The Best Advice

12/30/2024

Spiritual Planner for 2025

It was once a common practice for some to buy calendars (sometimes called a “Planner”) at the end of a year in preparation for the year to come. Even with “smart phone” calendars, important dates are marked. Birthdays are marked. School beginning and ending, and other breaks/events are circled. Vacation dates are considered. Doctor and Dentist appointments are included.

God also keeps a calendar/planner. Before calendars were invented God planned the days of creation (Gen. 1 & 2). Notice Exodus 9:5. “Then the LORD appointed a set time, saying, ‘Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land.’” A careful reading of Exodus 12 will reveal that God meticulously planned the tenth plague and the Passover.

God also “marked a date” on His calendar to send His Son into the world (1 Pet. 1:19-20). He planned it to happen on a day He referred to as “the fullness of the time” (Gal. 4:4).

In Luke 18:31-33 Jesus spoke of an important appointment He had, the day of His death, saying that they would kill Him as it was “…written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man…” He then spoke of His resurrection, “And the third day He will rise again.”

God also has an important date in His “planner” concerning each person. Hebrews 9:27says, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” It is an appointment that no one can avoid.

There is another date in God’s calendar that cannot be avoided—the Day of Judgment. God’s calendar has a notation that says, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).

In between January 1st, 2025 and the Day of Judgment, it is impossible to know all that God has planned for you. There is no printing of God’s calendar for your life. But you can plan your life, 1) to be abundantly blessed by God in the remaining days of your life (Gal. 6:7-8; Rom. 8:28); and, 2) be fully prepared for the Day of Judgment (2 Cor. 5:10).

In your calendar marking, do you include daily Bible reading? Daily [sincere/fervent] prayers? Sunday assemblies to worship in spirit and truth? Bible classes? Gospel meetings? Other church events? While on vacation are you planning to attend a local church of Christ? Have you considered taking your vacation time to go on a mission trip or to Polishing the Pulpit or a door knocking campaigns.

Will the way you plan your calendar now impact whether or not the Day of Judgment will be a good day?

12/28/2024

11/04/2024

for PETES sake

With the end of the election cycle there is a major void in our media “enjoyment”—Election Ads. Anyone watching television, listening to the radio, or connected to the internet has been receiving a constant stream of political ads.

These ads can be very entertaining. Often these ads are based in fiction or half-truths. And when they do tell the truth, it is often stranger than fiction. They are like the “serial programs” of old. They never end. And we watch with rapt attention, watching for the next “cliff-hanger” to be revealed.

Now that it is over, those ads have ended. On top of this, about half of this country’s active voters are somewhat to extremely disappointed. So, there should be PSA’s offering counseling to those thinking of leaving the country or starting a civil war (See Romans 13:1-7).

That is why I would like to see someone begin a PETES program. PETES is an anagram for Post Election Trauma Enteritis Syndrome. (Enteritis is an inflammation of the intestines—a stomach ache.) I am writing this on Monday, November 4, 2024, the day prior to the election, in anticipation of a great need that may arise on Tuesday night or Wednesday, such as sadness, anger, depression, thoughts of su***de, or worse. And, on the other side, arrogant smirks; egotistical outbursts; irate rants that often repeat the words, “I knew it!” and, “I told you so.”

For PETES’ sake [more accurately, for Jesus’ sake], let us be the peace makers Jesus has called us to be (Mat. 5:9). Let us put aside all of Satan’s temptations toward pride or false piety. Let us put our trust in God who raises up kings and takes them down (Dan. 2:21). Pay close attention to Psalm 75:4-7.

“I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’ And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn. Do not lift up your horn on high; Do not speak with a stiff neck.’” For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.

The treatment for “PETES” Syndrome is simple, a complete trust in God. It is He who accomplishes His will in the lives or men. Job said, “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You” (Job 42:2). The wise man of Proverbs says, “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the LORD's counsel—that will stand” (Pro. 19:20-21).

Amen!

06/06/2024

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. It is simply amazing; I remember it like it was only 64 years ago. WOW!

10/19/2023

Application for Admittance

An exclusive club or group always has an entrance exam, a set of qualifications, or, standards that must be met. Only a select few become Navy seals. It is a very exclusive “club” of men who can say that they have served as the president of the United States.

It is a recognized fact, even from childhood, that the leader or leaders of a group set the terms of admittance into the group. There were times in my childhood that I would be excluded from a group because I was “too young,” or “too small.” To this day the MENSA club, has not accepted my Application of Admittance. For the life of me, I don’t understand why? They are even running a special membership drive, lowering the entrance fee from $60 to $30 a month. But they have not lowered the entrance IQ testing standard of only the top 2% being admitted. It’s just incomprehensible. Or, to quote Vizzini, “Inconceivable!”

Nicodemus recognized the exclusive nature of the group Jesus was in when He said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” (John 3:2). Nicodemus was correct in his conclusion.

But Jesus was in an even more exclusive club than Nicodemus realized. Jesus was the “only begotten” Son of God. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” The Greek word “monogenes” is a compound word: “mono” means “single, sole, the only one of its kind.” “Genes” means “to bring into existence, to become, to be born.” Now that is exclusive—there is only one. The word does not indicate a beginning of Jesus’ existence, but of his becoming flesh, and a beginning of the Son—Father relationship between Jesus and God (Heb. 1:5).

After Nicodemus’ statement about Jesus unique group, Jesus taught him about another unique group—those who be granted entrance into the kingdom of God.

“Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus, no doubt, was expecting the prophecies of Isaiah and Daniel to be fulfilled (Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44). But he did not know the way to enter that kingdom.

Nicodemus did not understand about being “born again.” He asked, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” (Jn. 3:4.)

Jesus answered by saying, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:5).

Admittance into the kingdom of God is only for those who are born of the water and the Spirit.
The word “and” (kai) is a conjunction. Strong’s Dictionary calls it a “copulative word.” It joins two things of equal value. When Jesus said, “unless one is born of water,” He was not referring to the first birth from a mother’s womb. That would have been redundant and confusing to Nicodemus’ understanding of being “born again.” Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus how one could be “born again,” not how to be born the first time.

In order for one to have his or her “Application for Admittance” approved to enter the kingdom of God, Jesus, the “leader” (head, master and Lord) has set the qualifications for admittance as being born again, that is, being born of the water (baptism) and the Spirit (committing yourself to following the Spirit’s inspired words). Who would want to appear before Jesus, seeking admittance into the kingdom of God, and say, “Well, Jesus, I didn’t think you really meant it when you said I had to be born of the water.” (See Luke 7:30.)

I’m still waiting with bated breath for my MENSA application to be approved (big sigh).

10/14/2023

The King of Israel

A terrible tragedy has taken place. Another terrorist attack has been carried out. Lives have been lost; captives have been taken, and the world watches as missiles rain from the sky.

The terrorist attack on Israel has caught the attention of the world. There are those who are promoting the idea that Israel continues to be God’s chosen people today, and that biblical prophecies are being fulfilled by this terrorist attack on Israel and their response. These pseudo apostles will make reference to God’s land promise to Abraham in Genesis 13:14-17 in an effort to support their words.

Three verses you will not hear them reference is Joshua 21:43, 45 and 23:14. These verses plainly say that the land promise God had made to the fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) were completely fulfilled. Joshua 21:45 says, “Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.”

In connection with the land promise such will make reference to these events as a sign of Jesus’ second coming wherein He will establish His throne at Jerusalem and reign over all the earth for a thousand years (per Revelation 20:1-6). They may also reference Isaiah 9:6-7, saying that Jesus will sit upon the physical throne of David in Jerusalem and reign over His kingdom on earth.

A close examination of Revelation 20:1-6 and related verses will reveal some important details:

1. It does not say that this reign will be upon the earth. At Jesus 2nd coming, the dead will rise first, then those who are alive will rise with them in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air; “and thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thes. 4:17).
2. This 1,000 year reign appears to be a special reward for those who sacrificed everything for Jesus. It includes those who were beheaded for their testimony of Christ, and those who refused to worship the beast or his image and had not received his mark in their foreheads or hands. These will reign with Jesus for a thousand years.
3. This reign will end after 1,000 years. But the reign of Christ over His kingdom will never end (Ps. 145:13; Heb. 1:8; Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14; Lk. 1:31-32).
4. Jesus is reigning over His kingdom now. Jesus is presently the King of kings and the Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:5). John was in the “kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:9). Paul said that Jesus “must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet” (1 Cor. 15:25).

It is interesting to note that In the New Testament Jesus never referred to Himself as “the King of Israel.” Others did (Mat. 27:42; Jn. 1:49; 12:13).

Jesus did say that He was born into this world to become King (Jn. 18:37). He also explained that His kingdom was not of this world (Jn. 18:36). Jesus is king over heaven and earth (Mat. 28:18). He is King over mankind and over the angels (1 Pet. 3:22).

Jesus is the King over spiritual Israel today. Romans 9:6 teaches that “they are not all Israel, that are of Israel.” Paul then, in verses 23-29, connects God’s promise to Abraham to His prophecies in Hosea 2:23 and Isaiah 10:20-23, proving that God’s promise of the everlasting kingdom included the Gentiles as citizens of that kingdom. A Christian is a person who has been delivered from the power of darkness and conveyed into the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Col. 1:13). Paul was born a Jew (Rom. 11:1). But He would not boast except in the cross of Christ (Gal. 6:14). Circumcision [of the flesh] was no longer a sign of a man being one of God’s chosen; but being a new creation in Christ [born again] is now the sign of being one of God’s chosen people (vs. 15). Then, in Gal. 6:16 he writes, “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God” (emphasis added, sv). Christians are “the Israel of God” today. The chosen people of God are no longer the physical nation of Israel.

Under the law of Moses God was a husband to Israel (Jer. 3:14; 31:32; Isa. 54:5). When Jesus died on the cross, God’s marriage covenant with the nation of Israel came to an end (Rom. 7:1-4). When a spouse in a marriage dies, that frees the widow or widower from all obligations contained in that marriage covenant. Jesus’ death ended God’s marriage to the physical nation of Israel so that both Jew and Gentile could become one in the same body (Eph. 1:22-23; 2:11-16; 4:4-6). Jesus had fulfilled all that was written in the law, the prophets, and the psalms concerning Him (Lk. 24:44), thus completing that covenant and bringing it to an end (Mat. 5:17; Heb. 8:7-13).

Jesus is not, nor will He be the King over a physical nation of Israel on this earth. His kingdom is not of this world (Jn. 18:36). The physical nation of Israel is no longer God’s chosen people. That ended with Jesus' death on the cross. Today, spiritual Israel is Jesus’ kingdom—the church of Christ (Mat. 16:15-20). Christians [both Jew and Gentile], who have been washed in the blood of Jesus in the waters of baptism, are God’s chosen people—the redeemed of God (Eph. 1:7). Those who were not His people, have become His people (Hos. 2:23).

So do not give heed to modern-day “preachers” and “prophets” who claim that this attack on Israel is a sign of Jesus second coming. To borrow a phrase from Paul, they do not understand “what they say nor the things which they affirm” (1 Tim. 1:7). Jesus’ second coming will be a surprise, at an hour we do not expect (Mat. 24:42, 44). It will be as a thief in the night (1 Thes. 5:2). Neither man nor the angels know the time Jesus will return to call the righteous home (Mat. 24:36-39).

Christians, are you trusting wholeheartedly your King?

10/02/2023

The institution of marriage (in the world today) does not hold the position of honor that God gave to it (Heb. 13:5). In Noah's day they were "marrying and giving in marriage" (living for the sensual pleasures and not for God). In Jesus' day, some were divorcing for any reason (Mat. 19:3-6). In our day there are those who, because marriage has become less esteemed in people's eyes, promote redefining marriage, and cohabitating, and some have begun promoting doing away with marriage altogether. Many of today's youth are growing up in a broken home and in a home where God's design for marriage is no longer respected or taught. What can we do to help our youth regain God's lofty position for marriage in their lives?

Below is a list of priorities for young people to consider as they seek a lifetime marriage partner. Mayby you can improve upon this list. God help us to instill His principles for marriage into our young people.

06/07/2023

Forgive Me This Wrong

Paul was concerned for the brethren in Corinth for many reasons. In the two letters to the church at Corinth Paul addresses many of their problems, giving divinely inspired remedies for their challenging struggles.

One problem he addressed in his second letter was the need to sacrifice of their means to support the preaching of the gospel. He spends two whole chapters (8 & 9) and several verses in chapters 11 and 12 teaching the brethren on this biblical subject.

In chapter 8 of 2 Corinthians, Paul brags about the Macedonian brethren who first gave themselves to the Lord, then to Paul and his companions to support the preaching of the gospel (vs. 5). The Christians at Macedonia were being afflicted and were in deep poverty (vs. 2). But by the grace of God they gave liberally, yea, beyond their ability, in order to support the preaching Paul and his coworkers were doing.

In chapter 9 Paul explains how that their blessings from God were tied to their giving. He writes in verse 6, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” The bountiful harvest is directly connected to the generous sowing. This was true for the Corinthian Christians. Is it not also true for Christians today? In verses 8 & 9, he adds, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: ‘He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.‘“

In 1 Corinthians 9:9-11, Paul writes,
For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?
This is a direct teaching that Christians who benefit from the preaching of the gospel are to support those who are faithful preachers of the gospel.

In 2 Corinthians 11:9-11, Paul wrote that he preached to the Corinthian brethren without asking for their material support. He said that he “robbed” the churches of Macedonia in order to preach to them without asking them to give food or money to him. In reference to this, in chapter 12:13, Paul wrote, “For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!” Paul realized that his good intentions of not being a burden to them turned out to be a hinderance to their understanding about the need for them to sacrifice to support the preaching of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Preachers and brethren, learn the lesson that Paul himself learned. Learn from the good example of the afflicted and poor Christians of Macedonia in 2 Corinthians 8. Learn from Jesus when He said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Lk. 6:38). When preachers fail to preach this then they are hindering the blessings of Christians who are yet to learn to give cheerfully to support preachers.

02/03/2022

SPAM

Spam was first sold by Hormel, July 5, 1937. It became very popular during WWII. There are 20 varieties of Spam, including pumpkin spice flavor.

According to the Spam official website the name for spam is speculated to have been derived from “spiced ham.” It goes on to say that “the real answer is known by only a small circle of former Hormel Foods executives.”

The comedic group, Monty Python, did a skit where restaurant workers and patrons repeated the word “spam” over and over again to a customer who did not like spam. The unwanted repetition of the word “spam” came to refer to “unsolicited electronic messages” (Wikipedia article on “Spam”).

It seems to me that when you “unsubscribe” from an email advertiser that they often ignore your request to be removed from their list and they sell your contact information to other even less desirable “spammers.” It never seems to end. The “spam” never gets any less.

It might be that “spammers” have taken a lesson from some other “undesirables.”

When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. –Luke 11:24-26

Demon possession actually happened during the days of Jesus and of the apostles (Mat. 9:32-34; Lk. 10:17). But such possession was limited and is no longer happening (Zech. 13:2).

But that does not mean that the devil has ceased from his work of tempting us (1 Pet. 5:8). He is as hungry today for your soul as he has ever been. He never ever stops.

It might be that through faith, prayer and self-discipline you have overcome a temptation that has been a plague upon your spirit. Great! But do not become cocky. The ole devil is the consummate spammer of evil temptations. He will lay seven more temptations in your way hoping that one of them will plant a seed in your mind that will draw you away from God.

Like electronic spammers, the devil will send out his unsolicited temptations to your “in box” without number. But God has “regulated” Satan’s spamming power. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, God has promised, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Be ever vigilant in blocking and deleting Satan’s spam. It is full of malevolent viruses and damning programming designed to steal your identity [as a Christian]. Send it straight to your “trash bin.”

(A side note: I do like canned Spam in fried rice and fried in a sandwich. )

12/13/2021

Celebrations

During this time of the year, there is much discussion about how God views various celebrations. The discussion may focus on a Christmas family get-together. Sometimes it moves to most any celebration. For example, some have said that Christians must not participate in a birthday celebration. What light can the Bible shed on such things?

The Bible is abundantly clear that Christians are to abstain from every form of evil (1 Thes. 5:22). We are not to participate in ungodliness or unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18). We are not to engage in lewdness, lusts, drunken revelries, riotous events, or drinking parties (1 Pet. 4:3). These things are sinful and should be avoided by Christians.

But does that mean that a Christian must avoid all celebrations? Let us look deeper into the Bible on this matter.

In Luke 15 Jesus tells the parable of the Prodigal Son. While it is certain that we must not push too hard on various details of a parable, this one includes the following words from Jesus:

But the father said to his servants, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” And they began to be merry. Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. - Luke 15:22-25

In John 2:1-11 Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding feast at Cana. They chose to attend this marriage celebration. Mary, his mother, apparently had a personal interest in the success of this wedding feast for when the drink ran out, Mary mentioned this to Jesus. Jesus assumed that His mother wanted Him to take some action to remedy the situation to keep the celebration from turning into an embarrassment for the host. Jesus did take action.

In John’s vision, in Revelation 19:6-9, there is the celebration called “the marriage supper of the Lamb!” There was the sound of a great multitude sounding like “mighty thunderings,” saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” There was rejoicing and the giving of glory for this marriage. The bride was “dressed to the nines,” “arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” What a grand celebration this will be.

Do you think there will ever have been a grander celebration than this one?

From this, it is clear that celebrations are not evil. Birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving, Christmas, the Fourth of July, and such are not sinful to celebrate. Now if they are for the purpose of drinking, carousing, and lasciviousness, they are wrong and must be avoided. But enjoying family and friends, food, music, and singing is not evil.

The invitations for the marriage supper of the Lamb have been sent out. Have you confirmed your attendance at this celebration?

11/09/2021

Thoroughly Equipped

It has been said that the Bible is the most read book in the world, and the least believed.

John tells us why he wrote the gospel of Jesus. He said, “but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” The Old Testament was also written for our learning (Rom. 15:4).

If it is true that the Bible is the most read and least believed book in existence it is a truly sad commentary on the willingness of mankind to equip themselves for today and for tomorrow.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, Balaam, the children of Israel, king Saul, king David, king Solomon, the young prophet, the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, tax collectors, the rich young ruler, the woman caught in adultery, Peter and many more received God’s word that they might be equipped for every good work. Some received that word and believed to obedience, while others brushed it aside, overlooked, or neglected to take heed.

Adam and Eve had been thoroughly equipped by God’s instruction, yet they failed by doing the one thing God told them not to do (Gen. 3:6).

God (through Moses) had equipped Israel:
See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.

While it is certain that you do not know what tomorrow may hold, God does. And whatever may come on the morrow, God’s word will give you the faith, strength, and wisdom to be warned and to be thoroughly equipped.

Studying the weather will not prepare you for an earthquake. Studying your retirement portfolio will not prepare you for a pandemic. Studying national politics will not prepare you for a foreign attack. God’s word is the all-sufficient source to prepare you for your future.

After Paul had been stoned and left for dead, he reacted by, “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’” (Acts 14:22).

Studying God’s inspired Scriptures will thoroughly equip you for every good work whether it be in blessed times or in times of trials and tribulations.