by faith. I may not be able to explain it to your individual satisfaction but I believe it anyhow! May you have a truly blessed day! You can research for yourself at www.bible.ca.
First John 1:3 - That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ! First John 5:7 - For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are {a unified} one! I prefer the word Spirit instead of Ghost as it is seems more appropriate to me.
Note: If you are a man married to a woman, you both become a unified one! You still have your individuality but retain your separate personalities. Every complete person is also triune in makeup as spirit, soul, and body!
Who was he? Till curs'd Mezentius, in a fatal hour, Assum'd the crown, with arbitrary pow'r. What words can paint those execrable times, The subjects' suff'rings, and the tyrant's crimes! That blood, those murthers, O ye gods, replace On his own head, and on his impious race! The living and the dead at his command Were coupled, face to face, and hand to hand, Till, chok'd with stench, in loath'd embraces tied, The ling'ring wretches pin'd away and died. from the (Aeneid, VIII, 483):
He was an Etruscan king in Roman mythology. According to myth he ruled as tyrant and was a wicked man. His punishment for criminals was extreme. He was infamous for tying a dead corpse to them as their punishment. Not only was this harsh but they were coupled face to face, the living with the dead, and hand to hand. The criminal would succumb to the foul stench of the dead person. What a horrible way to die and what a wicked king!
Ok, this article is not about him but will refer to him. May I now speak of Apostle Paul's statement in Romans 7:25. He says O' wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Some scholars say it could have been worded this body of death. What was Paul talking about here? He probably infers the terminology from the wicked king Menzentius. However, there was much more he was dealing with here.
Paul said there was a law present that when he tried to do good he could not for the evil. With his spirit he served the almighty God and with his carnality he struggled. Have you ever been in a situation when you wanted to do good but knew not how? It is terrible to feel so insufficient. The apostle knew this much that he had not power within himself to deliver himself. He understood that God was his only hope. He was no different than you and I when it came to fleshly struggles.
We all have issues that we face even after we have been born again. One of our greatest hindrances is unforgiveness. We can't seem to forgive ourselves for past failures. You may be dealing with sexuality problems, adultery, perversion or whatever it is that hangs on you. It is your carnal nature hanging on just like a dead man tied to you. Perhaps you have issues with anger, hypocrisy, or idolatry or other sins. Are you tired of the stench of sin hanging around?
Even though Paul had to fight the good fight of faith he determined that he would not be under the bondage of his carnal flesh. He states in Romans 8:1 that there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. As a believer that is where you are positionally. Seek God for help and come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain it in time of need.
Have the persuasion Paul did when he said: Nothing shall separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus! Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory thru our Lord Jesus Christ!
THE ANSWER IS NO! Every question asked in 1 Corinthians 12:29, 30 has an answer. May I attempt with all reasoning to answer each one of them logically! These verses are springboarded from the beginning of chapter 12 here where insight from the apostle Paul instructs as to the use of spiritual gifts. Order, order, order in the courts of my God!!! Hype makes me gripe. The Holy Spirit always encourages me. He uplifts! What is taught in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 is instruction as received by the Holy Spirit! There should be reason and rhyme to what God does. He loves order and has since the beginning all the way up to the tabernacle and beyond. Know this that any gift given to individuals is to build up the Kingdom of God. Gifts are not for your boasting. They are not given to flaunt flesh. They are not for personal gain if you have been granted one or more! Do not ever feel less if you don't possess one just like your neighbors. You cannot operate in the kingdom without the enabling of the Holy Spirit. Never let religious views of mainliner groups confuse you. Remember your base is always the Word of God. Always strive for execllence but love is first and foremost. We are instructed by Apostle Paul, apostle to the Gentiles as to these matters!
1co 12:27
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1co 12:28
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1co 12:29
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1co 12:30
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1co 12:31
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.
Is anybody seeking a more excellent way? You don't have to answer me. God's instruction in His word is His standard! The answer to all of the above questions in scripture is NO! We can not change the scriptures to suit our manmade doctrines! Do not wrest the scriptures!
Main Entry:1wrest Pronunciation:*rest Function:verb
1 : to pull or move by a forcible twisting movement 2 : to gain with difficulty by or as if by force or violence *wrest control of the government from the dictator
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0: 114 Moby Thesaurus words for "wrest":
Saint Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break , and the wine runneth out , and the bottles perish : but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved .
Comment: I heard a minister say once that God doesn't throw away the bottle but fills it with the new wine after due process. You must first wash it since it would drying out and wrinkled as skin does with age. Once it was cleansed, it would then be rubbed "anointed" with olive oil which would make it pliable so the bottle would not burst when the new wine caused it to expand! That's probably about the best explanation I have ever heard concerning this subject! So, we might as well allow God to stretch our thinking and mold us a potter would clay!
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine, but says, “The old is good.” ’NRSV
The metaphors were drawn from contemporary culture. Wineskins would stretch with new wine being put in as it continues to ferment, and then they would harden. If new wine was put into a hardened wineskin, the continued fermentation risked bursting the skin. Similarly, new cloth would be expected to shrink considerably, so using it to patch already-shrunken cloth would cause problems.
Taken together with Jesus' similar statement about not using new cloth to patch old clothing (Mark 2:21), this saying is often interpreted to mean that Jesus' new teaching will not fit within the Jewish religion, or within the religious structures of the time, see also Supersessionism. Many, especially Christians, have interpreted it as Jesus saying he was the start of a new religion separate from Judaism, and from that of John the Baptist, for example see Ignatius of AntiochMagnesians X and List of events in early Christianity. Some Christians have used it to propose new ways of being Christian or even entirely new forms of Christianity. In the early second century Marcion used it to justify his doctrine of Marcionism.
Others view the phrase in Luke 5:39 in conflict with these interpretations. The passage says, "And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, 'The old is good enough.'" (NASB) Rather than incompatibility of new and old religious structures, it has been suggested that the parable of new and old wineskins is about the nature of teaching and those who are taught. "No one takes a lesson meant for a new student and tries to teach it to an old (already educated) student. If he does, he will fail to teach the new student, and the lesson meant for the new student will be rejected by the old student."[1]. See also New Covenant, New Commandment, and Biblical law in Christianity. Gospel of Thomas
Nobody drinks aged wine and immediately wants to drink young wine. Young wine is not poured into old wineskins, or they might break, and aged wine is not poured into a new wineskin, or it might spoil. -Thomas 47:3-4 [Scholars Version]
In terminology that was often used by the gnostics[citation needed], Jesus is presented as speaking of himself as a bridegroom and his disciples as the wedding guests, arguing that you cannot make wedding guest fast while the bridegroom is with them, only when the bridegroom is taken away. Further justification is then given by arguing that no-one uses part of a new item of clothing to repair an old piece of clothing, because the new will become damaged, and the old will not match the new patch. This is re-enforced by the similar argument that no-one wants to drink new wine immediately after they have tasted wine that has aged; new wine isn't poured into old wineskin because there is a risk of them splitting and so spilling the content; and similarly no-one adds old wine to new wineskin because it would run the risk of ruining the taste.
Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible:
Ver. 16. No man putteth a piece of new cloth, etc.] These words are, byLuke 5:36) called a "parable", as are those in the following verse; and both are commonly interpreted of the unreasonableness and danger ofputting young disciples upon severe exercises of religion, as fasting, etc.: and it is true, that young converts are to be tenderly dealt with, as they are by Father, Son, and Spirit, as the disciples were by Christ, and the first Christians were by the apostles: and some things in these parables may seem to agree; as that these austerities should be represented as "new", and as burdensome and troublesome, and the disciples as weak, and easily staggered: but then there are others that will not bear; as that the disciples should be compared to "old garments, and old bottles"; when they were "young" converts, and men "renewed" by the Spirit and grace of God, and had on the beautiful robe of Christ’s righteousness; and that such severe exercises, under the notion of religion, should be signified by "new wine", which generally designs something pleasant and agreeable: nor were the disciples unable to bear such severities, who very probably had been trained up in them, and been used to them before their conversion; and could now as well have bore them as John’s disciples, or the Pharisees, had they been proper and necessary; but the true reason why they were not required of them, was not their weakness, or danger of falling off, and perishing, of which there were none; but because it was unsuitable to their present situation, the bridegroom being with them. But our Lord, in this parable of putting "a piece of new", or "undressed cloth", such as has never passed through the fuller’s hands, and so unfit to mend with, unto an old garment their other traditions of the elders, which they held; as such that respected their eating, drinking, and conversing with other persons mentioned in the context, and which observances they joined with their moral performances;t, refers not only to the fastings of the Pharisees, but to on account of which, they looked upon themselves as very righteous persons, and all others as sinners: and to expose their folly, Christ delivers this parable. Wherefore, by "the old garment", I apprehend, is meant their moral and legal righteousness, or their obedience to the moral and ceremonial laws, which was very imperfect, as well as impure, and might be rightly called "filthy rags"; or be compared to an old worn out garment, filthy and loathsome, torn, and full of holes, which cannot keep a person warm, nor screen him from the weather, and so old that it cannot be mended. And by the "piece of new cloth", or "garment", put unto it, or sewed upon it, are intended the traditions of the elders, these men were so fond of, concerning eating, and drinking, and fasting, and hundreds of other things, very idle and trifling, and which were new and upstart notions. Now, by putting, or sewing the new cloth to their old garment, is designed, their joining their observance of these traditions to their other duties of religion, to make up a justifying righteousness before God; but in vain, and to no purpose. Their old garment of their own works, in obedience to the laws of God, moral and ceremonial, was full bad enough of itself; but became abundantly worse, by joining this new piece of men’s own devising to it; for that which is put in to fill it up, taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse the law of God, instead of mending, marred their righteousness, and left them in a worse condition than it found them: and besides, as it is in Luke, "the piece that was taken out of the new, agreeth not with the old"; there being no more likeness between the observance of the commandments of men, and obedience to the laws of God, than there is between a piece of new undressed cloth, that has never been washed and worn, and an old worn out garment. Much such a foolish part do those men under the Gospel dispensation act, who join the righteousness of Christ, or a part of it, with their own, in order to make up a justifying righteousness beforee: their new obedience to the traditions of men, making void God; for Christ’s righteousness is the only justifying righteousness; it is whole and perfect, and needs nothing to be added to it, nor can it be parted, any more than his seamless coat was; nor a piece taken out of it: nor is there any justification by works, either in whole or in part; the old garment of man’s righteousness must be thrown away, in point of justification; it cannot be mended in such a manner; and if any attempts are made in this way, the rent becomes worse: such persons, instead of being justified, are in a worse condition; for they not only set up, and exalt their own righteousness, which is criminal, but disparage the righteousness of Christ as imperfect, by joining it to their’s; and whilst they fancy themselves in a good state, are in a most miserable one; harlots and publicans being nearer the kingdom of heaven than these, and enter into it before them; self-righteous persons are more hardly, and with greater difficulty convinced, than such sinners. Moreover, nothing is more disagreeable than such a patch work; Christ’s righteousness and a man’s own bear no likeness to one another; and such a patched garment must ill become the character and dignity of a saint, a child of God, an heir of heaven.Ver. 17. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles, etc.] As in theformer parable, our Lord exposes the folly of the Scribes and Pharisees, in their zealous attachment to the traditions of the elders; so in this, he gives a reason why he did not call these persons by his Gospel, who were settled upon the old principle of self-righteousness, but sinners, whom he renews by his Spirit and grace: for by "old bottles" are meant, the Scribes and Pharisees. The allusion is to bottles, made of the skins of beasts, which in time decayed, waxed old, and became unfit for use: such were the wine bottles, old and rent, the Gibeonites brought with them, and showed toJoshua, Joshua 9:4,13 and to which the Psalmist compares himself, Psalm 119:83 and which the Misnic doctors call twtmj, and their commentators say, were rw[ lç tdwn, "bottles made of skin", or "leather", and so might be rent.
MY NOTES:
Ga 3:3
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Summary: May I say that the new wine is the Holy Spirit in you that changes the carnal nature of man!
Ro 7:22
For I delight in the law of God, after the inward man:
Ro 7:23
But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Ro 7:24
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Ro 7:25
I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin
Summary: There are two laws present in our Christian life. One desires to follow the Holy Spirit and the other the carnality of the flesh!
Tit 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit;
Tit 3:6
Which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Savior;
Tit 3:7
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life [that presently works in us; not, that we have to wait to get to heaven - It is in us by faith in Christ!]
Summary: Here is the example of the new life of the Spirit working in us!
Ro 6:1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Ro 6:2
By no means: how shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Ro 6:3
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death?
Ro 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Summary: Our nature is changed as the glory of God is revealed to and in us so we longer desire nor choose to walk in sin!
Eph 1:17
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22
And put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23
Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.
Summary: God pours into us His wisdom and knowledge and we receive the new wine of the Holy Spirit as we subject our carnal nature to the words of His instruction!
4. a three-note major or minor chord; a note and its third and fifth tones; [syn: common chord, triad]
My note: triadic (adj.); triadically (adv.).
I guess from the definition above we could say that God was triadic. On the other hand without his help we are chaotic! It's alright go ahead laugh or smile or do both!
In 1 Corinthians 12, we find mention of nine spiritual gifts! You may not have realized but they come in groups of threes. First there is revelation gifts: wisdom, knowledge, and discerning. The next is vocal: prophecy, diverse tongues, interpreted tongues. Thirdly is power: faith, healing, miracles. We need to exercise caution as we exercise any gift we claim from God and make sure it uplifts and exhorts the kingdom of God and those in it.
Power tools in the hands of a baby can be more destructive than ever constructive. It is just as one pastor says. If I let my pulpit out to just anyone they could do more damage than good. They could tear up more in 30 minutes than would take me days, months, or years to correct. We read in Galatians 5:22, 23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. May I say as in gifts fruit revealed in groups of three. The first group of is love, joy, and peace which are directed from God towards you. The next triad is how you approach your fellow man: longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness.
Last, but not least, is faith, meekness, and temperance which all have to do with your walk before God. Allow the word of God to take root in your heart and soul. If you don't root, you won't bear fruit!
Is compassion what motivates you? The Bible declares that our Savior, Jesus Christ, was moved with compassion! He went about everywhere healing the sick. He had both favor with God and with men. He is our ultimate example! Compassion in the Greek is defined as to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity) from Strong's Concordance!I hope you will read the scriptures below and be both challenged and blessed! I especially love Saint Matthew 9:36. What we would we as believers do without Jesus, the Shepherd of our valleys! Our Lord was always moved with compassion as He went about everywhere healing the sick and doing good. He ain't never done me nothin' but good!
He was not to blame for the crippled condition he was in. He serves as the perfect example of vows kept. That is where this wonderful story develops in scripture. Remember, David and Jonathan loved each other with a pure love and respect. David had promised Jonathan to show kindness to his house! So, now the stage is set. Jonathan and David were valiant men of war and true to character and friendship throughout their lives. No relationship truly works without integrity, honor, and respect!
So, what happened to Mephibosheth to put him in his predicament? In 2 Samuel 4:4 we read that the nurse was fleeing with him and he fell and became lame! It was her responsibility to carry him and get him to his destination. Are we not as well supposed to care for the newborn babes in life? This is also a principle in the kingdom of God. You can't just look at them and say be warmed and be filled? They must be nourished and cared for. Have we had someone to fail to carry us in life and provide the necessary love we need? Ask yourself am I doing what I need to do to assist those God has placed in my care? Perhaps this is why there are so many broken families!
Whether we would like to admit it or not we all have areas in our life where we feel crippled. It may be in the flesh, in our emotions, or in our mind. It could be because of circumstance as to our economic state. Sometimes it can stem from others who mean to do good but are harsh in their judgments. Some have faced death, tragedy, or divorce in their lifetime and often feel anger, shame or blame themselves. I suppose we may all identify somewhat with Mephibosheth.
I have questions to pose! Do we "do you" treat divorcees, single people, or crippled and hurting people with mercy? Do we act as if they are second class citizens in the church? We want their support, their offerings, their time but our careless actions can make them feel inferior. You can enter heaven lame but we will have no lame excuses to God for not showing a Christ-like spirit. Let those of us who are strong lift up the feeble knees and strengthen our brothers and sisters.
Back to Mephibosheth: King David in 2 samuel 9 seeks to bless someone in the house of Saul for Jonathan's sake. They tell him Jonathan's son Mephibosheth is down in Lodebar {*see note below}. Now, Lodebar is a place of no pasture or can be translated no word or no communication. David sends for him and when he arrives he greets him and welcomes him. Mephibosheth falls on his face and reverences the king as a servant.
David tells him that he will eat bread at his table continually. What a wonderful example of integrity in man and of the mercy of God! Have you believed on Jesus today? Allow him to choose the direction of your life and make Him Lord and Savior today! Here is a note of interest! Mephibosheth had a son whose name, Micha, meant "Who is like God?" So, today I say "How great is our God......."
*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** THE PURPOSE FOR HERBS!
The following scriptures are from the Deluxe Bible Collection.
God has created all things for our good but we don't always properly use them for such! I have been asked about herbs at different times in my life. So, I searched for a biblical answer. First of all the answer I found in Genesis. God says in 1:11, 12 that He brings forth grass and did. It is beautiful to walk on and look at but you wouldn't roll it up and smoke it. Next he says he brings forth herbs, and then fruit. What purpose do you think all these things are for? The answer is in verse 29 where He instructs, "It shall be to you for meat." That is the only thing he says about it!
He reaffirms the same in verse 30; but, in Genesis 3:18 He further instructs man not to eat the herb of the field. We read in Genesis 9:3 that every moving thing shall be meat for you and the green herbs. There is nothing said here that we are to crush them, make paste for our faces or rub them on our skin. Nothing is said that you should smoke them! He does say in His infinite wisdom that we may eat green herbs and other things. May I say that I believe that some herbs may be good for animals and some for humans. According to scripture they are for consummation. I do not apologize for standing in the Word on this view. That is where God gives us wisdom. I can't say or approve anything the Bible doesn't condone.
Please do not try to simplify the scriptures to allow yourself and others to walk outside of God's standard. This comment may seem as bitter herbs to some! "You have to stand for something or fall for anything." Thanks be to God for all those wonderful spices and seasonings he has blessed us with! His Word is the spice of life!!!
I have a friend named Mark who writes blogs everyday. When I asked him how he did he said that God usually inspired him with good stuff. He said that once in awhile he would just be graspin' for straws! That is where the inspiration came for this little article. There are a lot of folks that don't know what God's will is or where they fit in. Often they try to fit in multiple places in church just to be a part or play a part. Therefore, they, as well as myself have ended up making wrong choices.
You can be so humble in volunteering that you are no longer proficient in any job or task you are doing. I guess you might say we make ourselves look like the dummy. I have a word for this and I call it dumble, sounds like dumbell. My other word for this situation is stressure. It is when we place undue stress on our lives and become too pressured! When will we learn that we are grabbin' for straws!
We are instructed to try the spirits or "hints to our emotions, mind, etc" to see if they be of God or not. Don't believe all the voices you hear. Do not be alarmed at every wind of doctrine you hear. Give it the Word of God test. The first still small voice you hear is usually the Holy Spirit inspiring and instructing. The second voice is most usually the voice of doubt. We have to learn to distinguish. Please don't go around waiting for the next good word from somebody. If you don't have vision from God it may be empty hands laying hands on empty hearts. The result will be chaos and you still will be grabbin' at thin air.
On the other hand we need to be careful who we endorse. That is why we are not to suddenly lay hands on someone without first proving them. I adjure you to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Line up your thoughts and any other powers of suggestions to your mind and spirit to the Word of God. Stick to His plan, follow His order, and you can't go wrong. May you be blessed today with clarity and may the good Lord clear all of the gray areas for you. Have a nice day!
