Month: March 2013

  • T&M THE NECESSARY ATTITUDE FOR SUCCESS

    Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the word of Yahvah...1Co 15:58

    Today I want to talk to you about an attitude you must possess if you wish to achieve sucess in your life. If you study the lives of achievers and history-makers, you will find that all of them remarkably share certain attitudes that helped them reach success. However, the attitude I wish to speak to you about today is so essential that it should be considered non-negotiable, especially if you wish to do anything significant with your life.

    This non-negotiable attitude is found in 1 Co 15:58, where Paul urges us. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of Yahvah..." The word "stedfast" in this verse is dealt with in the T&M March 12th, but today I want you to consider the word "unmoveable." This word refers to one of the most critically important attitudes for those who want to please Yahvah and do something noteworthy in their lives.

    The word "imovable" is the Greek word ametakinetos, which has several meanings:

     It means not easily excited, shaken, or affected

    It describes something that is not changeable or unpredictable.

    It was also frequently used in connection with stone structures or to refer to people who are known to have a strong and unbending character.

    Thus, this word portrays something that is solid, unbending, and not easily excited, shaken, or affected; a person, building, or place that is constant, stable, enduring, and dependable.

    In other words, this is not a flighty fickle, "here-today, gone-tomorrow" "on-again, off again" type of person; rather, this is someone who is constant, stable, and dependable. Because the word ametakinetdos describes something immovable, it carries the idea of someone whose attitude can be described as:

    Rock-solid, Fixed, Grounded, Established, Rooted, Anchored, Unvarying, Permanent, Stable,

    When you start a new project or step out in faith to do something new, there will always be obstacles that try to get in your way.  If you aren't determined to be tougher than the problems that arise, it won't be long until you throw in the trowel and give up. That's why this word ametakinetos is so vital. It is an attitude that say, "I'm not moving until I see my dream come to pass!"

    Anyone who wants to be great or to do great things must learn to be constant, stable, dependable, inflexible, unbending, and unyielding in the face of challenges. This is a common characteristic shared by all great achievers.

    1Co 15:58 could be translated: "...Be constant, stable, enduring, and dependable--one who is always abounding in the work of Yahvah..."

    When you know Yahvah has called you to do something, you have to develop this kind of rock-solid, immovable attitude about that task or project because one thing is certain: Satan will attempt to sidetrack you. That's why the enemy does to anyone whom Yahvah calls to do a job!

    So don't allow yourself to be inconsistent and wavering in your commitment to accomplish your Yahvah-given assignment. Remember--others around you are watching your example. In this world where a lackadaisical, "who cares?" attitude predominates, people need to see what true commitment looks like!

    Be steadfast and immovable in the place where Yahvah has called you. Make the rock-solid decision that you will be a "permanent fixture" within your divine call until your task is completed with excellence, regardless of what it costs you!

    PRAYER: YAHVAH, I STEP OUT IN FAITH TO DO SOMETHING NEW, I REALIZE THERE WILL BE OBSTACLES THAT TRY TO GET IN MY WAY. SO TODAY I AM ASKING YOU TO HELP ME STAY TOGETHER THAN ANY PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE. HELP ME MAINTAIN THE ATTITUDE THAT SAYS, "I'M NOT MOVING UNTIL I SEE MY DREAM COME TO PASS!" I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I AM GOING TO DO GREAT THINGS FOR YOU, I MUST BE CONSTANT, STABLE DEPENDABLE, INFLEXIBLE, UNBENDING, AND UNYIELDING IN THE FACE OF CHALLENGES. WITH YOUR HELP, I KNOW THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF PERSON I WILL BE! I PRAY THIS IN YAHVAHOSHA'S NAME!

    QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

    1.If others were asked what they think about you, would they say you are flighty and fickle or stable, consistent, and solid?

    2.If you were looking for someone you could depend on to do a job, would you want to choose someone like you?

    3.If you've been consistently unstable in the past, can you think of ways to correct this in your life?  Bro. Doc

  • MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES

    The net of law is spread so wide, No sinner from its sweep may hide, Its meshes are so fine and strong, They take in every child of wrong. O wondrous web of mystery! big fish alone escape from thee! J.J. Roche, The Net of Law. Bro. Doc

  • AHA JOKES

    Adopted Twins

    A woman has twins, and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named "Amal." The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him "Juan."

    Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his mom. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Amal.

    Her husband responds, "But they are twins-if you've seen Juan, you've seen Amal."


     

    Crazy Laws - Rhode Island

    It is illegal to challenge someone to a duel, or accept a duel, even it it is never actually fought. Penalty: Imprisonment for one to seven years.

    Riding a horse over any public highway for the purpose of racing, or testing the speed of the horse is illegal. Penalty: Maximum $20 fine and imprisonment for 10 days.

    No one may bite off another's leg.

    It is considered an offense to throw pickle juice on a trolley.

    In Providence, RI, you may not sell toothpaste and a toothbrush to the same customer on a Sunday.

  • DEVOTIONAL LANCASTER BAPTIST CHURCH

     


     
     

    Our Strong Defense

    By Paul Chappell

     
     
     
      Monday, Mar 18, 2013

    "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."

    Proverbs 18:10

    During the War of 1812, the British forces that had already captured Washington D.C. turned their focus on Baltimore. Outnumbering the American forces by more than five to one and backed by their powerful navy, the British expected to take control of the key American port city. But they found their way blocked by an American force stationed in Fort McHenry. British Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane ordered an extensive bombardment of the fort in preparation for an attack.

    Throughout the night of September 13 and into the morning of September 14, nearly two thousand artillery shells were fired at the fort. When the sun came up in the morning, Major George Armistead who commanded the defenders ordered the massive flag to be raised over the walls as a sign that they had not been defeated. This moment was seen by an American lawyer named Francis Scott Key on board one of the British ships and led to the writing of the American national anthem.

    A strong place of defense is not just important to military forces. It is also crucial to those of us who face a spiritual battle on a daily basis. The Bible warns us that Satan is seeking to destroy us and commands us to “Resist stedfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9). It is vital that we remember that we are not to fight Satan in our own strength. Instead we are offered the mighty protection of God’s power through His name.

    As believers, we have the right to run to the presence of the Lord and seek His defense when we are attacked. We do not have to fight alone. Like the defenders of Baltimore sheltered by the thick walls of Fort McHenry, we are sheltered by the name of our Saviour.

    Today’s Proverbs Precept: 
    Knowing that we can call on the name of the Lord for defense should give us confidence to face any situation.

    Old Testament Reading
    Deuteronomy 32

    CHAPTER 32

    1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. 5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. 6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

    7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. 8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. 9 For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. 11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. 13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; 14 Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.

    15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. 16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. 17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. 18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

    19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. 20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. 21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. 22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. 23 I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. 24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. 25 The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.

    26 I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men: 27 Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this. 28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. 29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! 30 How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up? 31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. 32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: 33 Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps. 34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures? 35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. 36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. 37 And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, 38 Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.

    39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. 40 For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. 41 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. 42 I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. 43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.

    44 And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun. 45 And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel: 46 And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. 47 For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. 48 And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, 49 Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: 50 And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people: 51 Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. 52 Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.

     

    CHAPTER 33

    1 And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. 2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. 3 Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. 4 Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. 5 And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.

    6 Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few. 7 And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies.

    8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; 9 Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. 10 They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar. 11 Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.

    12 And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders. 13 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, 14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, 15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, 16 And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren. 17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.

    18 And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents. 19 They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand. 20 And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head. 21 And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel.

    22 And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan. 23 And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south. 24 And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. 25 Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

    26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. 27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. 28 Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew. 29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

     

    CHAPTER 34

    1 And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, 2 And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea, 3 And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. 4 And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.

    5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. 7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. 8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.

    9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses. 10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, 12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.

    New Testament Reading
    Mark 15:26

    26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. 29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

    33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. 36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. 37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. 39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. 40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

    42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. 45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

    Proverb of the Day
    Proverbs 18

    1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. 16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. 23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. 24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

     
           
       
     

  • JOKES

    That Chicken Joke

    Why did the gum cross the road?

    Because it was stuck to the chicken's foot!

    Feeding Fur

    A father was playing with his daughter when the little one said: "Dad, I read in school that animals get a new fur coat every winter."

    "Quiet!" retorted the father. "Your mother is in the next room!"

    How You Made Money

    A young man asked an old rich man how he made his money.

    The old guy fingered his worsted wool vest and said, "Well, son, it was 1932. The depth of the Great Depression. I was down to my last nickel.

    "I invested that nickel in an apple. I spent the entire day polishing the apple and, at the end of the day, I sold the apple for ten cents.

    "The next morning, I invested those ten cents in two apples. I spent the entire day polishing them and sold them at 5:00 pm for 20 cents. I continued this system for a month, by the end of which I'd accumulated a fortune of $1.37."

    "And that's how you built an empire?" the boy asked.

    "Heavens, no!" the man replied. "Then my wife's father died and left us two million dollars."

    Co-Author

    Teacher: Vincent, not to be presumptuous, but your short story is truly fantastic. Did you really write it?

    Vincent: Yes, I wrote, while my mother dictated..

  • MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES

    The laws of the Eternal, the laws of men, He may keep that will and can; Not I: let the Eternal and man decree Laws for themselves and not for me. A.E. Houseman, Last Poem. Bro. Doc

  • T&M DON'T BE A 'BONE OUT OF JOINT!'

    From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling. 1Tim 1:6

    Have you ever been in a situation where you found it hard to submit graciously to the orders of the person in authority over you? Maybe you thought that the orders were unfair or that you had a better idea. Or can you think of a moment when a fellow employee, staff member, or volunteer became so obstinate, disagreeable, or uncooperative that it made everyone else feel uneasy?

    We've probably all had experiences in which one person's belligerence caused us and those around us to feel ill at ease. This uneasy circumstance is particularly awkward when everyone else is in agreement and willing to do what is being asked, but one person decides to defy those in authority. Refusing to budge, unwilling to give an inch, this kind of person can put the entire group and project "on hold" because a stubborn, quarrelsome, provoking, 'pig-headed" attitude stalemates everything!

    Can you think of a person you know who acts like this? Have you ever been that person I'm describing? Can you remember an instance when you were the one who acted like a "bone out of joint" with the rest of the team?

    Today I want us to look at the phrase "a bone out of joint" and see what it means. I'm taking this phrase from 1 Tim 1:6, so let's go there first to see how Paul used it and how it applies to you and me today.

    When the book of 1 Timothy was written, young Timothy had only recently stepped into the position of senior pastor. In the early months of his pastoral ministry, he was simultaneously enjoying phenomenal successes and huge challenges. The successes had to do with the growth his assembly was experiencing. However, Timothy also had to deal with rebellious leaders who didn't like him or who thought he was too young to be the pastor of such a large assembly. These leaders had no desire to submit to Timothy's authority or follow his vision

    The attitudes of these argumentative leaders became so rank that Paul wrote Timothy about this problem. Referring to the belligerent people under Timothy's authority, Paul said, "From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling" (1 Tim 1:6)

    I want you to especially pay close attention to the words "turn aside." These words come from the Greek word ektrepo, which means to turn or to twist. This word was also a medical term used in the medical world to denote a bone that had slipped out of joint. So when Paul used this word to picture these argumentative and stubborn leaders, he was making a powerful statement about them and their bad attitudes. He was calling them "a bone out of joint."

    When a person has a bone that is out of joint, it's a very difficult, painful experience. Although that bone is still located inside his body and isn't broken, it isn't properly connected. Therefore it becomes a major source of pain and irritation, sending signals of pain through the entire body. If you've ever had an out of joint bone in your body, you know how excruciatingly painful it can be.

    Nearly every moment of the body is affected as that out of joint bone screams misery throughout your entire central nervous system!

    This is exactly the image Paul had in mind when he used the word ektrepo to describe the unruly, difficult assembly persons Timothy was trying to work with. Although these people were saved and valuable to Yahvah, they had become a source of pain and irritation to the pastor and ultimately to the entire assembly because of their rebellious attitude and refusal to cooperate. The strife they had caused in the assembly was a distraction that pulled Timothy from what he needed to be doing, constantly demanding that he tried to bring shalom. All these problems resulted from the rebellious attitudes of a few people who didn't want to follow the senior leadership of the Ephesians assembly. In the end, they became "out of joint," not only with their pastor but with the entire congregation.

    Paul's words in 1Tim 1:6 could be interpreted: "Some among you have become like a bone out of joint--a source of real pain and irritation to the whole body."

    A sincere act of repentance can snap "out of joint" people back into their rightful place so they can begin to function properly and become productive people of their assembly. But no one can make them repent and get their attitude right. It's a decision only they have the power to make. Once they make this decision, they can again become a benefit and a joy to everyone around them.

    Do you know anyone who fits this "out of joint" description? Is it you? If it is you,  it's time for you to reevaluate your attitude and the issues you have allowed to become so divisive in your life. Are these issues really so important that you should let them make you a "thorn in the side" of everyone else in the group? Is it possible that you've allowed the enemy to use you to bring division? Have you become a source of distraction, pulling the group's attention from where it ought to be?

    If you've become a "bone out of joint" in your home, in the work place, in your assembly, or in any other area f your life, do everything you can to snap yourself back into the righteous attitude and behavior you ought to be displaying. Get back in place, for you have a divine call go fulfill! Your gifts and cooperation are needed by those who are running their spiritual race alongside you!

    PRAYER: YAHVAH, HELP ME TO NEVER BE VIEWED AS AN ARGUMENTATIVE, BELLIGERENT, DISAGREEABLE PERSON BY THOSE WHO KNOW ME--ESPECIALLY BY THOSE WHO ARE WORKING WITH ME TOWARD A COMMON GOAL. IF I'VE DONE ANYTHING TO BE PERCEIVED THIS WAY I AM SINCERELY ASKING YOU TO FORGIVE ME RIGHT NOW. BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I DON'T JUST NEED YOUR FORGIVENESS; I ALSO NEED TO ASK FORGIVENESS FROM THOSE WHO FELT UNCOMFORTABLE WITH MY WRONG BEHAVIOR SO MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM CAN BE MADE RIGHT.I NEED YOUR HELP TO KEEP A RIGHT ATTITUDE, YAHVAH, SO I AM ASKING YOU TO HELP ME TO STAY OPEN MINDED AND CORRECTABLE. HELP ME TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN A HUMBLE SPIRIT AND TO STRIVE TO GET ALONG WITH THE KEY PEOPLE YOU HAVE PLACED IN MY LIFE. Bro. Doc

     

  • T&M STICK YOUR NECK OUT--COMMIT YOURSELF TO SOMEONE!

    And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 2 Tim 2:2.

    Can you think of an occasion when you were hurt by someone so badly that you were tempted to think. That's it! I'll never give my heart to anyone like that ever again! This hurts too much to go through this a second time. I've had all the abuse, I can take, and I'll never put my neck back on the chopping block again.

    The return Timothy anticipated from his leaders was commitment and faithfulness. For those same men to deny him their loyalty after all he had poured into them was a flagrant violation of relationship, yet that is precisely what they did. The majority of those leaders walked out of the assembly and desert Timothy.

    The word "commit" comes from the Greek compound word paratithimi, a compound of the words para and tithimi. The word para is a Greek word that means alongside. It refers to something that is near or close by. But in 2 Tim 2:2, it presents a picture of close relationships.


    The use of the word paratithimi meant that Paul wanted Timothy to understand this message: "..You need to choose some new people who have proven themselves faithful. Pull up alongside those people; get as close to them as you can so you can deposit everything you are and everything you know into them."

    It is time for you to grab hold of the power of Yahvah and to emerge out of your place of hiding! It may be true that a person or a group of people hurt you in the past, but there are friends out there who are just waiting for you.

    PRAYER: YAHVAH, HELP ME OVERCOME THE HURTS AND DISAPPOINTMENT I'VE EXPERIENCED BECAUSE OF PEOPLE WHO PROVED TO BE UNFRUITFUL. WHEN I AM TEMPTED TO JUDGE THOSE WHO HAVE WRONGED ME, HELP ME REMEMBER THOSE WHOM I MYSELF HAVE WRONGED IN THE PAST. I AM ASKING YOU NOW TO HELP ME FORGIVE--AND NOT JUST TO FORGIVE, BUT TO STICK OUT MY NECK AGAIN AND BEGIN TO REBUILD MY LIFE WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN THE BODY OF MESSIAH. I PRAY THIS IN YAHVAHOSHA'S NAME HALLELUYAH!  Bro. Doc

     

     

     

     

  • DAILY QUOTES

    „We can only learn to love by loving.” Iris Murdoch Bro. Doc

     

  • DEVOTIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH

     

           
    Click here to see the web version of this Days of Praise
     
      March 17, 2013
    The Quick and the Dead
    "And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead." (Acts 10:42)
     

    This is the climax of the first Christian sermon to the Gentiles delivered by Peter in the house of the Roman centurion, Cornelius. Peter emphasized the truth that Jesus was not just the promised Messiah of Israel, but that "he is Lord of all" (Acts 10:36), and that it is He alone who will judge the "quick and dead."

     

    This striking phrase occurs only three times in the Bible, each time denoting that Christ is Judge of all men. Paul wrote to Timothy as follows: "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Peter wrote concerning the gross Gentile sins from which his readers had been delivered: "|They| shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead" (1 Peter 4:5).

     

    The term "quick" is the same as "living." When Christ returns, "the dead in Christ shall rise first" (1 Thessalonians 4:16), and then all believers, including those still alive in the flesh at His coming, "must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10). This will be the judgment of the "quick." All the saved are alive in Christ at "the resurrection of life."

     

    But He must also judge the dead--that is, those who are "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1) at "the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:29), "For the Father . . . hath committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5:22). "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God . . . and they were judged every man according to their works. . . . This is the second death" (Revelation 20:12-14). HMM