Judges 17-18 - Part 3
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Judges 17-18
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Will you say NO to busyness and pause to pray today? God is love... and He prayed for us. Jesus did, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." John 17:20-24
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Q: "What does it mean that love always protects" (1 Corinthians 13:7)?
A: Reread through the “love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, cuz Paul here talks about four specific attributes of love that are “always” put into action. The first of these is that love “always protects” (NIV) or “love bears all things” (ESV and NKJV).
The Greek word for “protects” is stegei, which literally means “to cover” and includes the idea of protecting and preserving lives. The word “Protects” shares something with the other three actions of love in verse 7 too (trusts, hopes, and perseveres): in the original language, all four words pretty much end with the same sound, creating a poetic rhythm -- a pleasing phonetic iteration.
Also notice this -- the four “always” statements in verse 7 use the Greek word panta, which corresponds to another four uses of the same term (translated “all”) in verses 2-3. First, Paul mentions four spiritual gifts used to their utmost:
If I can solve all mysteries . . .If I have all knowledge . . .If I have all faith . . .If I give away all I possess . . .. . . but, he says, if I employ these gifts without love, “I am nothing” (verse 2) and no one benefits.
Then, Paul provides the missing ingredient, love. Verse 7 is the counterpoint to verses 2-3, connected by the repetition of panta.
Love . . . . . . always protects. . . always trusts. . . always hopes. . . always perseveres
God’s type of love protects. That is, it watches out for others. It withstands difficulty. And, if there is a shortcoming or fault in the loved one, love has the ability to cover it (see Proverbs 10:12). Love is not based on selfish desire or even mutual benefit; rather, it seeks the benefit of the other person. Love aims to give rather than receive.
In the Old Testament, God’s protection of Israel was a sign of His love. “Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. . . . He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection” (Ezra 9:9).
The Psalms also highlight the connection between God’s love and His protection. Psalm 68:5 declares God to be a “father to the fatherless, a defender of widows.” Psalm 91:14 also promises God’s protection of those who love and trust Him.
We find a wonderful example of love’s protective nature in the story of Christ’s birth. When Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy, he was faced with a choice: “expose her to public disgrace” or “divorce her quietly” (Matthew 1:19). Joseph, being a righteous man, was planning to keep the matter quiet. In other words, he was covering over what he saw as a fault in Mary, and he protected her from public shame. This is love.
One of the marks of love is that it always seeks to protect the loved one. This doesn’t mean that we excuse wrongdoing or seek to evade the natural consequences of sin; it means that we strengthen what is weak, shield what is vulnerable, and forgive what is provoking. Protect from what though?
Hundreds of migrants storm Spanish border and attack police with acid. Happened. Stuff like this keeps happening. Comments? Acceptable to allow? Politicians in office still wanting this invasion.. acceptable to allow?
London: 4 Shootings in 2 Days, Illegal Gun Factory Discovered.
Bulgaria: Our Country is Now ‘Migrant Crisis’-Proof Thanks to Wall, Border Force.
Got a door at your home? Pull it wide open each night and then kinda doze off?
A top Polish Leader says he’s happy Poland didn’t receive a single Muslim migrant: “It’s a war of civilizations!” He should be.
EU is terrified of Italy’s right-wing populist government, says ruling party member.
Laura Loomer just asked Amira Dajani a good question (otherwise known as “Amy Fox”, a Republican candidate for State Attorney in FL)..asked her to condemn the PLO Palestinian terrorist organization which her father and her uncle are both tied to. What was the response?
Amira just had Laura thrown out of her Republican meeting!
Let’s shut the door to Uniparty RINO Establishment Republicans as well as to the Democrats. Both won’t help the USA.
Democrats Want America to Be ‘One Big Fat Sanctuary City for Criminal Aliens’. #WalkAway #DemExit
Ein Dorf in Deutschland -- this town ‘unrecognisable’ after it accepted 1,200 migrants.
65 per cent of Scots teenagers don’t want more immigration. Got one reason why they should ..anywhere in the West.. like here in the USA or in Europe?
Feel kinda worthless or purposeless? God deeply loves you and has a good purpose for your life. You are not an accident or worthless, nope!
Regardless of the circumstances around you and me daily, we have good reason to rejoice in the Lord (the Prince of peace. The Bible clearly shows He's a protector, a kind Nationalist, not a Globalist) -- have good reason to trust Him who is 100 percent good. He loves you -- come to him just as you are. Now is good.
Let’s keep our eyes wide open.. awake spiritually. Yes, watch, pray, obey Him and selflessly serve in connection with a healthy Christian church. Real good idea right? You know it is. Yup, practical too. Wisely protecting your friends and helping them is still noble. Plant good ideas in their minds by true words, kind deeds, believing prayer spawned by real love for God and others....and plant good ideas by being a good example.. consistently. That’s how we can win our unregenerate friends over to the Lord who doesn’t change and loves them just as much.
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Friday, August 17, 2018
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Now is good, today is the day! What would prevent you.. anything?.. from getting right in the light so you don’t get left in the dark? You can hear and go away sad, go away mad, or go away GLAD! Come home to Christ!
You are loved today! Turn and trust. And go get a friend to hear the Message as well.
The reckless love of the Father and of the Son.. seeks out. Yep, this great love compels God to leave the 99 in order to go find the one. It can bring you back Home. So grateful for the Living Word (Jesus) and the written word of God. His Gospel still has power to save. The Bible says, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." ~ Luke19:10 #standwiththeBible! From my home state -- #socal.harvest.org..at / from Angel Stadium to you on August 17–19, 2018.
"I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicate to us through this Book." ~ Abe Lincoln www.knowGod.org
Monday, August 13, 2018
I saw some of this type of wailing going on in a couple malls yesterday. Good idea: #RemainNotJackedUpAmerica
These people vote... pic.twitter.com/xFyOQskDNq
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) August 13, 2018
