ThePoor

Let us give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. - PSALM 107

On this thanksgiving week let us also continue to remember our ministries to the poor . . .

HISTORICALLY A PRIMARY MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH 

WAS HELPING THE POOR. 

Could one argue biblically that the degree to which a society is plagued by problems of poverty is a direct reflection on Christian congregations?

Have we erroneously 'outsourced' this christian duty to 'the state'?

Is addressing poverty an 

essential part of 'the gospel'?

JESUS talked about the rich man and Lazarus and about the Good Samaritan and He quotes Isaiah:

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release from darkness to the prisoners - ISAIAH

Matthew 19:16-24 JESUS ASLO made this troubling comment during a conversation with a rich man who was a pretty good person

 "I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

It challenges our faith when we see the scale to which poverty exists. 

We hear the talk about 'systemic injustice'. We are drawn into discussions about equity. 

We see affluence in our christian communities and we sometimes wonder does our God care?

We have to trust that God is just . . . yet we see the many scripture references and wonder if we are missing something in our biblical understanding 

JESUS MAKES THIS SO CLEAR

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

https://www.openbible.info/topics/helping_the_poor

Common

FOR THE PEOPLE?

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him

The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.

God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counseller.

I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them. You have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.

They imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.

Son of man, these are the men who plot evil and give wicked counsel in this city.

You shall know that I am the LORD: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you.

I spake unto them of the captivity all the things that the LORD had shewed me

The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked

Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire

saved.com

Amen

WarnThem

Do we have bible believing friends who have not known or forgotten Gods word and His will,

Then we should teach them or remind them or warn them.

Please prayerfully pass this on as necessary.

Blessings 

__________

The Question Asked:

Did God give me a leader?

A pastor, a city councilor, a mayor, a senator, a congress one, a governor or a president?

Did God ask me to know them, to honor them to obey them and to support them with prayer?

GOD'S BIBLE IDEAS laws, rules commands, principles . . . 

THE BIBLE SAYS:

we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account

Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

AMEN 

#ebcnewington

Do we have a President now (today)? Do we have responsibilities to him as bible believers? 

We do not know what will be after 1/21/21, but should we not continue to obey God?

Forward

I thought you might enjoy this message from Dr. David Jeremiah's teaching series, "Forward".

RISK: Get Out of Your Safe Zone
https://www.davidjeremiah.org/television/weekend?date=2020-10-17

God bless you!


Sent from my iPhone

sinduda

ACCEPTANCE

UNBELIEF 

TRUST

"He did not many mighty works 

there because of their unbelief"

"sin duda"

Without evidence 

Without doubt

ACCEPTANCE with 

or without evidence 

Belief w/o Evidence of the unseen

Unbelief w Clearly seen evidence 

He was amazed at the choices

1. The family [no mighty works]
2. The gentile [just speak]

"the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth"

NO CABE DUDA

Free2B

WHO IS 'MONITORING' ME?
FREEDOM & CHOICE

Can I choose disobedience disorderliness and lawlessness?
Can we police ourselves?

"it is required in stewards, that a man
be found faithful"

Some will argue: I am accountable to God. God says this: "

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God.
Honour the king.




So . . .

Why do I act? Are my actions
1. right
2. good
3. true

My conscience - I act because
I can!!! Who will stop me?

What principles guide my decisions
What principles guide my speech

TRADITION • LAW • CONSENSUS

Policy
Schedule
Diet
Budget

Reliable
Dependent
Consistent

PREDICTABLE
CONTROLLED
ORDERED

Science?

EXAMINING BELIEFS
OR, choosing what to think.
https://biblehub.com/1_timothy/6-20.htm

We draw conclusions about everything. We gather data. We apply logic. We develop and propose theories about everything. We challenge and test our theories constantly as we gather more data.

At any point in this process of 'reality testing' we can be open to error. Our data may be 'off'. If our logic is 'faulty' our conclusions may be wrong.

At its best, human
REALITY IS FRAGILE

Is this the essence of what it means to be human?

"Reality testing is the psychotherapeutic function by which the objective or real world and one's relationship to it are reflected on and evaluated by the observer. This process of distinguishing the internal world of thoughts and feelings from the external world is a technique commonly used in psychoanalysis and behavior therapy, and was originally devised by Sigmund Freud." [Wikipedia]


GOD'S WORD® Translation
Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable

Careful

While we are protesting, 

IS THIS also A GOOD TIME TO REMIND THE KIDS THAT CRIME DOES NOT PAY? Or would that be flat out 'insensitive'?

Derek Chauvin & George Floyd's 

https://www.facebook.com/BlazeMedia/videos/256114778792416/?vh=e&d=n

Q19

CHINA, CHRISTIANITY & COVID
"what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?"

Q IS FOR QUARANTINE
This episode is brought to you by the letter 'Q' and the number 19

Around any set of givens, a narrative may be created. The story must not only be told but ideas and BELIEFS must also be sold.

If personal BELIEFS determines ones reality, then the 'believability' of a story or narrative must be a prime concern. No one understands this better than those who practice the "healing arts".

UNMASKING: 'Q' LESSONS . . .
"Allopathic medicine, or allopathy, refers to science-based, modern medicine, such as the use of medications or surgery to treat or suppress symptoms or the ill effects of disease". [Wikipedia]

IS A DIAGNOSIS MORE THAN . . .
A STORY?
A NARRATIVE?
A THEORETICAL CONSTRUCT?

And what about PROGNOSIS?
Is this predicting of the future reasonable and reliable or speculative and tentative?

"Eastern and Western medicine both work towards treating various diseases using different methods and theories. Eastern medicine focuses on treating diseases through more natural remedies, whereas Western medicine deals with more synthetic drugs.

This causes Eastern medicine to have little or no side effects, differing from Western medicine which is known to cause several different side effects". [Wikipedia]

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

"Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. . . And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon

a few sick folk

and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching."

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
FOOTNOTES
1 https://youtu.be/giFozB8uRrI

2 https://youtu.be/CGCbiSjEiZY

3 https://youtu.be/LyU-j4fC7iw

4 https://youtu.be/SdU8pW-qpW8

5 https://youtu.be/K6kgfTTOnBY

6 https://youtu.be/x526Y0_NV6I

7 https://youtu.be/V66H3BdJMoI

No_Fear

#noFearCOVID19

THE CHOICE TO BELIEVE

"This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he hath sent."

When facts become scarce our mind must default to biblical beliefs. 

It is Biblical Belief, not mere scientific fact that forms the bedrock of mental/spiritual stability.

Some say 'we will live until we die' JESUS SAYS: "whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die"

"if you had known me, you should have known my Father also. I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am He, you shall die in your sins".

"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God"

Facts are provable 

Beliefs are not

I cannot prove it but I believe it

Facts are evident

Beliefs are not 

I have no concrete evidence 

Facts are empirically verifiable 

Beliefs are not

I have no scientific support

Facts are rationally defensible 

Beliefs are not 

It's supernatural, defies logic

NOT ALL FACTS ARE BELIEVED !! 

JESUS: "If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"

The only choice? 

to believe or not to believe!!

JESUS: "How can you believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?"

"Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And 

we believe 

and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."

JESUS: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water•this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive"

"You believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish"

If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God

"While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light"

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."

"He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do"

"blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

"these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name"

AMEN

#ebcnewington

Isaiah 9:6

Involved or uninvolved? 

https://youtu.be/W0NzfdgEbCk

"He saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

And they straightway left their nets, and followed him."

"Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest."

A brother offended  - Pr 18:19

A bother taken in a fault - Gal 6:1

A trespassing  - Mt 18:15

The lost sheep - Mt 18:12

The Good Samaritan  - Lk 10:33

The woman at the well  - Jn 4:7

=========

"they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was 

borne of four. 

And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay."

#EBCgroupsANDteams

#ebcnewington

#borne_of_four

#Mark_2v3

Impeach

ACQUITTED?? 

"when thou art converted, 

strengthen thy brethren."

AM I IMPEACHABLE?

Is my behavior 'above reproach'?

The recent impeachment of the President of the US, made me realize that I am constantly on 'trial'.

Not unlike President Trump, many of us today stand accused; some in our circle of acquaintances would vote to have us 'removed', others, maybe not.

If I would be of value in service to the community , then I must be constantly 'examined'. 

In the role of a father I must allow the articles of impeachment that have been brought against me to go forward. As a husband I must 'stand trial'. As a parent, what are the 'high crimes and misdemeanors' of which I have been accused?

Although it may be true that I may not be 'removed' from these roles I must nonetheless allow at least a serious ongoing self-examination to see wether I am living up to the highest expectations of those that I am called to serve.

Exonerated

ACQUITTED???

"when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."

AM I IMPEACHABLE?

Is my behavior 'above reproach'?

The recent impeachment of the President of the US, made me realize that I am constantly on 'trial'.

Not unlike President Trump, many of us today stand accused; some in our circle of acquaintances would vote to have us 'removed', others, maybe not.

If I would be of value in service to the community , then I must be constantly 'examined'. 

In the role of a father I must allow the articles of impeachment that have been brought against me to go forward. As a husband I must 'stand trial'. As a parent, what are the 'high crimes and misdemeanors' of which I have been accused?

Although it may be true that I may not be 'removed' from these roles I must nonetheless allow at least a serious ongoing self-examination to see wether I am living up to the highest expectations of those that I am called to serve.

Insane

So yes, there is biochemical imbalance and genetic predisposition but . . . 

SOMETIMES there is UNFORGIVENESS UNKINDNESS and UNBELIEF 

I was a digital circuit troubleshooter back in the day. Incredibly complex telecommunication circuit boards were sent to my work station. 

Literally hundreds of electronic components could be on these "defective" circuit boards.

At first it was overwhelming trying to fix these things. I would sit for many hours, sometimes for many days. I would have to read through "the manual" or manufacturer handbook multiple times. Schematic diagrams were also useful but could become a headache.

Doc was my supervisor. He watched me when I first started the job. He admired my diligence reading through the handbook and 'tracing out' the circuit diagrams. 

He said this was useful for the difficult cases which he said in his experience were rare.

He said The BIG 3 most difficult to "diagnose" but easiest fixes were:

1. Dirty contacts
2. Broken connections 
3. Foreign objects or bugs

I became good at it after a while. 

I realized it was often a "little" thing that caused THE BIG DEFECT.

My mental health I have found after living though more than fifty decades, working with mental 

health professionals and studying numerous theories of psychology usually comes down to Doc's big 3.

1. When I 'clean up' my thinking many big problems go away
2. Broken connections like unhealthy relationships can be a big problem 
3. Foreign object - an insect, dust, a misplaced wire or a nut, even a crumb a small food particle have been known to "shut down the system. 

Before I get to the expensive therapies and the pharmaceuticals 

I usually ask myself about 

MY UNBELIEF 

MY UNKINDNESS 

MY UNFORGIVENESS 

SOMETIMES the issues go away.

The chronic anxiety, The OCD, the manic depression, the paranoid or schizoid behaviors even the debilitating migraines sometimes mysteriously disappear.

SOMETIMES.