The Choice Lives On

To me, archeology is fascinating. When I see photos of ancient finds, I know what Solomon said was true: “What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).  

We have another thing in common with the ancients: The question of truth. Jesus answered Pilate’s questions, but when He said He was born to testify to the truth, and “everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice,” Pilate cut Him off with a satirical response. “What is truth?” (John 18:33-39).

The truth is not necessarily complicated. Even a simple plumb line of string with a weight at the bottom will help someone build a straight wall.

We live in a day when people seem bent on living by personal truth, meaning “your truth and my truth” are both right, different though they may be.

Like Solomon said, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” Isaiah 59:14-15 reads like today’s news: So, justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter. Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes prey.

We have a moral and spiritual plumbline: Jesus and God’s Word (John 14:6, 17:17). But from Genesis to Revelation, God has always given us freedom of choice. We are free to believe or not. We are free to:

·         Exchange God’s truth for a lie (Rom. 1:25)

·         Wander away from the truth (2 Timothy 2:15-18)

·         Oppose the truth (2 Timothy 3:8)

·         Deceive ourselves with no truth in us (1 John 1:8)

 

But God’s truth has eternal consequences. John 3:16-18 says God loved the world so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, as the one-and-only acceptable sacrifice for sin. We can choose to accept Jesus as our Savior and have eternal life, or choose not to believe and be condemned eternally. 

It’s just a matter of time. Whose truth do you choose to live by? Your truth, my truth, or God’s truth?

 

Choose carefully, because one day we will all appear before Christ. Why? To be judged for our choices here on earth (2 Corinthians 5:10).

 

Pixabay: Pharoah, Archeology; fotshot.

 

Get a Grip

Have you ever felt life was so overwhelming that you were losing control? A well-meaning friend may have said, “Get a grip!” 

It’s a way of saying, “Come back to your senses, don’t give up, make a decision, and move on!” Remember, life is a marathon, not a sprint, a race of spiritual endurance over the long haul.                             

This Endurance Race has guidelines. Hebrews 12:1-3 lists three things we need to do:

1.    Throw off anything that would hinder us

2.    Fix our eyes on Jesus

3.    Don’t grow weary and give up 

Jesus, in verse 2, is our example. It says He endured the cross while:

1.    Keeping in mind the joy awaiting Him,

2.    Despising the shame, and

3.    Disregarding hostility from sinful people 

When Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me,” it was an invitation to deny ourselves and do His will moment by moment (Mark 8:34-38). It’s another way we can say, “Not my will, but Thine be done.”. 

Let’s consider ice skaters and football players. Do you think they enjoy hours and hours of physical hardship and repeated practice to build up their endurance? Hebrews 12:11 says no discipline is enjoyable while it’s happening. It’s painful! 

But consistent discipline will pay off. They will be tested, and winners will be rewarded with a title, a trophy, a medal, or an honorary ring. 

It’s hard to imagine that winners in Roman games were rewarded with a laurel crown. You’ve probably seen pictures of that. At the time of presentation, it was a nice ring of beautiful green leaves. While it was green, their honor was visible, but it would not stay green forever. 

Our reward, however, is eternal. It’s worth enduring hardships and discipline because it will last forever. Paul believed that. Here’s his testimony in his latter days (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

·         I have fought the good fight

·         I have finished the race

·         I have kept the faith

·         I’ll receive a crown of righteousness

·         From the Lord, the Righteous Judge 

So, get a grip! Do not become weary in well doing; keep pressing on (Galatians 6:9). Look to Jesus for help. He’s the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Pixabay: Excess, Weary, Enough; geralt.  

What Love Is (Part 2 of 2)

As promised, this week we’re looking at what love is NOT! We’re still comparing 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 in the **New Living Translation (NLT) and ***The Message(MSG).

 WHAT LOVE IS NOT!

1. Jealous: doesn't want what it doesn't have
2. Boastful or proud: doesn't strut; doesn't have a swollen head
3. Rude: doesn't force itself on others
4. Does not demand its own way: isn't always "me first"
5. Irritable: doesn't fly off the handle (in anger)
6. Keeps no record of being wronged: doesn't keep score on sins of others
7. Doesn't rejoice about injustice: doesn't revel when others grovel

Did anything pop out for your special consideration? It’s good to take a personal inventory from time to time.

The Bible says LOVE will last forever. 

That’s why it’s worthy of your serious consideration and application in all your relationships.

TWO CLOSING THOUGHTS:

(1)  Remember, you can do an easy comparison of various translations if you have a Bible App. I recommend reading I Corinthians 13:4-8 in the Amplified Version of the Bible. (There are several Bible apps; I use YouVersion.)

(2)  Each week, I share a Featured Post, something I’ve previously written on the same topic. Look to the right of the website email version. Cell phone readers can go to the bottom and click on “See Web Version.”

**Scriptures marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible New Living Translation; copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

***Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE; Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by Permission of NavPress Publishers Group.

 Pixabay: Love, Heart, Paper; stux. 

What Love Is (Part 1 of 2)

Songs can be meaningful and long-lasting. Burt Bacharach wrote meaningful lyrics to a song in 1965 that was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008. It starts this way:

 *What the world needs now Is love sweet love

It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of 

It goes on to say this love is not just for some but for everyone. I love this upbeat song, but what kind of love are we talking about?

If it’s for everyone, we’re not just talking about romantic love, but something basic to all relationships.

I think that love is described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. This week, let’s consider what love is by comparing the **New Living Translation (NLT) and ***The Message:

LOVE IS:       1.  Patient; never gives up

                    2.  Kind; cares more for others than self

                    3.  Rejoices whenever truth wins out; takes pleasure in the                                       flowering of truth

                    4.  Love never gives up; puts up with anything

                    5.  Never loses faith; trusts God always

                    6.  Is always hopeful; always looks for the best

                    7.  Endures through every circumstance; never looks back

I also enjoyed reading 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 in the Amplified Bible, but it was too much to share here.

You can do an easy comparison of various translations if you have a Bible App on your phone. There are several. (I use the YouVersion.)

This week keep in mind what love IS! Rate yourself on a scale of 1-10. Are there areas where you need to be more loving?

Next week we’ll share what love IS NOT!   

*Lyrics: What the World Needs Now; Google, Ai mode.

**Scriptures marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible New Living Translation; copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by Permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

***Scriptures taken from THE MESSAGE; Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by Permission of NavPress Publishers Group.

*Pixabay:  Love, Romantic, Couple: Pepitasandpepit...

Some Things Never Change

I don't particularly enjoy using a cane, but I never leave home without it. It has its place, and I'm very glad I no longer require a walker.

It blew me away recently to learn I’m part of an ancient tradition. Older translations of a Hebrew scripture say: Old men and old women will again sit along the streets of Jerusalem, each with a staff in hand because of great age (Zechariah 8:4). More modern translations say “cane," but I had a good laugh when I read that because everywhere I go, I see people with canes.  

Modern scholars still study ancient cultures (Greek, Roman, Egyptian, or Biblical, to name a few). Latin and Greek are still important to people going into the medical field.

I’m glad to know that in our ever-changing world, some things never change. The psalmist, David, for example, said God’s Word gave him hope, revived him, and comforted him in times of trouble (Psalm 119:49-50).

In Psalm 23:3 he said, “(God) restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness.”  No matter how you look at it, God’s word is a positive source of life.

How familiar are you with these ancient and wise words? 1) The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37); 2) the “Golden Rule” (Mark 12:31; Matthew 19:19); or 3) the Book of Proverbs with its wisdom regarding relationships, debt, character traits, and more.

Wherever we go, we can have God’s word with us. Have you memorized any scripture (Psalm 119:11)? Do you know any scripturally-based songs, hymns, or spiritual songs by heart (Ephesians 5:19-20)? Do you have a *Bible app on your cell phone that you can easily tap into?

Don’t be one of those people who give lip service to God’s word, but reject it by having no intention of obeying it (Matthew 15:8-9).

It’s good that some things never change. Like David, I not only want to read ancient scriptures, but I also want to apply them to my life (Psalm 119:56).

What is your choice?  

*The Bible app I use is the YouVersion.

Pixabay: Bridge, Alcantara, Roman; MemoryCatcher.

The Puzzle of Life

I was never into puzzles. My mom, on the other hand, enjoyed every kind of puzzle that came her way.

I’d have probably avoided puzzles forever had not my sister-in-law urged me to try “just one.” What took her a few hours, took me days, but once completed I had to admit I liked the challenge and the sense of accomplishment.

Thanks to her, I now have a closet full of jigsaw puzzles. She kindly sticks to my request for 300 pieces only, but here’s the best part. She works them first to make sure all the pieces are there. I like that!

Life often seems like a puzzle. Looking forward, I don’t know what pieces I’m missing. Looking backward, I can see how God has fitted all my pieces together, so far.

I’m facing some unexpected challenges and have been encouraging myself in the Lord. First, I asked myself, as David did, “Why am I downcast? Why am I uneasy?”  

It’s good to take time for self-reflection. But then what? I chose to follow David’s example. He said he would continue to put His hope in God and praise Him for the salvation of His presence.” (Psalm 42:5).  

It’s impossible to be both positive and negative at the same time. John 14:27 tells me, “Do not let your heart be troubled.” Letting something happen means we permit it, tolerate it, or allow it to happen.   

The opposite would be to “stop” it ---shut it down, terminate it, or, as some would say, “knock it off!” The thing is, it’s personal, and no one can do that for you but you!

I’m choosing to calm my heart and mind by focusing on Romans 8:28 and Philippians 4:6. Not only do I believe God can work all things together for my good, I believe I can pour out my heartfelt needs to Him. I also find joy in thanking Him for things He has already done!

My life may be a puzzle, but the One who gave it to me knows what the missing pieces are, where they need to go, and when. I’m choosing to hope and wait on Him.

Pixabay: Jigsaw Puzzle Game; OpenClipart-Vectors. 

Three Types of Temptation

“The devil made me do it.” That was a line made famous by Comedian Flip Wilson, but there’s nothing new about the blame game.

Way back in the Garden of Eden, when God confronted Adam and Eve about their disobedience, Adam blamed it on Eve, and Eve blamed it on the serpent. God knew the truth and punished all three of them (Genesis 3:8-24).

The blame game still doesn’t work. The truth is that personal desires tempt, lure, and entice us to evil (James 1:14).

There are endless variations, but three big temptations are: 1) the desires of the flesh, 2) the desires of the eyes, and 3) the pride of life (1 John 2:16).

What the Berean Standard Bible calls “desires,” the New King James Version calls “lust,” and the New Living Translation calls “craving.” No matter which version you choose, the idea is the same.

In our flesh, we crave things for physical pleasure. With our eyes, we see things and sometimes won’t rest until we get them. And it’s easy to take pride in our achievements and possessions.

Satan likes these three types of temptations. He tried them on Eve and Jesus with very different results.

Eve listened to what he said and responded to a craving for good fruit. She considered it very pleasant to look at, and thought it would be great to be wise! (Genesis 3:1-7)

Jesus, on the other hand, refused to be enticed by craving any food, even after fasting. Satan showed Him the kingdoms of this world and Jesus was unmoved. He also refused to take any pride in the fact that if He threw Himself off a pinnacle, angels would rescue Him. (Matthew 4:1-11)

Jesus refuted each of Satan’s temptations by saying, “It is written,” and quoting an appropriate scripture.

Have you been aware of any temptation in these areas?

Have any of them caused you to stray from your intent to live by God’s word?

If so, what have you done about it?

Remember I John 2:16-17:

. . . the desires of the flesh,

the desires of the eyes,

and the pride of life—

is not from the Father

 but from the world.

 

The world is passing away

 along with its desires,

but whoever does the will of God

 remains forever.

Pixabay: Logo, Penrose Triangle; ptra.