Ephesians 4:1-16

Curious that Paul says at the beginning of this chapter the same thing he said at the beginning of the third chapter, namely, that he was a prisoner for Christ.

When I looked at Matthew Henry's commentary for some clue of this apparently redundancy, I was greeted with this insight: ...There is work to be done, even when we are suffering. Amidst all their trials they gave thanks to the Father of our Lord Jesus, whose special grace fitted them to partake of the inheritance provided for the saints.

To bring about this change, those were made willing subjects of Christ, who were slaves of Satan.

All who are designed for heaven hereafter, are prepared for heaven now.

Those who have the inheritance of sons, have the education of sons, and the disposition of sons.

By faith in Christ they enjoyed this redemption, as the purchase of his atoning blood, whereby forgiveness of sins, and all other spiritual blessings were bestowed. Surely then we shall deem it a favour to be delivered from Satan's kingdom and brought into that of Christ, knowing that all trials will soon end, and that every believer will be found among those who come out of great tribulation.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=59&source=2&seq=i.58.1.2


So Paul is sitting in prison in chains and yet he still wants to continue the education of Christians.

He wants Christians to come to a deeper understanding of just what Christ did.

He wants Christians to live a life worthy of the calling they received. As he says in verses 2-3: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. NIV

Paul then says that we are called to one hope -- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.(verses 5-6) NIV

It is this hope that all Christians share. And Paul reminds us that this hope is sealed through one baptism for this baptism brings us into God's family as his children.

Matthew Henry says that in baptism we put on Christ; therein we profess to be his disciples. Being baptized into Christ, we are baptized into his death, that as he died and rose again, so we should die unto sin, and walk in newness and holiness of life.

The putting on of Christ according to the gospel, consists not in outward imitation, but in a new birth, an entire change. He who makes believers to be heirs, will provide for them.

Therefore our care must be to do the duties that belong to us, and all other cares we must cast upon God. And our special care must be for heaven; the things of this life are but trifles...

http://sitebuilder.myregisteredsite.com/sitebuilder/f_edit_blog_post.jsp?return_url=f_edit_page.html&entry_id=1206988282315

Paul then quotes from Psalm 68:18 at this point: When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.

There are a couple of powerful points to be made with Paul's quotation from the Psalm at this point.

First, the reference to Christ's ascending into heaven. A cross reference to John 3:13 says: No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

It's true that both Enoch and Elijah ascended -- that is, they did not know human death -- but the distinction is that they did not descend to earth again. Only Jesus Christ has done that.

Paul says in verse 10: He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.

It is Jesus Christ. Paul rests his faith on Jesus Christ. Christ comes to fulfill the old Levitical law, not to enforce it.

I love the way Matthew Henry puts it: ...We have in Him the substance of all the shadows of the ceremonial law. All the defects of it are made up in the gospel of Christ, by his complete sacrifice for sin, and by the revelation of the will of God.

To be complete, is to be furnished with all things necessary for salvation. By this one word to complete, is shown that we have in Christ whatever is required. ...We are in him, by the power of the Spirit. We have faith wrought in our hearts by the Spirit, and we are united to our Head. The circumcision of the heart, the crucifixion of the flesh, the death and burial to sin and to the world, and the resurrection to newness of life, set forth in baptism, and by faith wrought in oru hearts, prove that our sins are forgiven, and that we are fully delivered from the curse of the law.

Through Christ, we, who were dead in sins, are quickened. Christ's death was the death of our sins; Christ's resurrectioon is the quickening of our souls.

The law of ordinances, which was a yoke to the Jews, and a partition-wall to the Gentiles, the Lord Jesus took out of the way. When the substance was come, the shadows fled.

...Let not any be troubled about bigoted judgments which related to meats, or the Jewish solemnities. The setting apart a portion of our time for the worship and service of God, is a moral and unchangeable duty, but had no necessary dependence upon the seventh day of the week, the sabbath of the Jews. The first day of the week, or the Lord's day, is the time kept holy by Christians, in remembrance of Christ's resurrection. All the Jewish rites were shadows of gospel blessings.

Wow!

And oh, for sure, we can't just sit and do nothing. Oh contraire'. Christ has jobs for us to do. He wants some of us to be preachers. Some of us ought to be teachers. Some of us are to be evangelists. And some are apostles and prophets.

And why does Christ have all these jobs for us to do? Easy answer: so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (verse 12b-13) NIV

When we get to that point in our faith -- that point of unity where we all become mature Christians, not faith babies tossed about on the waves of new heresies and new apostasies designed by crafty schemers, then we grow into the body of Christ where Christ is the head and the rest of us are the ligaments and muscles and bones. We're all held together by Christ. One Christ.


Discussion:

The heresies that were flying around the towns and countryside where Paul's missionary journeys had taken him to grow and develop churches became a bigger and bigger threat to the infant churches. This was a serious threat to the new believers and it was something Paul battled from his prison cell.

In this discussion, think about the ways that the new Gnostics are trying to frustrate Christianity today.

What do you know about the New Age/Spiritistic Theology and Philosophy?

What do you know about Scientology?

Both of these "new age" religions make promises about enlightenment and God that is no more founded on the Bible than the Gnosticism that was running rampant through Macedonia during Paul's time. And yes, make no mistake about it, these new age theologies attempt to confound Christianity.

New Age Gnostics: An excellent Biblical response to the New Age Movement can be found here:

http://www.carm.org/nam/naresponseto.htm

I have two verses that I find comforting in that they say all I need to say about the new age theology:

1.) Ephesians 2:18 -- For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

2.) John 14:6-7-- Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

I urge you to take six minutes of your time and watch this video of Oprah as she launches the New Earth Webcast -- and be mindful of her words: ...there are many paths to what you call God... and ...there couldn't possibly be just one way...

   http://youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA


We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you would send your angels to guard and protect your church here on earth from all false teachings. We are under attack and need your help. I pray that your Holy Spirit would wrap around the heart of each and every Christian so that we can all rest on you for our faith and find strength in your gospel message of salvation. Amen.

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Ephesians 3:14-21

Paul prays for the Ephesians. He tells them he prays for them. He tells them that he kneels before God the Father and prays for the entire family of God -- all of God's children.

Paul prays power and love from God to the Ephesians.

Well, my Concordia Study Bible offers this footnote on page 1807: God's key gifts are "power" (vv. 16, 18, 20) and "love" (vv. 19-20).

In verse 16, Paul writes: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And in verses 17b-18: And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ...

And in verses 20-21: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

And in verse 19, we see the extent of the love that Paul prays for the Ephesians: ...to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Matthew Henry offers this commentary: Blessings were made known to believers, by the Lord's showing to them the mystery of his sovereign will, and the method of redemption and salvation.

But these must have been forever hidden from us, if God had not made them known by his written word, preached gospel, and Spirit of truth.

Christ united the two differing parties, God and man, in his own person, and satisfied for that wrong which caused the separation. He wrought, by his Spirit, those graces of faith and love, whereby we are made one with God, and among ourselves.

...What a gracious promise that is, which secures the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who ask him! The sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit seal believers as the children of God, and heirs of heaven. These are the first-fruits of holy happiness.

And who among us would not want to be a child of God?

And if we were assured that we could God talking to us, who among us would not want to hear God. We have his Word. We can hear God talking to us down through the ages.

The same message that God breathed onto the paper through the fingers that held the pens of the early prophets, and disciples, and apostles. That's the same God today as he was back then. His Word is printed in our Bibles. The Bible is at our fingertips. Who among us would not want to read the Word of God?

And who among us would not want to be heirs of heaven? That is God's promise to us -- through Christ's death on the cross for the forgiveness of all our sins, we are heirs to the Kingdom of God.

That's grace. Good works won't get you into the Kingdom of God. Entrance is restricted to those who are blessed with God's grace. And who among us would want to disqualify ourselves by not claiming this gift of grace?

It's not about good works. It's about grace.

Sometimes I think we get confused about what we think good works are. Good works like good deeds that we do for other people. Or good works like not being over-indulgent. Good works like not losing our temper. Good works like sending care packages to college students and military people and other loved ones who are far away from home. Good works like driving our neighbor to the doctor. Good works like mowing our neighbor's yard.

Good works don't buy forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness is not for sale. But it did come with a price. The heavy price of Jesus Christ's death on the cross. Forgiveness is yours and mine for the asking.

So all we need to do is ask for forgiveness -- there, hold out your hand. Unlock your heart. Pray for the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and take up residence within you.

Discussion:

Think of all the things you do in a week's time that would be considered good works.

It isn't that God doesn't want us to do kind things, for this is what we do in the name of love.

Remember the verse that says, "Good trees bear good fruit?" We do good works because we are loved and want to show our love for others. So we do things that we hope will please others. That's what good works are all about.

And God smiles when he sees us doing that, I think.

So we ought not to stop doing good deeds. Rather, we need to be careful in what we think those good works are going to get us. After all, good works are about good will. That's what we get from good works. We get the good will of the person or organization that we do them for.

Not even close to what God's grace will gift us with.

We pray: Oh Lord, my heavenly father, I thank you for the gift of forgiveness of sins and salvation and heaven that comes to me through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

I pray that the Christian faith will continue to spread far and wide around this globe. I pray that Christians everywhere will be rejuvenated in their faith practices and seek you out.

I pray that you will bless our work and everything that we do for others. Thank you for all the abilities that you give each one of us so that we can serve you better. Amen.

##

Ephesians 3:1-13

In these first couple of verses, Paul is reminding the Ephesians that he is in Rome under arrest because of his preaching the gospel message. Paul says, in verse 2, surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

Paul had been in Ephesus for an extended period so it is likely that most of the Ephesians that he was writing this letter had either met him or had heard of him. However, since this letter was written as a letter to be read to a number of the churches, Paul takes no chances and reviews his spiritual biography briefly.

And again, starting at verse 4, we have a message that I believe was directly addressed to the Gnostics in the area. Paul wants these people to know that he, Paul, had been given the solutions to great spiritual mysteries.

Here's what Paul says in verses 4-6: In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members in the promise in Christ Jesus.

It is Paul who knows the solution to the mystery. It is Paul who had been given this spiritual insight by none other than the Holy Spirit. It is Paul who wants the Gnostics to drop away from their heretical leanings. For it is Paul who speaks with the authority to the Holy Spirit.

And it is Paul who is also telling the Jews and Gentiles alike that they are both brought together as children of God. Together the Israelites share a common heirship with the Gentiles through the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for all.

This is the gospel message that Paul reiterates time and time again -- to the Colossians, to the Corinthians, to the Philippians, to the Romans and now to the Ephesians. It is this gospel that Paul says he is a servant to in verse 7. And this message became Paul's insight as a gift from God. It was God's grace that brought this insight to Paul.

What is amazing about all this, Paul says in verses 8-9 is: Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

This is the exact same message that Paul had said to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15:9 -- For I am ... unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

When Luke was writing the Book of Acts, he remembers it this way in Acts 9:15 -- But the Lord said to [Paul], "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel."

So what exactly did Paul mean by "the unsearchable riches of Christ?"

Matthew Henry has a commentary about that: The apostle Paul knew the mysteries of the kingdom of God as well as ever any man; yet he confesses himself at a loss; and despairing to find the bottom, he humbly sits down at the brink, and adores the depth.

Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their own weakness most.

There is not only depth in the Divine counsels, but riches; abundance of that which is precious and valuable. The Divine counsels are complete; they have not only depth and height, but breadth and length (Ephesians 3:18) and that passing knowledge.

There is that vast distance and disproportion between God and man, between the Creator and the creature, which for ever shuts us from knowledge of his wages.

What man shall teach God how to govern the world?

The apostle adores the sovereignty of the Divine counsels. All things in heaven and earth, especially those which relate to our salvation, that belong to our peace, are all of him by way of creation, through him by way of providence, that they may be to him in their end.

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=53&source=2&seq=i.52.11.4

Paul tells the Ephesians that God's intent was to bring the knowledge of his mysteries to them through the church.

These mysteries had been hidden up until this point for it is through Jesus Christ that this was all accomplished according to God's own purpose.

And now the time had come -- the cosmic clock had struck the minute hand of destiny and it was time for God's mysteries to unfold. They were revealed through Jesus Christ, and brought to the Ephesians by Paul himself, as unworthy as he claimed to be.

None of us is unworthy. Paul says in verse 12: In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

This reminds me of the time when my sister and I had gone to a carnival. We must have been in high school at the time. Anyway, Cookie wanted to go into this tent where a fortune teller was, so she dragged me in there.

The fortune teller started out by telling us that someone had placed a curse on us and we needed to buy some of her special candles which she would light during the next seven days while she murmured these special incantations.

Well, eyes got about as big as silver dollars. She wanted $80 for all this. The money was not so much for the candles as her prayer intercessions.

I told her that the God I prayed to didn't charge anything for my prayers and I wasn't required to light candles. He could see my prayers just fine without them. We got out of there in a hurry, I can tell you that!

But my point is that we can approach God anytime we want to. In fact, he wants to hear from us all the time. He'll stop what he's doing to hear us.


Discussion:

Have there been times in your life when you felt as if you were looking into the brink? Were those awesome moments that made you think of deep inquiries into your soul? Or were they despairing moments when you thought for a tiny fleeting moment that your problems were too small and inconsequential to matter to a God who fills up the universe?

If your response is the latter, than I would encourage you to write verse 8 on a slip of paper and carry it in your pocket. Take it out when you feel small and unimportant for you know that God has something that he wants you to do. In fact, in Ephesians 2:10, he says that he prepared a project just for you to do.

(Verse 8, again: Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace as given to me...)

God's grace comes to us. My experience has been that it comes by way of a job that he hands me to do. I task that wakes me up in the morning. If I try to put it off, it becomes a nagging thought -- a kind of "just do it" nag.

And so I think I might just as well go on and get out of bed. Not going to get much sleep anyway with nagging thoughts jumping around in my head. Then I realize that I have much to be thankful for -- just being able to get things done.

We pray: Oh Lord, I thank you that you let me get near you and that you hear my prayers. I thank you for all your blessings you have given to me -- for health and happiness and the wonder of intellect.

I especially pray for all the victims of the floodings in the vast center of this country. Please be with these people who have lost so much. I pray that you will give them strength as they rebuild their lives and homes and churches. Amen.

##

Ephesians 2:11-22

Can you just imagine how difficult it was for Paul to unite the Jews with the Gentiles? What were some of the most challenging aspects, do you suppose?

Well, first of all, the Jews believed -- in fact, they had been told by none other than God himself -- that they were the chosen people.

Down through the generations, the Jewish people honored the traditions that their forefathers got from Moses. These were actually more than traditions. Instead, they were big Rules! An entire book of the Bible -- Leviticus -- is devoted to those rules that were wrapped around the how-tos of worship and living. The tribe of Levi was given the responsibility of keeping these rules holy and seeing to it that the Jewish people were strictly governed by, guess what, Levitical rules.

The rules were a big deal. Nothing to tamper with!

Now here comes Paul who's telling them that Jesus Christ came to fulfill this law. And Paul wants them to think about these old time-honored rules that he calls "ordinances."

I suspect the Gentiles may have been wondering what all the fuss was about. For instance, if it's true that Jesus fulfilled these old laws for everybody, then why wouldn't the Jews lighten up just a bit? After all, the Gentiles truly believed that Jesus was the Son of God. He had come to earth in human flesh, died as a gift of forgiveness from his father for all mankind. 

The Gentiles may have been most willing to worship together with the Jews. In all likelihood, it was the Jews who wanted to keep their faith and worship practices segregated from the Gentiles.

And why would that be? Well, for starters, the Gentiles weren't circumcised. And Paul was telling them they didn't have to be. This business about circumcision had to do with the Levitical law.  This circumcision was a way of being obedient to God -- following his rules, the Jews believed, brought them into a covenant relationship with God.

Paul tells the Gentiles this in verses 12-13: Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

The Gentiles were no longer separated from God because Jesus Christ brought a new covenant for all people. He did this by dying for all mankind on the cross.

It is belief in Christ and his forgiveness of sins that brings this new covenant relationship to Gentiles and Jews alike. The old covenant relationship with God that was signified by circumcision was replaced by the blood of Christ.

"I don't know," the Jewish people probably thought. "This sounds like disobedience to us."

And they'd heard stories that were passed down through the generations of their people about what God did when the Israelites were disobedient.

So that's the mind set of the Jewish people in Ephesus, Colosse, Phrygia, and the rest of Macedonia and Galatia and the middle east as well.

The Jews balked at Paul's message. The Gentiles didn't. And there's the reason why Paul said, "Fine. I'll go preach to the Gentiles, then."

Except that Paul is always trying to get these groups of believers merged together. He really wants one cohesive group of believing Christians. Oh sure, the apostle Peter was working on the Jewish believers as well.

And don't forget from our studies that there is now another group of people settling in the middle east. Those are the Scythians. They'd gotten themselves booted out of Persia. (That's Iran in this day and age.)

As if Paul didn't have his hands full, the Scythians come into this area with the notion that people went to paradise if they had enough experiences that brought them knowledge about the great mysteries. These experiences allowed them to develop insights that would solve the mysteries and when that happened, the gates of paradise opened for them. These were the heretics running around the middle east. They were having trouble giving up the idea of Gnosticism.

But did Paul waver? No.

Was Paul frustrated? I'd just bet that at times he was.

But you see, Paul had the Holy Spirit with him. And because Paul spoke with the power and authority of the Holy Spirit, he could out-shout all these home-grown philosophers. He could out-maneuver them intellectually. His great passion for preaching to all of these people sprang from the very depths of his soul.

No. Paul was not about to give up. He was fully equipped for the call of Jesus Christ who, with the Holy Spirit, shot holes in Satan's arguments every time!

Listen to what Paul says about these Levitical laws in verse 14: For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.

Uh, those commandments and regulations were those rules that were written down in Leviticus.

But there's an important distinction to be made here, for Paul wasn't advocating that the Jews should stop obeying the Levitical laws, but rather, the separation between the Jewish believers and the Gentiles was removed. The Jews couldn't use the laws of old as a barrier -- and a hostile one at that -- to keep the Gentiles from receiving the blessings of salvation.

I have a cross reference here to Matthew 5:17 where Jesus makes this point clear: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

And here is what Paul said in his letter to the Romans in the 3rd chapter, verse 31 -- Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By now means! On the contrary we uphold the law.

So you see, it wasn't that Paul was trying to do away with the law, but rather, that he wanted both the Jews and the Gentiles to understand that through Jesus' death for the sins of mankind, the covenant relationship with God had a new definition -- namely, the gospel message.

As Paul closes this chapter, he tells the Gentiles that they are no longer foreigners or aliens to this citizenship of heaven. They are members of God's household (verse 19) and Jesus himself is the cornerstone of this new spiritual home.

We see the culmination of this thought in verse 22 -- And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Discussion: This is a wonderfully welcoming message from Paul to the Gentiles. Can you restate the whole premise of Paul's position of the Levitical law, in your own words?

In review, how is Jesus' death and resurrection important in how the laws of old were defined? How do you see these two important positions, side by side?

We pray: I thank you, Lord, for the gift your grace. I pray that all who come to study your Word will be enlightened, strengthened and renewed through these messages.

I pray for all pastors, ministers, teachers, counselors and all who work in your service. I pray especially today for all the missionaries around the world who put themselves in harm's way to bring your message to unbelievers. I pray that you will bless their work and send the power of your Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of those who have doubts about the truth of the gospel message. Amen.

##
 

Ephesians 2:1-10 (continued on 3/26)

Paul reminds the Ephesians of their former lives when their transgressions and sins kept them separated from God, and in verse 2, he carries a warning to beware of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

He speaks of none other than Satan himself.

I have a cross reference to Revelation 9:11 that reads: They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon.

[Note: Abaddon means destruction, and Apollyon means destroyer. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206:12;%20Rev%209:11;%20%20John%2012:31%20&version=47)

And from Matthew Henry's commentary, we read: Sin is the death of the soul. A man dead in trespasses and sins has no desire for spiritual pleasures. When we look upon a corpse, it gives an awful feeling.

A never-dying spirit is now fled, and has left nothing but the ruins of a man.

...A state of sin is a state of conformity to this world. Wicked men are slaves to Satan.

Satan is the author of that proud, carnal disposition which there is in ungodly men; he rules in the hearts of men.

...God's eternal love or good-will toward his creatures, is the fountain from whence all his mercies flow to us; and that love of God is great love, and that mercy is rich mercy.

And every converted sinner is a saved sinner; delivered from sin and wrath. The grace that saves is the free, undeserved goodness and favour of God; and he saves, not by the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus.

Grace in the soul is a new life in the soul.

A regenerated sinner becomes a living soul; he lives a life of holiness, being born of God: he lives, being delivered from the guilt of sin, by pardoning and justifying grace.

Our faith, our conversion, and our eternal salvation, are not of works, lest any man should boast. These things are not brought to pass by any thing done by us, therefore all boasting is shut out.

All is the free gift of God, and the effect of being quickened by his power. It was his purpose, to which he prepared us, by blessing us with the knowledge of his will, and his Holy Spirit producing such a change in us, that we should glorify God by our good conversation, and perseverance in holiness.

Paul explains to the Ephesians, in verses 4-7: But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

And then Paul writes in these words that have been indelibly written on the hearts of Sunday School children the world over, in verses 8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.

So just in case the Ephesians were getting the idea -- and we don't know if they were or not -- but Paul wanted them to be very clear about this: There is no way in heaven or in earth that any man can "earn" his way into heaven. Good works will just not get your there. It's as simple as that. No man can make that claim, and certainly nobody can brag about it as if they could get to salvation by their good deeds.

Just not going to happen.

But, if you call on the name of Jesus Christ -- then you can come to the Father. You must believe that our Heavenly Father paved the way for you on streets of gold and he did this by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins.

Forgiveness is yours for the asking. Heirship in the kingdom of God is yours for the claiming. It's just that simple -- and it's just that complicated.

It's all about grace. God's grace to mankind because he loves us all that much.

But look at what verse 10 says: For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Make no mistake about it, God likes it when we are kind to others and do our good deeds -- this pleases God very much. I refer you back to Colossians 1:10 which we read only a short time ago: ...walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

I believe that God sends people to us, to cross our paths. Perhaps they come to us with needs that we can supply. Perhaps they cross our paths by bringing us opportunities to minister to them.

Pay special attention to the second part of verse 10: ...God prepared in advance for us to do.

There are no coincidences where God is concerned. There are no accidents when it comes to opportunities to do good deeds, to forgive others, to be kind, to love other people just like we love ourselves. These scenarios in our lives are put there by God. We run through the scenes of our lives too quickly sometimes. As if we were just reading our lines.

But keep in mind that there are only three persons in the audience watching us: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

God the Father is watching to see what we do about the scenario he set up for us. The plot -- the characters -- did we show our Heavenly Father that we exercised our free will by making the choice that would be pleasing to Him?

And God the Son is watching us. If we continue to behave in ways that are less than kind, or if we continue to live our lives in sin, then Jesus Christ is thinking about his anguish on the cross where he died for our sins, perhaps. If we continue to willingly live our lives filled with sin, then haven't we turned our back on Christ and everything he did for our salvation?

And then there's the Holy Spirit watching us. Oh my goodness. Here is the person in the Trinity who knows what kind of corrective life experience we need in order to become disciplined children of God.

Free will -- it's about making choices that are pleasing to God.

Because God is watching us from his vantage point in the audience of our lives.

(I will continue Chapter 2 in the morning.)

Ephesians 1:1-23

This letter to the Ephesians was most likely written while Paul was still in prison in Rome, most likely around 60 A.D. (Concordia Study Bible note on page 1802). Some scholars place Paul's writing at 62 A.D.

Paul had long experiences with the church at Ephesus.

His first visit to the Ephesians is recorded in Acts 18:19-21: And  he came to Ephesus ... entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. When they desired him to tarry longer with them, he consented not; but bade them farewell, saying, "I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem; but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. KJV

Paul returned to Ephesus on his second missionary journey, as we read in 1 Corinthians 16:9 -- But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

Keep in mind that at this time in Ephesus, there were many who worshipped Artemis. The Ephesians made all these little silver statues of Artemis which were a hot seller in the marketplaces. Artemis was supposedly the daughter of Leto and Zeus. She was the twin of Apollo. She became the goddess of fertility and childbirth even though she was supposedly a virgin goddess. Making statues of her was a very successful industry in Ephesus so when Paul was talking about an "effectual" being opened up for him, he was talking about going after all these idolaters.

It was a mission field fertile for planting the gospel message of Jesus Christ. I mean if the Ephesians had pinned their hopes on a little silver statue, just imagine what they would do when Paul brought them to great news of salvation that was real.

Paul stayed in Ephesus for three years on this journey. The statue makers were not happy to have him there because he was interfering with their source of income, and bankruptcy was not what they had in mind!

Paul was successful in converting many believers to Jesus Christ and establishing churches. While he was in Ephesus during these three years, the gospel spread throughout Asia (Acts 19:26).

On Paul's last journey to Jerusalem, he landed at Miletus, an old city dating back to Hittite days. Miletus is a near neighbor of Ephesus and Smyrna. We have this account in Acts 20:17-19: And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said to them, "Yeknow, from the first day that I came to Asia, after what manner I have been with yo at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the laying in wait of the Jews. KJV

So you see, from these accounts, we can surmise that Paul had many established relationships with the church in Ephesus as well as the surrounding areas in Asia.

He begins this letter to the Ephesians with what I would call a "general opening" to all the saints in Ephesus. And at verse 3, he begins what we call a doxology -- that is a recitation of worship and honor, and a recounting of the blessings that the faithful enjoy.

My Concordia Study Bible lists these as blessings through the Father (verse 3), blessings coming from the Son (verse 4-13a), and then blessings we have from the Holy Spirit (verses 13b-14). (page 1804): Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love, having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself; that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. KJV

I compare verses 7-10 above to the New International Version: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Gods grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ to be put into effect when the time will have reached its fulfillment -- to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. NIV

These early verses of this chapter strike an inquiry in my mind about sinners being chosen to live with God from the beginning of time. But man falls into sin and this sin separates mankind from God. Through Christ we become pardoned sinners and are restored to the privileges that sin had taken away from us. Through his Son, Jesus Christ, our loving Heavenly Father restores us through grace.

And remember that the Gnostics who were seizing every opportunity to disrupt this flow of grace from God in the early churches were hard at work through the minions of evil in Ephesus.

So Paul against reminds the Ephesians that God has revealed his great mysteries to believers and this wisdom and understanding comes to them according to God's good pleasure (verse 9). This is a direct message to the Gnostics to stop stirring up trouble -- the church at Ephesus was secured for Christ.

Matthew Henry has this to say about the closing verses of this doxology: Blessings were made known to believers, by the Lord's showing to them the mystery of his sovereign will, and the method of redemption and salvation.

But these must have been forever hidden from us, if God had not made then known by his written word, preached gospel, and Spirit of truth.

Christ united the two differing parties, God and man, in his own person, and satisfied that wrong which caused the separation. He wrought, by his Spirit, those graces of faith and love, whereby we are made one with God, and among ourselves. He dispenses all his blessings, according to his good pleasure.

His Divine teaching led whom he pleased to see the glory of these truths, which others were left to blaspheme.

What a gracious promise that is, which secures the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who ask him! The sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit seal believers as the children of God, and heirs of heaven.

These are the first-fruits of holy happiness. For this we were made, and for this we were redeemed; this is the great design of God in all that he has done for us; let all be ascribed unto the praise of his glory.

I have a cross reference to Deuteronomy 7:6 -- For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

And another reference to James 2:5 -- Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him

In Matthew Henry's commentary, we are warned to ... deal decidedly with our lusts that war against our souls; let us not show them any mercy, but mortify, and crucify, and utterly destroy them. http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/mapsgreeceparts/p/Miletus.htm

Henry also adds this comment -- God has laid up spiritual blessings for us in his Son the Lord Jesus; but requires us to draw them out and fetch them in by prayer. Even the best Christians need to be prayed for. and while we hear of the welfare of Christian friends, we should pray for them. Even true believers greatly want heavenly wisdom.

... Here is signified that it is Christ the Savior, who supplies all the necessities of those who trust in him, and gives them all blessings in the richest abundance.

And by being partakers of Christ himself, we come to be filled with the fullness of grace and glory in him. How then do those forget themselves who seek for righteousness out of him! This teaches us to come to Christ. http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=57&source=2&seq=i.56.1.4

Again, in verse 17, Paul says that he continues to ask the God of our Lord Jesus to give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. Paul tells the Ephesians that he wants the eyes of their understanding to be enlightened so that they will know the hope that they have been called to and the riches of the glory of their inheritance.

Notice how many times Paul uses words like knowledge and understanding and wisdom and revelation through this letter and the other prison epistles as well. This is a direct confrontation to the beliefs of gnosticism that held salvation comes through knowledge that comes from life experiences, not salvation through grace from God.

Paul wants the believers to know that salvation is theirs through Christ, whom God raised from the dead and set him at his right hand in heaven, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. (verses 20-21)

God the Father has put all things beneath the feet of his son Jesus Christ, and God the Father gave Christ to be the head over all things to the church. (verse 22)

To this end, Matthew Henry offers this: Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures than to walk as becomes those called to Christ's kingdom and glory.

By lowliness, understand humility, which is opposed to pride.

By meekness, that excellent disposition of soul, which makes men unwilling to provoke, and not easily to be provoked or offended.

We find much in ourselves for which we can hardly forgive ourselves; therefore we must not be surprised if we find in others that which we think it hard to forgive.

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=57&source=2&seq=i.56.4.1

Discussion:

The church, in its full glory, is a collection of believers. Our Heavenly Father puts Jesus Christ over the church to be its head and to bring the church to its fulfillment in Christ. And because the church is of holy origin, we ought to make sure that we keep it holy. To that end, Paul addresses the sovreignty of Jesus Christ in the church in the prison epistles. Paul outlines rules of how we are to behave in churches, how we are to treat the church, and what we are to supply to the church. He lays down the rules for the church. 

In a letter we haven't studied yet, Paul reminds Timothy: ...if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2:5)

Paul refers to the church as the body of Christ. How if this reverence for Christ observed in your church?

What are some of the rules observed in your church?

How does your church help others through their hardships?

How does your church teach others to follow Christ?

We pray: Oh Lord, our Heavenly Father, I pray that others will recognize my faith in you by my walk through life.

I pray that you will give me the courage to approach others with information about the power and joy of your love.

I pray that you will bless the church of Faith Lutheran in Shumway so that we can minister to those around us in need, and welcome those who are hungry to know you.

I pray that you will bless the work of all pastors and ministers, teachers and counselors who bring the Word of God to unbelievers and believers alike. I pray that your Holy Spirit will flow through these ministers as they enrich the lives of others. Amen.

##

THE APOSTLE PAUL'S LIST OF THINGS TO DO FOR HEAVENLY LIVING

Paul's encouragers for this "heavenly walk" include:


Colossians 3:1-10

-- set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (verse 1a);

-- set your mind on things above, not on earthly things (verse 2)

-- you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God (verse 3)

-- put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry (verse 5)

-- you must rid yourselves of all things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (verse 8)

-- do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (verses 9-10)


Ephesians 5 through 6:9

-- live a life of love, just as Christ loved us (verse 2)

-- there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people (verse 3)

-- there should be no obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving (verse 4)

-- no immoral, impure or greedy person -- such a man is an idolater -- has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God (verse 5)

-- let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore, do not be partners with them. (verses 6-7)

-- live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth (verses 8-9)

-- find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. (verses 10-12)

-- Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (verse 15)

-- do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (verse 18)

-- Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (verses 19-20)

-- Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (verse 21)

-- Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. (verses 22-23)

-- Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (verses 25-28)

-- Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (verse 6:1a)

-- Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord (verse 4)

-- Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. (verses 5-8)

-- Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. (verse 9)


1 Timothy 2:8-15

-- I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. (verse 8)

-- I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (verses 9-10)

-- A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. (verses 11-12)


1 Timothy 6:1-2

-- All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. (verse 1)

-- Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them. (verse 2)


Titus 2:1-10

-- You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. (verse 1)

-- Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. (verse 2)

-- Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (verses 3-5)

-- Encourage the young men to the self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (verses 6-9)

-- Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please the, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching aobut God our Savior attractive. (verses 9-10)

Discussion:

The apostle Peter also compiled a list for living in Christ. (1 Peter 2:13 - 3:7)

In the references above to slavery, substitute the word "employee" since slavery has pretty much been outlawed in the world. And "employer" instead of the word "master."

Lots to discuss here, as Paul outlines the way we ought to live.

Keep in mind that Paul's pen was guided by the Holy Spirit, so this isn't really a list from just a man, but rather, someone who spoke with the full authority of God through the Holy Spirit.

For this reason, this list is not to be minimized as something that is 2,000 years old and out of date. It most certainly needs to be fresh in our hearts and used as a guide in our lives today.

We pray:  Oh Lord, I thank you again for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins and for the sins of all mankind. It just boggles my mind that you could love me that much.

I pray that you would guide me through my days so that I can live to please you and to serve you. I pray for strength and diligence as I go through my days here on earth.

I pray for all missionaries, pastors, teachers, counselors and other church workers who bring the gospel message to others, some overtly, while others in most subtle ways. I pray that their messages of truth and love will bear fruit in the hearts of those they minister to.

I pray for a Christian leader to be elected to our United States presidency. I pray that this person will be someone who can calm the unrest in this country and bring us to a more centered focus on Jesus Christ.

I thank you, Lord, for the gifts of your blessings to us and I pray that I will be given opportunities to share these gifts with others in building your kingdom here on earth.

Amen

##

Colossians 4:1-18

Just a reminder: if you do not have a Bible and would like to read along, go to this web site for a Bible online: http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=47

Paul closes down this letter to the Colossians with these words of encouragement in verses 2-5: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

My goodness, Paul's message in these early verses dovetail so beautifully with the message of Christ at the Last Supper -- his new commandment that we love each other as he has loved us.

Paul says to make the most of every opportunity when we meet outsiders (unbelievers) and always be gracious to them and our conversation is to be "seasoned with salt" so that they know how to answer everyone. That, to me, would be the hard part of missionary work. What do you say to unbelievers who just will not be convinced that their salvation is a gift of grace when they have been raised and indoctrinated that they have to be good, do good deeds, live a life as sin-free as possible so that they can go to heaven.

All the suppositions come to the surface with questions like, "Well, then, if I don't have to earn my way to heaven, then can I just do any old thing I want to, because I'm going to be forgiven anyway?"

There are some who actually believe this. So Paul prays for opportunities to interject the gospel message into the hearts of these unbelievers and he asks for prayers from the Colossians as well so that these will not be lost opportunities.

The fact that he was able to discuss this gospel message in meaningful ways so as to bring unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ is a testament to how the Holy Spirit works through us to reach out to others and bring them to faith.

Remember the words I've quoted from a former minister: Remember the life you lead, you may be the only Bible someone will read. So even if you don't have the courage of an evangelist, you can still lead your life so that others will know you are a Christian just by the way you behave.

Paul was a great encourager of having an active prayer life. This is the power of the Christian's faith.

And if you can't think of anything you want to pray for, then pray for missionaries.

And if you don't think you deserve to ask God for anything, then pray a prayer of thanksgiving that you are so blessed that you have what you need. Pray for those people who have many needs.

But above all, pray. Get into regular conversations with God throughout the day. You will be amazed to learn that God does care and he does answer. Many times through the day, I whisper in my head, "I need help with this." And then I get this little lightning bolt of a thought that is just the right answer at just the right time.

Sometimes, if I keep my mouth shut and quiet down all those busy thoughts running around the inside of my head, I can relax and actually feel a conversation going on. It happens when I'm quiet and I listen. Funny how that works.

I have a cross reference to Mark 9:50, which also talks about salt: Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.

Salt not only is a preservative, but it also adds to food a delicious flavor enhancer. Salt makes food more palatable.

So when the Christian talks to an unbeliever about faith and the gospel message of Jesus Christ, I think Paul wants us to keep in mind that we need to be mindful of what we say and how we say it.

Metaphorically, too much salt could be a turn-off. Too little salt would leave the taste buds wanting. The Holy Spirit will help you find just the right amount for the perfect recipe of bringing someone to Christ.

Paul then tells the Colossians about the people who are surrounding him while he is in prison.

First off, there's Tychicus. We hear about Tychicus in Paul's Letter to the Ephesians (6:21) -- Paul refers to Tychicus as a beloved brother and a faithful minister in the Lord.

Then there's Onesimus, the slave that Paul was returning to his master in Colosse. They are carrying this Letter to the Colossians with instructions from Paul that the letter is also to be read at the church in Laodicea, a town about eleven miles from Colosse.

Paul mentions Aristarchus as a fellow prisoner. My Concordia Study Bible has this to say about this fellow traveler with Paul (p. 1830) -- A Macedonian, who is mentioned three times in Acts: 1) He was with Paul during the Ephesian riot (Acts 19:29); 2) Both he and Tychicus were with Paul in Greece (Acts 20:4); and 3) He went with Paul on his trip to Rome (Acts 27:2).

Aristarchus was a Jew from Greece (Eerdmans' Handbook to the Bible, page 613).

Make a special note that Mark is also with Paul. Remember him? He's Barnabas' cousin. There had been a falling out between Mark and Paul when Mark had deserted Paul at Pamphylia (Acts 15:38). We learn from these verses in Colossians that this rift has been reconciled.

And then there's Jesus (called Justus). Paul says that these are the only Jews who are his fellow workers.

Epaphrus is mentioned in verse 12. He is a Colossian. Paul says that Epaphrus prays for the Colossians that they will be firm in their faith. Paul says he vouches for Epaphrus that he has been working hard for you and for those in the church at Laodicea and Hierpolis.

And Paul mentions his beloved friend Luke in verse 14. He stayed with Paul until the end. (Eerdman, page. 613)

Paul sends greetings from Demas also, even though Demas later defected. A cross reference to 2 Timothy 4:10 reads -- For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

Paul acknowledges a woman named Nympha and the church she has in her house. These early churches frequently met in peoples' homes since they had no constructed buildings in which to meet. The early Christians frequently relied on the invitation of hospitality of people who opened up their homes to receive worshipers.

A reference to Archippus says that he may have been Philemon's son (Eerdman, page 613). Paul wants the Colossians to tell Archippus in verse 17: See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.

Paul then closes the letter with the assurance that he has put his personal signature on it.

And so, dear friends in Christ, we close another one of Paul's letters. Rather than start another letter tomorrow, I would like to discuss the other instances of Paul's "lists" or "codes" that I mentioned in yesterday's study. There are four in total, including the one in Colossians 3:18-4:1.

The others are in Ephesians, 1 Timothy and Titus.

Discussion:

Draw this Letter to the Colossians into your hearts and discuss the many parallels to the commandment of Christ that we are to love one another.

What is the most powerful lesson you have gotten from this letter? Discuss these topics:
-- the supremacy of Christ?
-- the need to pray prayers of thanksgiving?
-- to pray for spiritual welfare of others around you?
-- can you recognize false teachers in this modern age?
-- rules for holy living?
-- rules for Christian households?

We pray: Oh Lord, I thank you that I am able to worship you out in the open, surrounded by fellow believers. We live in a society here in the United States where we take the freedom to worship so much for granted. I am so thankful that I can worship and that I don't have to hide in someone's house for fear of being seen. Thank you for keeping these freedoms alive in the United States.

I pray for the many readers around the world who do not enjoy such freedoms. I pray for so many people who worship you in fear of discovery. I pray for their safety and I pray that you would bless their study of your Word. Amen.

##

Colossians 3:1-25

In Colossians, we see Paul's heritage as a Greek come to light. In this chapter, his writing takes on a Hellenistic quality as he weaves a call for a moral code together with a Christian demeanor. More about that when he begins his "code" in verse 18.

Paul starts off this chapter with the words "since, then, you have been raised with Christ..."

He didn't say "if you have been raised with Christ..."

If he had used the word "if" instead of "since," then there have been a condition that would make something else happen. Rather, Paul used the word "since" which carries the certainty of a heavenly union with Christ.

And in Unger's Bible Handbook (page 698), we are told that since we are risen with Christ, then our walk or manner of life is also to be heavenly.

Paul's encouragers for this "heavenly walk" include:

-- set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (verse 1a);

-- set your mind on things above, not on earthly things (verse 2)

-- you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God (verse 3)

-- put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry (verse 5)

-- you must rid yourselves of all things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (verse 8)

-- do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator (verses 9-10)

And when you are able to do all these things, then you will be walking the "heavenly walk."

Take special note that in verse 10b, there is a reference to being renewed in knowledge. This is another reference for the Gnostics to realize that our self-knowledge brings us back to the truth that we are created in the image of our Creator.

Knowledge from earthly experiences will not bring us to salvation, but claiming the gift of grace through Jesus Christ will.

In verse 11, Paul makes the point again that as God's people, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free.

This is a series of contrasts and I want to tell you a little about who the Scythians were, since Paul compares them as opposites of barbarians.

The Scythians used to be nomads. They lived in old Persia -- what we'd call Iran today. They were known far and wide as great warriors. They were also super horsemen. Some say they were the first to tame the four-legged beasts into something useful like riding.

The Scythians ruled far and wide. Their dynasty went all the way from southern Persia through Syria and Judae and to the border of Egypt. Things were going along pretty good until the Medes ran them out of Persia. The Scythians then hightailed it on up to southern Russia, what we call Crimea.

Since the Medes thought that it was so easy to run them out of Persia, they'd go on up to Russia and take the newly conquested land away from the Scythians. Didn't work. The Scythians were onto the Medes' fighting tactics and bested them. Ran them off, right and proper. That would be the Persian king Darius I. And if you were looking up an article in the Persian News Gazette, that would be about 513 B.C.

Well, it must have been a long, long ride from Persia to Crimea because, along the way, some of the Scythians intermarried with the Greeks. Got a little refinement, they did. And that is why Paul contrasts the Scythians with barbarians. Their Greek wives probably smoothed out some of the warrior-encrusted edges of the fierce soldiers. Warriors they were. Barbarians, they were not.

http://history-world.org/scythians.htm

But it raises the point of how these Gnostics got to this corner of the world in the first place. Remember that the Gnostics originated from middle Asia where enlightenment and all that meditative pondering time was thought to be the superhighway to heaven.

So here comes Paul, going from one missionary journey to another, preaching that none of that stuff was going to get you to heaven. Paul was preaching the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

And Paul was preaching in the big middle of Scythians and Jews and Greeks. The Jews were trying as hard as they could to hold onto their old traditions and holy days and Paul is telling them to go ahead if they want but it's not going to get them to paradise.

The Greeks weren't going to get their with their "codes" either. Greeks like to make up what we call "to do lists" in this day and age. They had a formula for everything.

We're going to see in a few minutes that Paul uses the code method, starting at verse 18. But nowhere in Paul's writings does he make the claim that a codified style of living will get you to heaven. In fact, Paul very clearly comes back to the gospel message every chance he gets.

In verses 12-13, Paul makes it perfectly clear what we are supposed to be doing: Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Okay, so it's pretty easy to be compassionate and kind. We just plain old like helping people who have been thrown down by catastrophes to get back on their feet. We send gifts and food and write checks. We just love to be compassionate and loving and kind -- to show we care.  

Humility might not be so easy. Especially when we're proud of our compassionate, kind, loving nature. Need to be careful with humility, just so we don't get to be proud of our humility.

And then comes the biggy. Forgiveness. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And what did the Lord forgive? Everything that we have ever done. Even our very being is sinful. He forgave that too.

So here's the potential stumbling block: not forgiving others. If our Lord forgave us because we are sinners, don't you think we can forgive others if they are rude to us, mean to us, not-wrapped-too tight-annoying to us?

Forgive as the Lord forgave you -- take out a big diamond bit chisel and carve that onto the granite of your unforgiving heart if that verse applies to you.

And what a great Bible Study Colossians is in this Holy Week just before Easter. Just think about how the Lord has forgiven you when you go to church on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and the great joy of Easter Sunday when you hear the message of salvation anew.

And then Paul says, in verse 14: And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

These verses remind me of our dear departed mother. The greatest gift she gave me was teaching me to forgive. Over the course of many years, she disinherited me, angrily had her attorney rewrite her will -- writing me out, of course. What I had done was not known to me on many of the occasions. On other occasions, the incidents seemed minor -- certainly not anything that would warrant disinheriting a child.

But so she did. And a letter would come that if I called, she'd hang up on me and if I wrote her, the letter would be forwarded back to me, and if I came to visit, she have the police escort me off her property. With her taking that position, there was no wiggle room left for me at all. Except I could pray. And pray I did, because I loved her and I wanted to have a relationship with my mother.

Then would come a letter, or a note, or an "event card" like Thanksgiving, or Easter, or Christmas or Mothers Day. And the card would be signed, "Love, Mom."

But my forgiveness was wrapped around my love for her. And I was glad that I was with her during her final days and weeks, and then her last hours. I wanted her to know that I loved her and that I had forgiven her. But love superseded all of that. I learned, through her, how God feels when he forgives us, because he says "What sin? Don't remember that sin. Whatever are you talking about?"

That's the way forgiveness is. I don't remember all the details of her not being happy with me. Forgiveness is like a big giant eraser that resets the machine of love again.

If you can jump over that big stumbling stone of a stubborn, unforgiving heart, then you will know the peace that Paul is talking about in verse 15. And you'll be able to sing songs of joy because your heart will be filled with gratitude to God.

So then comes the "code" I mentioned earlier. And there was a "code" earlier. But make no mistake about it, these codes were not stepping stones to salvation. Rather, I think this was a technique in the culture that Paul grew up in. He learned to be a list-maker from his early education. And if you've ever learned to make lists, you know what I'm talking about.

I can relate to that somewhat when I remember my training as a paralegal. And even to this day, I enjoy reading legal documents and case notes when I can get ahold of them. It's a part of training and thinking. It will probably always be with me, just as critical thinking became operative in that training.

Paul was a list-maker. No doubt, it was a technique he used to organize his thoughts. The Greeks called these lists a "code." These lists were meant to be encouragers, or persuasive notes on how to behave.

Paul offers this list:

Wives, submit to your husbands (verse 18);

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them (verse 19);

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord (verse 20);

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged (verse 21);

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything (verse 22); and

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

Discussion:

So if you knew that Christ was watching you -- whether from where he sits at the right hand of our Heavenly Father, or if he comes down here to the earth and walks through the shadows not quite visible but still around us, watching us -- would you act differently?

How so?

I wish I were clever enough to be able to say to you that I timed these Bible Studies so that we'd be walking through Colossians as we get ready for Easter, but I'm not that clever. But this Letter to the Colossians is rich with Paul's persuasions of how we are to walk a "heavenly walk" while we are here on earth.

How has it helped you as you prepare yourself during this final week of Lent and for the message of Easter this coming Sunday?

We pray: Oh Lord, our Heavenly Father, I pray that you would stay in my heart and keep me ever close to you. I know I drift off and don't think about you as much as I should, or pray to you as often as I should. I thank you, Lord, for bring me back to the fold of your embrace when I wander.

I thank you Oh Lord for sending your son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins. As a mother, I just don't know how you could do that as a parent. But thank you. I pray that you will never regret saving me from my sins. I pray that you will help me when I need to be forgiving to others. Amen.

##

Colossians 2:1-23

Paul gets to his point right away in these very early verses. And his point is to restate as strongly as he can that salvation comes by grace from God through Christ. It is a heresy to believe that salvation can be had just by delving into mysteries and gaining knowledge (as the Gnostics were trying to get the Colossians to believe).

Paul takes an affirmative position and he speaks with the full authority given to him by the Holy Spirit.

He begins this chapter by telling the Colossians that he fully empathizes with them in the struggles that challenge them. There are heretics trying to infiltrate the fragile young churches. These heresies include such false beliefs as asceticism (practice of self-denial), Gnosticism (see notes from March 17), and worship of angels.

Paul is just not going to stand for this interference in the truth of the gospel message that he wants the believers to know is the real truth. Not like the Gnostics who believed that salvation was theirs through some kind of special knowledge they received when they figured out answers to mysteries. And then there was the ascetic variety of Gnostics who believed that the body was evil. It had to be dealt with harshly, punished.

It is this ascetic brand of Gnosticism that Paul is going after. Because, you see, if the body is wicked and evil, it doesn't matter if you break the law or not. Immoral behavior didn't have anything to do with breaking God's law. There were no consequences for misbehaviors since following the law didn't lead to anywhere. Not following the law went nowhere either. It was the human being that was evil, not what the person did -- so said the Gnostics.

So that's the background of this message to the Colossians. Heretics were trying to get a foothold.

Paul uses the pristine power of his logic. He also used the beauty of poetic metaphors that appealed to the highly literate Greek people. This letter to the Colossians is rich with the glory of the gospel message he brings from the Holy Spirit. Paul is in good form and he is more than up to the challenge to refute the heretics! He was not about to let them run fast and loose in the new churches.

Listen to Paul's choice of words in verses 2-4: My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.  For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

So you see, Paul goes right to the heart of the matter when he says that all treasures of wisdom and knowledge can be found in Jesus Christ. In and through Christ we will know the mystery of God.

As you read this letter to the Colossians, pay special attention to how often Paul uses words like knowledge, mystery, and understanding. These words are what the Gnostics put their belief in, not in the faith of Jesus Christ.

Listen to what the Holy Spirit said through Isaiah in 45:3 -- I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.

and in 1 Corinthians 1:24, Paul wrote: ...but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

From Matthew Henry's commentary, we read: Paul had been bred up in Jewish learning; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the sum and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, the fountain of all our joys. And by his death we live. The preaching of salvation for lost sinners by the sufferings and death of the Son of God, if explained and faithfully applied, appears foolishness to those in the way to destruction.

The sensual, the covetous, the proud, and ambitious, alike see that the gospel opposes their favorite pursuits. But those who receive the gospel, and are enlightened by the Spirit of God, see more of God's wisdom and power in the doctrine of Christ crucified, than in all his other works.

God left a great part of the world to follow the dictates of man's boasted reason, and the event has shown that human wisdom is folly, and is unable to find or retain the knowledge of God as the Creator.

...The message of Christ, plainly delivered, ever has been a sure touchstone by which man may learn what road they are traveling.

Read more: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=54&source=2&seq=i.53.1.3

So Paul is telling the Colossians to continue to live in Christ, the same Christ they received as their Lord and Savior because it is this strength that will flow into their lives.

Paul especially wants them to be aware that they need to be careful not to let anyone take them captive with hollow and deceptive philosophies which depend on human tradition and worldly principles rather than on Christ (verse 8).

In verses 9-10, Paul gets to the very core of Gnostic teaching when he says: For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

In a nutshell, here's how Paul refutes the Gnostics' arguments (Concordia Study Bible, page 1828):

"Paul declares that the Christian is complete in Christ, rather than begin deficient as the Gnostics claimed. This completeness includes the putting off of the sinful nature (v.11),

resurrection from spiritual death (vv. 12-13)

forgiveness (v. 13)

deliverance from legalistic requirements (v. 14),

and from evil spirit beings (v. 15).

In verses 16-18, Paul adds these cautions: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.

So then Paul argues why would anyone who belongs to Christ worry about submitting to all the earthly rules that are dictated by these other false teachings, like "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!

Paul says these are all destined to perish with us, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with the self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence  (verses 22-23).

I see an interesting footnote in my Concordia Study Bible on page 1829: A rather detailed analysis of the Colossian heresy:

1. It appeared to set forth an impressive system of religious philosophy.

2. It was, however, a system created by the false teachers themselves ("self imposed"), rather than being of divine origin.

3. The false teachers attempted to parade their humility.

4. This may have been done by a harsh asceticism that brutally misused the body.

Paul's analysis is that such practices are worthless because they totally fail to control sinful desires. The false teachers themselves had created the regulations of their heretical system. They were not from God.

As far as the worshiping angels is concerned, it is because the Gnostics put knowledge at its foundation of belief, not the gospel message of Jesus Christ. This knowledge sometimes included the Word of God, and also information that was given to them, they believed, by angels. And astrologers. And chemistry. They drew a spiritual significance on this information that led to their belief that justification could come by works of the law. This was a popular belief among the Judaizers who tried to work their "yeast" through the faith held by believers in the early churches.

Because of the belief that the spirit of a person was trying to get back to heaven, worship of angels and astrology was a common tenet of Gnosticism, since angels and the patterns of stars and planets were believed to hold keys to this spiritual journey. The Gnostic system happened to include an emphasis on the Old Covenant at the expense of Jesus Christ's life, death, and teachings. (http://bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/76/Angel-Worship.htm)

Discussion: Gnosticism philosophies had their source in the religions of Persia and India (Zoroastrianism and Hinduism) and that these ideas were brought into the West via Alexander the Great's conquest of Persia. These Eastern thoughts blended with Greek culture, producing a heady mixture that profoundly influenced the Jews of the time and Christians centuries later. However, the ultimate source of this "falsely called knowledge" -- as well as the one responsible for perpetuating these anti-God philosophies throughout time is, of course -- Satan.

Discuss other heresies that Satan used in the Garden of Eden when he tried to sow seeds of doubt that God could not be trusted. ("Did God really say....")

Satan's second heresy is in Genesis 3:4 -- "You shall not surely die" -- Satan wants us to believe that we are already immortal, so death has no real power over us.

The third heresy of Satan is found in Genesis 3:5 -- that by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, human eyes would be opened -- implying wisdom and enlightenment allow a person to know good and evil -- just like God.
 
The Gnostics, then, believe that because they advance through knowledge, they are the ones who will get up to the spiritual realm because they have the key to eternal life.

How do these three heresies undermine God's truth and plan for mankind?

We'll be hearing more about Gnostics later as we study the writings of John, for it wasn't just Paul and the early Christian churches who were exposed to these heresies. They were everywhere. And the disciples and apostles were at war with these false teachings.

We pray:  I pray, Oh Lord, that you would keep me safe from Satan and all that is evil.

I pray that you would guide these studies for all who participate and desire to learn more about you through your Word.

I pray that your Word would reach to every little corner of this world, so that all living persons can know you. Amen.

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Colossians 1:1-29

We are not going to get through these four power-packed chapters of Paul's letter to the church at Colosse without at least an elementary understanding of the heresies that were beginning to plague Paul's ministries.

These heresies included: ascetism, ceremonialism, angel worship and gnosticism. Paul addresses them all pretty much head-on.

The Gnostics believed that salvation was achieved through experiences that added to what a person knew. This was arrived at through a growing intuition, rather than lecture type information being handed out to students.

Like Buddhism, Gnosticism begins with the fundamental recognition that earthly life is filled with suffering.

Gnostics do not look to salvation from sin, but rather sin as a consequence of ignorance.

Knowing what you know of Paul and his passionate strength in the gospel message we can see where Paul would have a strong disagreement with the Gnostics. He didn't want them anywhere near the faithful followers of Christ.

It would not be until the 5th century when Christianity would become the state religion of the Roman Empire. Gnosticism seems to have reached its peak in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, then started dwindling down. This was primarily because there were a great number of heresy hunters out there looking for them, as well s the Roman Army.

We'll look at the other heresies as we go along here, but if you'd like to read more about Gnosticism, here's a web site: http://www.webcom.com/gnosis/gnintro.htm that will get you an introduction to this heresy.

Paul sends greetings from himself and from Timothy who is with Paul in Rome. He also tells the Colossians that he is thankful for their congregation and remembers them in his prayers. Paul tells them that when he prays for them it is because he has heard of their faith in Christ Jesus and of the love they have for all the saints -- the faith and love that springs from the hope that is stored up for them in heaven... (verses 4-5a)

Matthew Henry makes this comment in a cross reference to 2 Thessalonians 1:3 -- Where faith grows, love will abound, for faith works by love. It shows faith and patience...when trials from God, and persecutions from men, quicken the exercises of those graces...

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=61&source=2&seq=i.60.1.1

From where Paul is sitting in Rome under house arrest, he wants the Colossians to know that word has reached him all that way that their church has a wide reputation of the gospel bearing fruit and growing, just as it had been doing since the day they first heard about the gospel from Epaphras who Paul describes as a faithful minister of Christ (verse 7).

Paul then offers this most beautiful prayer for the Colossians (verses 9-14): For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Paul is aware of the underlying heresies that are flying about the region of Phrygia where Colosse is located. He takes a firm stand against these heresies in verses 15-18:

Christ is the image of the invisible God. This is actually the first time that Paul describes Christ in this way. Not "in the likeness" of God. Paul wanted people to know that when they had looked at Christ, they were looking at God. Christ became a visible person.

Christ is the firstborn of all creation. And because he was the firstborn of all creation, he had priority over all mankind.

The "thrones, powers, rulers and authorities" listed in verse 16 refers to a hierarchy of angels.

All things, including the angels, were created by Christ and for Christ.

Christ is before all things. And he holds things together.

Christ is the head of everything and because he is over everything, he is supreme.

The fullness of God dwells in Christ.

Christ reconciles all things -- on earth and in heaven, through the shedding of his blood.

Paul reminds the Colossians of just how far they have come in their journey of faith, in verses 21: Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

Matthew Henry writes this: A state of sin is a state of conformity to this world. Wicked men are slaves to Satan. Satan is the author of that proud, carnal disposition which there is in ungodly men; he rules in the hearts of men.

Paul then says that Christ has reconciled us so that we are holy in God's sight, without blemish -- and we are free from Satan's accusations and lies.

Henry continues with this: A regenerated sinner becomes a living soul...Sinners roll themselves in the dust; sanctified souls sit in heavenly places, are raised above this world by Christ's grace.

Read Matthew Henry's comments about these two verses at: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=57&source=2&seq=i.56.2.1

In verse 25 Paul talks about his suffering for the sake of Christ. Paul's sufferings were because he brought the news of Christ's atonement for all our sins. This verse does not minimize in any way what Christ did for sinners. The atonement was complete. Paul's sufferings, though, were not complete. Paul was willing to suffer to bring Christ's gospel to all the world. And in this way, he made Christ's suffering complete in him.

Paul then restates his apostolic authority as a commission he received from Christ himself. Paul wants the church at Colosse to know that he is a servant to this commission from God and wants to bring this gospel message in its fullness to the Colossians.

And again, in verse 26, he gives a sublet message against the Gnostics when he says that the word of God is presented to them to undo the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.

Recall that the Gnostics thought they were the "keepers" of many big secrets and mysteries. The low man on the street just weren't gifted with these treasured secrets about God.

And here comes Paul who demystifies the mysteries and even talks about salvation as a gift of grace from God. This was not what the Gnostics wanted the Colossians to believe! Not even close. The Gnostics believed that people could get to salvation intuitively. Kind of like thinking your way to heaven.

Paul says in verse 27: To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

So these Gnostics -- who had made a religion out of mysteries -- got out-debated by none other than the powerfully intellectual Apostle Paul who had become a willing vessel of the Holy Spirit, who assured the Colossians in verses 28-29: We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

And there's the one-two punch for Christianity!

Discussion:

Can you see how Paul's prayer for the Colossians counters the Gnostic beliefs, especially where salvation is concerned? Look to verse 12 to help you solidify your answer.

Take a few moments to talk about how Christianity went from a few close followers of Christ to become the state religion of the Roman Empire! How in the world did that happen in just a few short centuries. What role did the martyrdom of all the disciples, except John, play in this?

We pray: Dear heavenly Father, I pray for the safety of all your ministers who carry your message of grace and the gospel message of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the world. I pray that you would guide them in their work and keep them safe. And I pray for the safety of their families also.

I pray that your message will continue to flow through your missionaries. And I pray for all those people here in our own country who know of Christ but who do not live their lives according to his will. Especially now, in this holy season, I pray that the love of Christ and the knowledge of his death on the cross will touch sinners everywhere and that they will claim the resurrection truth of forgiveness. Amen.

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Philemon 1:1-25

This is a short letter -- only one chapter that contains these twenty-five verses.

Philemon is a citizen of Colosse, Phrygia (now part of Turkey), and it's generally held that this letter was written about the same time as Paul's Letter to the Colossians, and that this letter to Philemon was carried by the same person or persons.

The letter surrounds the matter of Philemon's runaway slave, Onesimus. Paul had met Onesimus and converted him to Christianity. Exactly how they came to know one another is not certain. But since Paul is imprisoned, it could well be that Onesimus had become a captured slave and that he met Paul while he, too, was in prison. Onesimus, in accepting that he was a slave, is returning to his owner, Philemon. But Paul is asking Philemon to accept Onesimus as a son of Paul and as a brother to Philemon.

Note though that Paul did not ask Philemon to free Onesimus and truthfully, we don't know for sure how the story ends once Onesimus gets back to Colosse. But Ignatius of Antioch does mention Onesimus as the Bishop of Ephesus in the early second century. It could well be that Onesimus is given his freedom and begins a journey that expands Paul's missionary work by preaching the gospel of Christ.

It's always been curious to me that this short letter is included in the canon. I mean, were there other such letters that Paul may have written to other people in other churches that were not included. Perhaps because the letters were lost?

But this letter has survived and because it makes a profound statement about reconciliation as well as a belief in Christ bringing a changed relationship within the individual believer, it is included in the Bible texts.

After telling the Philemon that Timothy is still with him while Paul is imprisoned, Paul identifies the recipient of this letter as Philemon, a dear friend and fellow-worker, as well as Apphia (thought to be the wife of Philemon) and Archippus, a fellow soldier and to the church that met in their home. Archippus is widely supposed to be either a son or sibling of Apphia. Tradition has it that Philemon, Apphia, Archippus and Onesimus were stoned to death during the reign of Nero. (Lockyer, Herbert, All of the Women of the Bible,Zondervan Publishing Company, p. 31)

If this is true, and since Nero died in 68 A.D., then it is at variance with Onesimus being the Bishop of Ephesus in the early second century. It could also mean that Onesimus was in Ephesus when the Nero-thugs rounded up Philemon and his household for execution in Colosse.

What we do know from this letter to Philemon is that Onesimus is a runaway slave who has been converted to Christianity by Paul. And Onesimus is going back to his master Philemon.

Paul intervenes with this letter and appeals to Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother, just as he would accept Paul as a brother, because Paul and Onesimus were fellow soldiers.

Let's listen to what Paul says to Philemon in what Martin Luther called "Holy flattery" in verses 4-7: I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

In verse 8, Paul goes to the core of his purpose in writing this letter -- and that is to ask for a re-entry for Onesimus into Philemon's life.

Note that Paul does not plead for Philemon to free the slave. But Paul does say he could be bold and order Philemon to do so. Rather, Paul says he's appealing to Philemon out of love.

In verse 11, Paul says, Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

A play on words? "Onesimus" means "useful" in Greek.

Paul says he's sending this slave back to Philemon even though he would have liked to keep Onesimus with him to take Philemon's place while he was in chains.  Paul isn't demanding that Philemon do anything. Paul isn't making any claims that his spiritual mission gives him any civil authority in this matter.

Ah, but there's the appeal to Philemon in verse 14: But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.

Then Paul adds this as perhaps a purpose, verse 15-16: Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good -- no longe as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

But here comes the strength of Paul's appeal: So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back -- not to mention that you owe me your very self. (verses 17-20)

Well, I don't know about you, but it would be very difficult for me to turn away from this thought.

And then, Paul adds in verse 21: Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

Well, Paul didn't actually come right out and make a direct request for anything. But it was stronger than a "Just think about it," thought. And then, if Philemon had the idea that he'd just forgive Onesimus and welcome him back as a slave -- rather than press charges against him as a runaway slave -- which was punishable by death in those days -- that idea was flying out the window pretty quick.

Paul had great diplomatic skills, don't you think? I'll just bet Philemon did exactly what Paul wanted him to do.

And before you know it, Paul is telling him to get the guest bedroom ready because Paul had every plan to come for a visit as soon as he got this little legal entanglement behind him and was out of prison.

Then Paul closes this short letter and adds some other prisoners to the list of people who send greetings to Philemon. These workers include Mark and Luke as well as Aristarchus, Demas and Epaphras.

Discussion:

What impresses you as you read this short Letter to Philemon?

I am always reminded when I read about Paul and his missionary work and pastoring to the early churches that he was tied to real history. Nero was very much a living being who died in 68 A.D.

There's some debate as when Paul actually died, but there are probably more references to 67 A.D. than any other date. To me that means his death was Nero's doing.

Do you think the outcome of spreading the gospel message would have been different if all the disciples and apostles had been willing to go into hiding until there came a safer time to come back out into the open?

How do you think it would have been different?

What do you think it says about a truth that's being preached when everyone is willing to face even death rather than give up the message of Christ?

We pray: I thank you Lord for prospering Quint and me and for allowing us to do your work. I thank you for your grace which shines through our lives. I pray that you would bless our friends and relatives -- we love them all and we thank you that you have put them in our lives. I pray that we may be a blessing to them and to all who cross our the paths of our lives this day.

We especially pray for our son Dean for a return to health. He has so much to offer so many. We pray also for his wife Diane so that she can return to the health of physical robustness too.

We thank you Lord for the rich blessings our our daughter Teri and her husband Rick who are shepherding groups at work on a rebuilding project in New Orleans. We pray for each of them who are working so hard for the people who have lost their homes and everything they had before Hurricanes Rita and Katrina roared in from the gulf winds and wrecked their lives. We pray for a safe return to their home church in Sand Point, Idaho.

We pray for our daughter, Sharon, and her husband Ron and their children -- Jerry and Heather -- for peaceful journeys through life together.

And for our son, Vern, and his wife Erin as well.

We pray for continued blessings in the building project at our church, Faith Lutheran, in Shumway, Illinois. We pray that this addition will be used to grow your kingdom here on earth and that many people will be blessed by an expanded ministry in this added space.

Amen.

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Philippians 4:1-23

Paul continues his assurances to the Philippians that they are honored and much loved in Paul's memory. As Chapter 3 closed, Paul admonished the Philippians to follow the course that he had set for them in their faith practices. 

One of these faith practices was prayer.

Matthew Henry makes these comments: Out of Christ, the best saints are sinners, and unable to stand before God. Inward peace springs from a sense of divine favour. And there is no grace and peace but from God our Father, the fountain and origin of all blessings.

At Philippi the apostle was evil entreated, and saw little fruit of his labour; yet he remembers Philippi with joy. ... People are dear to their ministers, when they receive benefit by their ministry. Fellow-sufferers in the cause of God should be dear to one another.

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=58&source=2&seq=i.57.1.1

But there appears to be some discord between two women -- Euodia and Syntyche. Paul pleads with these two women to find some common ground for an agreement between them. After all, they had worked side by side with Paul when the apostle was in Philippi. Something happened. Perhaps one of the women was too headstrong. The passages that refer to their are not clear.

What we do know is that their disagreements are very disturbing to Paul. Paul wants these two women to focus their energy on the work of Christ's gospel message. There had been a time when such was the case when they worked right alongside Paul, as did Clement, as did other workers who are not specifically named. These workers' names are written in the book of life (verse 3).

This Clement in verse 3 is traditionally thought to be the same Clement who became the pope and Bishop of Rome in 88 A.D. He died in 99 A.D.

Paul tells the Philippians to rejoice and continue in prayer. It's a message that is just as powerful for us in these modern times -- Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayers and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of god, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds Christ Jesus. (verses 4-7)

This admonishment of Paul's is clear in this cross reference to Psalm 37:5 -- Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

Paul then gives the Philippians a kind of "laundry list" of how to behave and closes his admonition with this thought in verse 9: Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Paul had been the gold standard of role modeling the Christian life and he wanted the Philippians to go forward in their faith practices, using him as a benchmark.

And now comes the Philippians -- the people from the church in Macedonia -- who finally are able to make a trip to Paul bearing gifts. For whatever reason, they had not been able to make their way to Paul before this time, but now they are here.

Do you remember how Paul made such happy references to the church in Macedonia when he wrote his second letter to the Corinthians? Here's the reference: 2 Corinthians 11:9 -- And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need...

Paul then tells the Philippians that he knows all too well what it's like to be in need and that he has learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (verse 12)

Then comes this capstone verse that we all so familiar with as Paul restates his great faith in Christ, in verse 13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Oh to have Paul's faith!

And now Paul reminds the Philippians of his thanksgiving and gratitude for their support of his missionary work, for even when Paul was in Thessalonica, the Philippians sent aid again. Now the Philippians have sent Epaphroditus with yet more gifts. Paul says these gifts are ...an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Then Paul closes the letter and sends greetings, as is customary in the tradition of Greek letter-writing. These tidings come from Paul and the brothers who are with him, all the saints, and especially those who belong to Caesar's household (verse 21).

Discussion:

In your discussion with this chapter and the Letter to the Philippians as well, talk about your prayer life.

Are you reluctant to ask God to bless you? Remember that God wants to hear from us about what we need. It's true that he is all-knowing and you may think he has your needs all figured out, but he really wants and needs to hear about that direct from you.

Do you thank God for all the blessings he has given to you? Paul says we should constantly be praising and thanking God for what he does for us.

Above all, remember that God wants to hear from you. If you are a parent, do you remember the times when you made a favorite meal for your kiddos? And you watched with such glee when the children obviously were enjoying the meal.

Did your child or children get up from the table and just walk out of the kitchen? Would you feel the same way about the whole meal if they came up to you and gave you a big hug and said, "Thank you for making my favorite supper for me."

You knew they were enjoying the supper. That was obvious. But it still felt good to hear them say it.

I remember when my mother was still living -- how she'd spend the best part of a week getting everything lined up for our arrival. She'd make sure she cooked my favorite foods that she remembered from when I was a kid. And she'd spend a lot of time preparing as much in advance as she could so that she could sit and visit with me.

Do you think I acknowledged her effort and gave her thanks? You bet I did.

Thanking God is like that too. He sees us, watches us, but still would like to hear us give thanks.

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you that I can come before you direct. I thank you that you want to hear from me and that I do not have to go through an intermediary.

I pray that you would bless all our children as they make their way through their lives. Be with them and watch over them, for they have challenges they are working through also.

And Lord, I thank you for all you do for me and for all the blessings you gift me with. Most of all, I thank you for the gift of your son Jesus Christ, whose death on the cross guaranteed my salvation. That must have been so hard for you to send him to earth to die for all of mankind, me included. I thank you so much for that. Amen.

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BIBLE STUDY: Philippians 3:1-21

"Rejoice," Paul says as he opens this chapter.

Matthew Henry says this: "We should rejoice more if we prayed more. Prayer will help forward all lawful business, and every good work. If we pray without ceasing, we shall not want for thanksgiving in every thing. We shall see cause to give thanks for sparing and preventing, for common and uncommon, past and present, temporal and spiritual mercies. Not only for prosperous and pleasing, but also for afflicting providences, for chastisements and corrections; for God designs all for good, though we at present see not how they tend to it."

Then Henry says, "We should abstain from sin, and whatever looks like sin, leads to it, and borders upon it."

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=60&source=2&seq=i.59.5.4

So Paul is going to restate some of the things that he has talked to the Philippians about when he ministered to them in their presence, so he says in verse 1: ...It is not trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Well, sure. Reiterating or restating something is generally a safeguard. Just in case a person might have misinterpreted or forgotten some little detail, restating a point makes sure that nothing gets lost. 

Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh, Paul says in verse 2. 

I have a cross reference to 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 -- For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles for Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Paul uses a strong comparison to these false apostles by calling them "dogs." Paul then describes himself in verses 3-6 when he recounts his being a Hebrew from the tribe of Benjamin, and a Pharisee who was a zealot -- how he hunted down the Christians and persecuted them. In essence, he was saying "So what? None of that got me anywhere and it wasn't even important because having faith in Christ is what it's all about."

See what Paul says in verse 7-8b: But whatsoever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

Paul then says that he figures everything is rubbish unless it helps him gain Christ.

Paul says he doesn't come to righteousness on his own from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ -- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. (verse 9)

Actually restates this powerful message of righteousness many times in this letter and other letters as well. It is through this restatement that Paul says, in verse 1 of this chapter, that there is a safeguard for the Philippians and all believers.

I take that to mean that we must never ever get the idea that we can earn our salvation. But because we are gifted with the grace of salvation, we will want to work for Christ and for building God's kingdom. We are saved by grace whether we ever host a Bible Study or a Prayer Group, or prepare an altar for worship on church services, or for that matter, never even attend church.

Going to church on Sunday doesn't make you a Christian any more than eating at McDonalds makes you a cheeseburger. But because you are saved, you will want to get yourself to church where you can worship and praise God in an assembly with other believers.

Paul speaks words of encouragement to the Philippians when he says in verse 10: I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul absolutely believed that because Christ rose from the dead, that we who die will also be resurrected. Paul must have wondered if he were nearing the end of his life for he was imprisoned, though he had not been brought to trial yet. Christ had been brought to trial much quicker and put to death. But here Paul sat, month after month, in prison.

Because Paul was a ponderer, a contemplater, he must have wondered if he would be martyred for his faith in Christ and for preaching the gospel message. I wonder greatly what his deep, private thoughts were when he came to his deep meditative moments of union with Christ. I wonder if the same Christ who once said, "Paul, Paul, why are you persecuting me?" would now say, "Paul, Paul, have faith. I'm with you. All will be well for you."

He wants to assure the Philippians that he is ready to die for Christ because he believes that death is not the end of the story. After death comes resurrection, and he's ready to be with Christ, or ready to continue his ministry -- whatever it is that God wants Paul to do, Paul is committed to doing.

Although Paul does not consider himself as perfect, (verse 12), he does think that he is a mature Christian (verse 15). Because of his mature faith, then, he is eager to go press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called him heavenward in Christ Jesus (verse 14).

Paul often refers to the Greeks' athletic prowess in his writings. There are races to be won and prizes to be had. After all, it was the Greeks who gave us the Olympics. But the prize, in Paul's view, was not the laurel wreath, but rather, the grace of heaven's gift. That was the prize worth having!

He says this in verses 20-21: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Matthew Henry brings these comforting words in his commentary: The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience, and to calm the raging passions of the soul. These blessings are given by him, as the father of his redeemed family. It is our Saviour who says, Let not your heart be troubled. All comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him.

...He is able to bind up the brokenhearted, to heal the most painful wounds, and also to give hope and joy under the heaviest sorrows. The favours God bestows on us, are not only to make us cheerful, but also that we may be useful to others.

He send comforts enough to support such as simply trust in and serve him. If we should be brought so low as to despair even of life, yet we may then trust God, who can bring back even from death.

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=55&source=2&seq=i.54.1.1

Discussion:

When I think of someone dying, I often have a view of God sitting on his throne in heaven, looking down at the folks who are grieving. And wondering why such tormented anguish when a dying person is finally able to get out of a cancer-saturated body, finally being free to run about with no pain or hindrance of any kind. And being reunited joyfully with Jesus Christ and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit.

When we mourn, we mourn because we have lost someone we love -- and the loss is ours because there's an empty spot that the person left behind.

I recently lost my sister, and a couple of years before that, my mother. Yet both of these women were overjoyed in their last days of living that they would soon be with Jesus Christ. After I had, in essence, said goodbye to their physical selves, I could almost get a sense of their spiritual selves taking charge when they talked to me.

I no longer anticipated their deaths with the fear of losing them, but rather, I sensed their excitement for their journey to heaven's other shore.

When Paul is writing this letter to the Philippians, he is within his last decade of life. Tradition has it that Paul died near 67 A.D. That would mean death would come to him within five years of the time that he writes this letter.

Do you get a sense that Paul is closing in on the subject of his death more and more -- that he is getting ready to close out this phase of his life where he worked so hard to further the gospel of Christ -- and on into heaven where he would spend his spiritual life worshiping and praising God?

Keep this in mind that Paul may be getting ready to cross a threshold of thought at he sits in prison, wondering if his time is getting nearer and nearer.

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you so much for bringing us these powerful messages from your servant Paul.

I pray that you would send me encouragement when I feel frustrated by the things that cause anxieties in this life.

I pray that you would bless me and all whom I love so that we can grow in the strength and knowledge that -- in the final analysis -- life here on earth is nothing compared to the joy that awaits us in heaven. But life here on earth is filled with trials we must all endure so that our faith will be tempered with the wisdom that your Holy Spirit gives us. Amen.

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MY LIFE IN INK --

Today's the day -- your congressionals at work. The House starts debate on the hugest, most magnanimous budget ever!

And in this election year when all the candidates make claims to reduce taxes, to raise taxes, to leave taxes in a flat line -- let me remind you that everything done to taxes must begin in the House Ways and Means Committee.

This new budget bankrolls billions of dollars in pork projects, reinstates the marriage penalty and reduces the child tax credit by $500 per child (is this through the SCHIP line item). 

And if you think gas prices are high now, there's a new 50 cents a gallon hike to fund a plan to eliminate global warming.

What's ridiculous is that global warming stopped in 1998. Global warming is a climate cycle change. John Coleman, the meteorologist who initiated and later sold his interests in The Weather Channel says that global warming is not caused by man. He is joined by an increasing number of scientists around the world.

Coleman calls it the greatest scam in history. http://media.kusi.clickability.com/documents/Global+Warming+is+a+Scam1.pdf It's Coleman's position that global warming is a function of sunspot activity, not man's cause.

And an extra nickel in federal gas taxes to fund repairs to bridges and roads.

Eliminates the home mortage deductions. In essence this amounts to a tax increase on all homeowners since the feds want to take away an already-in-place deduction.

http://johnboehner.house.gov/Issues/Issue/?IssueID=3943 -- John Boehner is House Minority Leader.

In total, this new budget increases the federal budget by $392.5 budget.

Now, keep in mind that this budget belongs to the 110th Congress which is a Democrat majority. So the blame can't be laid at the threshold of the White House. Maybe I ought to watch C-Span today. Make a big bowl of popcorn and just watch these yokels debate this budget request.

And somewhere in there is probably a big juicy raise for themselves.

Since most people, including me for sure, do not sit in front of their TVs watching C-Span, we rely on the news of what's going on in Washington, D.C. to be delivered to us through the news. Except that we don't get news news anymore -- it's mostly predigested and spit out as political rhetoric and it gets filtered through biases of the media owners. 

This is called "managed news" and it's something that all politicians deny deny deny. 

But what are you going to do? Telling the truth may get you sued. 

Take for instance Lisa Presley -- the King's daughter. She's pregnant and more than slightly overweight. The Daily Mail, a UK paper, said she was "fat." She says she was just getting ready to announce her pregnancy when the newspaper made all these comments about her weight. That hurt her feelings and now she wants an apology. And, oh yes, money for damages. For what, tissues?

Hey, Lisa, call Jenny. Being overweight is not caused by being pregnant.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080311/ap_en_mu/lisa_marie_presley

We made such good progress on the guest bedroom yesterday that I'm inspired to continue today. Just remember -- anytime you have a big project, break it down into half hour segments. Just work for a half hour on any big project -- then quit for the day. You'll be motivated to continue the next day. (Except for my desk, which I work on in 15 minute blocks.)

Quint has also announced that we are out of his favorite Soda Bread, so that will be an afternoon project. And more knitting.

Quint also wants to go looking at another car. He wants to change cars before we go interstate surfing again.

As far as the Gov. Spitzer sex/prostitution scandal is concerned and whether I was surprised, all I can say is that I'm never surprised when it comes to what politicians do.

Just remember the old rule of psychobabble -- be wary of what people accuse you of. It very often if them projecting what they dislike most in themselves. So what has Spitzer been running around yelling about for his entire career? Corruption and vice and "Elect me and I'll clean up this mess!"

That's all well and good, but first, get the plank out of your own eye. Or, as someone once said, "People who live in glass houses should change clothes in the basement."

So, if someone calls you a liar -- or if someone vehemently accuses you of just about anything, pay close attention. They may just be telling you what they dislike most in their inner core beliefs.

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HERE'S SOME HISTORICAL SNIPPETS I HAVE RECEIVED FROM KENTUCKY BUDDIES -- PAT, BILL, and CAROLINE

Everyone who knows me knows that I grew up in that beautiful part of western Kentucky known as the Jackson Purchase. It hugs the Ohio River as it heads west and blossoms in the spring when the Dogwood and Red Bud explode into full court bloom. Jonquils and tulips are everywhere -- all over town. Hydrangea and spirea bring feasts of visual pleasure every time I come back to my hometown in the spring.

The only journalism course I ever took was at Paducah Tilghman High School where I was feature page editor of The Bell.

So, here are some other things about Kentucky that you may not know:

Mammoth Cave -- 336+ miles of mapped passages -- making it the world's longest cave. It is 379' deep and contains at least 5 levels of passages. It's second only to Niagara Falls as the most popular tourist attraction.

First enamel bathtub was made in Louisville in 1883.

Bibb lettuce was cultivated by Jack Bibb in Frankfort in 1896.

The Chevolet Corvette is manufactured only in Bowling Green.

Kentucky was the first state on the western border to join the Union -- 1816.

Fort Knox holds more than $6 billion worth of gold -- the largest amount stored anywhere in the world.

And there's more for tomorrow and the next few days. Thank you Pat, Bill and Caroline for sharing so many things about Kentucky that I'm proud of!

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BIBLE STUDY: Philippians 2:1-30

Paul starts off a wonderful message in this chapter -- verses 1-2: If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Matthew Henry has a cross reference to these passages to Romans 15:30 -- I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf.

Matthew Henry offers this comment about these passages: ...If we have experienced the Spirit's love, let us not be wanting in this office of kindness for others. 

Those that would prevail in prayer, must strive in prayer. Those who beg the prayers of others, must not neglect to pray for themselves.

And though Christ knows our state and wants perfectly, he will know them from us. As God must be sought, for restraining the ill-will of our enemies, so also for preserving and increasing the good-will of our friends. 

All our joy depends upon the will of God . Let us be earnest in prayer with and for each other, that for Christ's sake and by the love of the Holy Spirit, great blessings may come upon the souls of Christians, and the labours of ministers.

Well, this answers the question I've heard a lot from spiritually disconnected people who say that if God knows everything, then he ought to know what they need -- so why bother with prayer? The truth is, God wants to hear from us. He wants to know what we want. He wants us to talk with him.

Prayers don't have to be stilted and formal. How many times I've started out with, "You know what I need" or "I can't do this by myself," or "If you really want me to do this, please give me strength -- because I'm so tired" or "Are you sure I can do this?"

I think God likes those sincere prayers that come up out of honest questions. And I've been amazed many, many times by God's answers to my prayers. He delivers lightning bolt solutions that seem to say, "But you didn't consider this, did you?"

Paul continues his message with an admonition that believers ought to refrain from selfish ambitions and vain conceits -- but rather, adopt a behavior of humility where others are concerned. Paul says to look after other people and not be so focused on ourselves.

In fact, Paul says Christians should be more Christ-like. Just think about what Christ did. Here he was, holy and perfect and without sin. And yet, down to earth he came when his father told him to. And even though Christ is God himself, he came down here as servant -- and he stayed in this servant role all the way til his death on the cross.

This person was none other than the Son of God. And what does God want us to do?

Paul says, in verses 9-11: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I have a cross reference to Matthew 28:18 -- And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me. ESV

I also have a cross reference to Daniel 7:14 -- And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Christ's kingdom is forever. His kingdom will not be destroyed.

So Paul admonishes the Philippians to continue to work in his absence. Paul uses the term in verse 12 to ...work out your salvation with fear and trembling...

Now some will say that this verse 12 means that we can get salvation through good works. Even despite Paul's vehemence to the contrary, there are those who would insist. However, this clause is a dependent clause that rests on the rest of this verse: ...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

That is to say that once we are saved, we no longer behave the way we did before salvation was gifted to us through God's grace. We act the way God wants us to act. We do kind things for others. We forgive others who have been pestering our sense of spiritual comfort. Their silly little antics don't bother us anymore because we become more tolerant of others when we take Christ into our hearts.

So, for sure, work hard in your salvation. Because it is hard work to be a Christian. It's a lot easier to just puff up and blow up and think we're better than some people. Some people find it easier to nurse a hangover on Sunday morning than go to church. But that refusal to over-indulge in the first place is about making a choice in favor of acting like God wants. Making the right choices -- that is, the choices that God wants, is often challenging.

But back to our story. Paul is commending the Philippians for being obedient -- whether he's there to watch them or not. And he wants them to know that he's proud of them -- so very proud of them.

These next couple of verses sound like they could be about us today: Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life -- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. (verse 14-16) NIV

Read Paul's message here and take it to heart, lest we all become part of a "crooked and depraved generation..."

Paul closes this chapter with the message that he hopes to send Timothy to minister to the Philippians as soon as things go along to where Paul can release Timothy for a bit. Paul says that he really doesn't have anybody like Timothy who as such an interest in the church at Philippi and for the welfare of the people as well.

And lest there be any doubt, Paul says that Timothy has treated him like a father and has served in the work of the gospel (verse 22). Paul even says that he's confidence in that Lord that he will be able to get back to Philippi also.

Then there's this matter of Epaphroditus. I believe that this is the only reference to this individual in Paul's writings. We aren't given any real details as to what has been going on that would make Paul tell the Philippians that Epaphroditus almost died in his work of Christ.

Apparently Epaphroditus has worked hard and long -- burning the candle at both ends, so to speak. To the point where he may have neglected his physical health and become ill in the process. It sounds like word got back to the Philippians that their good friend was very ill and they became enormously concerned about this. Paul, therefore, wanted Epaphroditus to go back to Philippi to show the folks that he had recuperated and was doing just fine.

Discussion:

Does this chapter help you forgive yourself for your humanness when you tend to complain or get into mental positions where you think others are acting kind of dumb?

In your discussion, whether you are alone or in a group, think of ways that you can build others up -- you know, find something kind to say to them.

What does being "Christ-like" mean to you? Do you think others would describe you as Christ-like and if they do, what qualities to you have that make them think that?

We pray: I pray, Oh Lord, that you would bring me closer to you and help me to behave in ways that are more to your liking. I know -- in my heart of hearts -- that I don't always do this and I need your help so that I can cast off the grumbling side of my nature.

I know I can't get away with just saying, "That's the way I am." Help me, instead, to say "That's not the way I ought to be because it's not Christ-like." Amen.

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MY LIFE IN INK --

And here we are starting a new week! I'm excited because it looks like the web site is going to go past 104,000 hits in about an hour. Not sure why that matters to me, but it does. Validation, maybe. We're all looking for affirmation in our little corners of the world.

So thank you. Each one of you. I am humbled by your presence. And right now, as we speak, readers from the Czech Republic, Russian Federation, Brazil, Spain and the UK are logged on and reading us.

I used to post a list of countries from which I had visitors. Then I got an e-mail from someone in a country in the far east that is not friendly to Christians and they asked me not to list their country -- for reasons of safety for them.

So it just goes to show you how much I take the freedoms we have in the United States for granted. And all those freedoms would be owing to our United States military. So thank you to all who serve in the armed forces of the United States. You're keeping us all strong and free. -- I am proud of each one of you and I lift you all up in prayer a couple of times a day.

I'm also excited because Spring is getting closer and closer. As far as our weather goes, here in the middle part of Illinois, this truly must be winter's last blast. I know I've said it before but this time it's different. The temperatures are actually going up to the high 40s and 50s starting this afternoon and will stay that way for the rest of the week. I just may take a peek at the roses that are under those ugly cones. If I see new foliage, I may just take the cones off. That would let the roses start to harden off. And during the night I could drape them in a big plastic drop cloth to protect them from frosts. We're not going to be frost free for at least a month or so, but the plastic sheets would be protection enough.

This week is going to be devoted to unpacking, rearranging, and taking stuff to the resale shop. We're finally going to get at a lot of the stuff we brought down here and just parked in the guest bedroom and hallway and office upstairs. I mainly want guests to feel welcome. We have a number of friends who know all about Lake Sara, which is not too far from here. In fact, it's practically on our way to church, so if friends decide to come down from Chicago for a weekend of fishing, I want to at least have a bed that they can get to.

I have a thought that a great deal of the stuff that's over across the hall in the guest bedroom is going bye bye. We got to a point when we were packing stuff up and sorting through that we just decided to move it down here and we'd sort it out later. Well, now later has arrived and it's starting to encroach on my peace of mind. That means it's time to do something about it.

I've been spending too much time knitting anyway. Need to move around more. And get this folks, I'm embroidering an apron. That means, Quint says, that I've made the complete transition. He didn't say to what. And I didn't ask. But the apron is white and is the color of flour. It's one of those embroidery kits that has canning jars full of pickles and jams and says "Eat, Drink and Laugh." So now I can make bread and get the flour on the apron, not on everything else I touch. Guess I'm not the neatest cook. I need to work on that.

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WARNING TO OUR FRIENDS WHO LIVE IN PHOENIX, AZ

And especially if you like to go out into wilderness areas for big hiking adventures.

A rabid mountain lion attacked a 10 year old youngster while the family was out on their ATVs in the Tonto National Forest.

Okay, so this mountain lion was shot by one of the adults in the fun party. But my question is how this mountain lion got to be rabid in the first place. Did it eat something that was rabid or was it bit?

I'd like to know how extensive the rabies problem is with other wildlife.

In the meantime, beware. Everybody! Stay safe.

Here's some information from the Arizona Game & Fish Department: http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/game_lion.shtml

Oh, wait a minute. Isn't Phoenix in Maricopa County. And isn't that where Sheriff Joe has all those bad guys spend their jail time in tents out in the desert? (wearing pink undies, at that)

After reading about these really big bad cats -- the four-legged ones, not the rapists and armed robbers who are convicted felons -- I wouldn't want to be out there in the desert for any reason whatsoever!

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BIBLE STUDY: Philippians 1:1-30

Paul's Letter to the Church at Philippi is a rather small letter -- only four chapters. But it is powerful in its joyful message of faith in Jesus Christ. This letter does not have any quotes from Paul of Old Testament scripture. This could mean that he did not have access to such scripture because he is now imprisoned in Rome.

Just as a review of how Paul ended up in Rome, by way of Jerusalem, we go back to Luke's Acts of the Apostles, Acts 20:22-24: And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

So Paul goes to Jerusalem. Remember that he has a great amount of funds that the churches had collected for the poor people who were suffering from famines that were ravaging the countryside at this time. They had been collecting these funds as an extra offering every week for a year. Just carrying the money from Corinth to Jerusalem was dangerous!

While Paul was in Jerusalem, he was seen in the company of an Ephesian named Trophimus. The Jews deduced that Paul probably had brought Trophimus into their temple and thus defiled it since Trophimus was a Greek, therefore a Gentile and Gentiles were not supposed to cross the threshold into the synagogue. They brought Paul up on charges. This led to an uproar and Paul found himself before the local governor. Things got worse. The Roman chieftain was going to have Paul flogged. And the members of the Sanhedrin kept the crowd excited to the point where they wanted Paul killed.

Then Paul asked the Roman in charge, "Oh, by the way, you do know I'm a citizen of Rome, don't you?"

This flabbergasted the Roman in charge of his flogging. It was one thing to bind a rabblerouser in chains and get him ready for flogging. But a Roman citizen? Absolutely not! In fact, the Roman in charge could get in a heap of trouble for just treating Paul that way.

Well, there were hearings -- back and forth between magistrates and potentates. Finally, Paul appealed to have his case heard before Caesar. That was his certain right as a Roman citizen.

It's now 62 AD. Paul's in Rome. He's coming to the end of his first imprisonment. Timothy is with Paul at this time and apparently Paul has the liberty to dictate letters which Timothy transcribes. Paul wants to write to the churches he started on his missionary journeys. In Acts 28:30, we read: For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. This would seem that Paul is under house arrest, waiting for his trial to begin "one of these days," and not actually imprisoned. 

So Paul writes this collection of letters we refer to as the Prison Epistles -- there are four: Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon. 

We turn back to Acts 16:11-15, to learn more about how this church in Philippi got started: From Troaa we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.

One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who ws a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.

Timothy is with Paul when he writes this letter. We see that in the salutation at the very beginning of this letter when Paul sends greetings from himself and Timothy.

Paul begins his message very warmly, verses 3-6: I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel form the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Paul tells the Philippians that even if he is in chains, he has them in his heart and he wants them to know that they continue to share in his ministry of the gospel. Paul also wants the people at Philippi that he longs for them and holds them in great affection.

Then he offers a prayer in verses 9-11: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ -- to the glory and praise of God.

Paul then brings them a comforting word about his being in chains. In fact, his detainment has allowed him to bring the gospel message to many Roman guards who most willingly accepted Paul's message of salvation. For that reason, Paul says that what has happened to him has turned out to be a good thing because it has allowed him to preach to the whole palace guard. And also, because of his arrest and detainment, other church leaders are inspired to preach even more courageously and fearlessly (verse 14).

For those people who preach Christ out of goodwill, they know that Paul is in Rome because of his defense of the gospel.

And even those people who are preaching the gospel message for less than a loving motivation, Paul says in verse 18: But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Paul even goes so far as to say that Christ will always be exalted whether Paul lives or dies. He explains in verses 21-22: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me.

On the one hand, Paul yearns to be with Christ, but he also knows that if he remains in the body -- that is, as long as he continues to live -- he will be able to continue to minister to all his churches, and particularly, to the Philippians.

He tells them that no matter what happens to him, he wants the Philippians to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (verse 27). If they do that, then Paul will know they are standing firm in their faith. If Paul is able to go to them, that would be great. But if that can't happen and Paul only hears about the Philippians, that's okay too because he will know that they are standing up to those who oppose them and are not scared of those who would try to frighten the Philippians.

Then Paul reminds the Philippians of this in verses 29-30: For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Paul was referring to the time that he and Silas went to Philippi and were imprisoned.

Discussion:

Philippi was named for Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. It's a short distance inland by about ten miles from the port city of Neapolis.

Philippians is filled with messages of joy and thanksgiving. Can you think what would cause Paul to be thankful (1:5)?

Why do you think Paul believed that his imprisonment was helping his ministry?

We pray:  Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you guard and protect your servants around the world who work diligently to bring the saving message of your salvation to so many people. They work in harms way, as you know, and yet they do so with such joy in their hearts, even while they are mindful of the dangers to their lives. I pray that you would keep them safe from harm.

I pray that you would help the delivery of food supplies to those people who suffer from the ravages of famine and who go to bed hungry every night. I pray that you especially keep the children in your loving care and bring an end to their suffering and hunger. Amen.

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MY LIFE IN INK --

I think it may warm up a bit today. Quint says it was 28 degrees when he got up. That was at the crack of dawn. I prefer a more civilized time -- like, say 7:30 am or thereabouts. It was 30 degrees when I got up. I hope that trend continues til about noon!

My daffodils aren't anywhere near blooming yet, so they need lots of sunshine and lots of cuddly warmth. I have an entire bed of daffodils by the back door. They're supposed to be pink. They didn't look very pink last spring, but it was their first year so I'm hoping it was just because they were newly planted. One of the daffodils grew right through a big oak leaf that had blown onto the bed during the winter. It looked like a collar. Should have taken a picture of it. Oh well, another photo op memory lost forever.

Our pinochle evening turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to visit with some folks we only just slightly know from church. So we played six-handed pinochle. The cards fall quite a bit differently with an extra couple playing. There were a couple of hands when I didn't have a card higher than a king. But I did have one hand where I actually have four aces, but no meld. The bid had gotten up to 21 and I chickened out. There's only 25 points if I would have caught every trick. Since I had no idea what, if anything, my partners could be melding, I let the bid go. Was just as well because the three of us together could only meld one card -- a nine.

But it's all in fun. There's a lot of good hearted visiting that goes on during a card game. And that's the point. Good marriages need good friends. Couple friends.

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BIBLE STUDY: Romans 16:1-27

Paul has gathered to Cenchrea (sen-kree-e), a port about ten miles from Corinth. In this first verse it appears likely that Paul is entrusting the brilliant theological treatise of his Letter to the Romans to a Christian woman named Phoebe. He calls her a sister and a service of the church.

I want to share a cross reference to Galatians 4:3-5: So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

So when Paul calls Phoebe a "sister," he is referring to her as a member of his spiritual family in which their relationship is based on the redemption of Christ and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. (All the Women of the Bible, by Herbert Lockyer, p. 121.)

Lockyer expands his thought to this: "How and when Phoebe became a Christian and a sister in the Lord, we are not told. What is evident is the manifestation of her sisterly love and labors among her sisters and brothers in Christ.

In Paul's reference to Phoebe as a "servant" of the church, he uses the Greek word diakonos, from which we have "deacon" or "deaconness." (Lockyer, p. 121)

From that description of Phoebe, we can deduce that she could have been one of the first, if not the first, deaconness in the Christian church. I think this description by Paul is important because much has been made of Paul's view of the role that women should play in the church, namely, that they should be silent.

Now, I can't pick words apart and give you the technical Greek translations of the Bible, but what I am curious about is that perhaps there has been much ado about Paul's wanting women to be silent in church. Clearly, there were important roles for women in the churches. And in Phoebe's instance, Paul was entrusting her with this most valuable letter that he had written to the Romans.

And in verse 2 he is asking the Romans to receive Phoebe in the Lord and "in a way worth of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me."

In the third verse, Paul also asks the Romans to give a good greeting to Priscilla and Aquila, his fellow workers in Christ Jesus. Paul tells the Romans that they had risked their lives for him. But not just Paul, but also all the churches of the Gentiles who are grateful to these two. (verses 3-4)

I have a cross-reference to Acts 18:2 -- And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. ESV

Lockyer brings us a note on P. 125 of this couple whom Paul loved so much -- "While the last mention of Aquila and Priscilla is to be found in Paul's Second Epistle to Timothy where they were back at Ephesus about the year A.D. 66 (2 Timothy 4:19), there is a tradition to the effect that they ultimately laid down their lives for Christ's sake. The 8th of July is the day set apart for them in the martyrology of the Roman Church when it is said the faithful couple were led out beyond the walls and beheaded. If this is so it is not difficult to fill in the details of the pathetic picture. Aquila and Priscilla had loved each other through the years, and together had served the Lord so loyally. Now with eyes so full of unfading love, as if to say to each other, 'Farewell, fear not!' they were ready for the flash of the blade that sent them home to God, and to eternal fellowship with Paul, Apollos, and others they had so signally helped.

Lockyer continues, "Paul gives us a still fuller insight into the passionate desire of Aquila and Priscilla to bind the saints together in fellowship. To the Corinthians he wrote, 'Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church in their house.' In Romans, the Apostle sent his greetings to them and to 'the church that is in their house.'

"In those apostolic days, poverty and persecution made separate buildings for worship almost impracticable, and so private, sanctified homes became the house of God. Aquila and Priscilla consecrated their home to God, as a gathering place for the saints."

Paul continues through verse 15 with a list of Christians whom he wishes the churches in Rome to greet. And in verse 16, Paul says this: Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

Matthew Henry offers this -- "Here are several good exhortations. God is the Author of peace and Lover of concord; he hath loved us and is willing to be at peace with us. And let it be our constant aim so to walk, that separation from our friends may be only for a time, and that we may meet in that happy world where parting will be unknown. He wishes that they may partake all the benefits which Christ of his free grace and favour has purchased; the Father out of his free love has purposed; and the Holy Ghost applies and bestows."

(Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is in the public domain.)

Paul begins a strong exhortation in verses 17-18: I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

These are powerful words from Paul and they bring a most sincere warning to stay away from false teachers. These false teachers bring a doctrine that is not centered around Christ but they sound so sure of themselves. Of these false teachers, Paul tells the Romans in verse 19b: I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

In verse 20, we read: The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

My Concordia Study Bible has a note to this verse: "Satan, the father of lies, is behind all false teachings. This is a reference to Satan's final doom." (p. 1742)

Paul closes this Letter to the Romans with this most powerful message in verses 25-27: Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him -- to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

When Paul refers to "my gospel" he is talking about what has been directly revealed to him.

There is a cross reference to Galatians 1:11-12: I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

This mystery that was made known to Paul by revelation is explained more fully in Ephesians 3:2-6: Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

This concludes our study of Paul's Letter to the Romans. I pray that it has enriched your faith greatly.

On Monday we begin another letter that Paul wrote. I believe that, in chronology, it would have been his letter to the Galatians, but we have studied that letter earlier, so I will have to check the records that I am using to see which would be the one following Galatians.

Discussion:

If we cannot be great, by God's grace we may be the means of making others great, says Lockyer.

As you think back to Paul's being surrounded by so many wonderful people who took him into their homes and cared for him, can you think of a time when you have been blessed with an opportunity to share your generosity with someone not as blessed as you are.

Depending on where many of you live in the world, this may be a fairly common occurrence, but here in the United States, we have become more guarded under most circumstances.

The exception to this happens when choirs come out from church universities, or faith-based groups gift us with evenings of ministry. Without the generosity of people sharing their homes and tables, these people could not afford to travel about from church to church the way they do. Truly, if you ever have an opportunity to welcome one or more of these travelers into your home, I hope that you do it. You will be blessed for your giving.

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the opportunity to study Paul's Letter to the Romans. It brings such a richness to the tapestry of your gospel message. The power of your love and grace flow through the words of Paul and reach the depths of me. I thank you for this message.

I pray for all the missionaries around the world who work to bring your message to nonbelievers, or unchurched people. I pray for their safety and health.

I pray for all believers everywhere who put themselves in harm's way to assemble together and learn more about your great gospel message. I pray that you would bless their studies as they grow in faith and minister to others around them.

I pray for Teri and Rick and their friends who have travelled to New Orleans to refurbish homes for those who have yet to be able to reclaim their homes lost to Hurricane Katrina. Bless their work that they do in your name. I pray that their ministry will be one of presence and caring as they work in your name. Amen.

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MY LIFE IN INK --

Today I am moving to the Eagles Nest -- that's the name of the office on the second floor. It has my beautiful desk that Quint made me when we first opened the practice in Tinley Park. And my poor cousin, Butch, happened to be in town that weekend so he got the pleasure of helping Quint put the top of the desk in place. There were 21 little knob like things that went into holes that Quint had filled with carpenters glue.

The desk and matching lateral file survived the move very nicely. After Quint put the desk together, I promised him I'd never order another kit that had the ill-fated words "some assembly required" on the instructions. What a bear it was to put together! It is a testament to Quint's patience.

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IF YOU HAVE CURIOSITIES ABOUT WHAT THE CANDIDATES ARE SAYING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL ABOUT THE HIGH PRICE OF GASOLINE --

CLUE: IT HAS TO DO WITH THE RISING PRICE OF CRUDE. NOW, WHO KNOWS THE REAL REASON WHY THE PRICE OF CRUDE IS GOING UP? --

NO, IT'S NOT BUSH'S FAULT!

I know there are a great number of readers who don't care much about the garbage that's on the news -- mainly because it's not news. It's political rhetoric that doesn't have much basis in fact.

But there are some things that you should all know so I'm going to share them with you today. That way you won't have to wade through what I'm not even going to say to describe what I think of the political promises that are presently in orbit around the moon.

Remember those romantic promises of "Elect me and I'll give you the sun, moon and stars?"

So here's what -- in my opinion -- you might want to think about.

I'll be the first person to admit that I'm not an expert on foreign relations.

But I'm getting a little tired of our president getting blamed for everything that goes wrong in the world. Remember a few years ago when there was a huge eruption in oil prices that made the price per gallon go through the roof? 

Well, the knee jerk reaction was that it must be George Bush's fault. After all, that was why he wanted to go into Iraq in the first place. Right? 

Couldn't have had anything to do with the giant population countries of India and China needing more oil for their newly acquired thirst for fuel? 

Well, I looked it up. And here are some real data and places where you can read more, then you'll have facts on hand.

China, with its 1+ billion population has been increasing its needs on Middle East oil. Its oil consumption hunger is increasing by 7.5% a year -- that's 7 times the growth as the US. China is able to find much of its own oil, but it still imports 32% of its oil needs -- and more than half of that import figure (58%) comes from the Middle East.

It all started in the 1990s when the Chinese folks moved from bicycles and mass transit to private cars. As China moves toward industrialization (progress?), private cars become more affordable. In 2010 China will have 90x more cars driving hither and thither than in 1990!

http://www.iags.org/china.htm

India also has a billion plus population. In 2002, India became the 5th largest energy consumer in the world. (They had to bump Germany out of the way.) Whereas India's energy needs were 1.168 million barrels per day in 1990, it now has sailed past the 2.4 million barrels a day to keep its industrialization needs going.

http://www.teriin.org/events/iogc/about.htm

Currently only 7 in 1,000 people in India drive cars. (In neighboring Pakistan, that stat is 12.) Just wait until these two countries catch up.

India is the 11th largest energy producer in the world. It's sitting on a huge oil field that is just starting to be developed.

http://www.cslforum.org/india.htm

http://www.teriin.org/events/iogc/about.htm

In 2002, Iraq was producing 1.5 million barrels of oil a day. (Iraq was producing 3.5 million barrels a day when it invaded Kuwait in 1990.)

Read more: http://www.cfr.org/publication/7707/#2 (CFR=Council on Foreign Relations)

So how does the Iraq stockpile of reserves look? It has 112.5 billion barrels in its reserves. That compares to 300 billion that the Saudis have stored up.

(According to Brookings Institute, the Iraq number is correctly at 78 billion barrels. http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2003/0512globalenvironment_luft.aspx)

In 1995 the United Nations imposed sanctions on Iraq which curtailed its sale of oil on the international market. This was when Clinton was president. These sanctions were eased somewhat in 1996 because -- guess what --here's a country that sitting on all these oil reserves and they can't even buy food and medicine for their citizens. The sanctions were terminated in 2003 when Bush was president and humanitarian functions in Iraq were turned over to Iraq's provisional government.

The only way that Iraq was supposed to sell its oil was through a program known as the oil-for-food program and it was overseen by the United Nations. It was through this oil-for-food program that the United States became a consumer of Iraqi oil.

Well, you don't get that many billions of dollars swirling around such a finger smacking program without attracting corruption. But that's another story and has not what this inquiry is about. Suffice it to say that there's a lot of finger pointing going on. Still. Even though the United Nations led oil-for-food program was dismantled in 2003.
 
Iraq is now working its way through the cumbersome process of getting in as a supplier nation in OPEC.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/jan-june02/mideast_5-14.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil-for-Food_Programme

And in our own corner of the world, we have our own program going on out in the Gulf of Mexico. To our delight, we found a huge oil field out in the Gulf of Mexico. It's a 300 square mile area that promises to deliver between 3 billion and 15 billion of barrels of oil.

That's right in our own back yard! Of course, those big rigs sitting out there on the pond are vulnerable to hurricanes and fires and things. But there are more days when they're pumping than when they're not. So it's still a good deal.

Then there's all that oil up in Alberta, Canada. 174 gigabarrels to be exact, if those kinds of estimates could ever be exact. Problem is, it's expensive to get at. It wasn't even profitable to hunt for it and dig it up until oil started selling at $40 a barrel. Now that oil has come up to $100 a barrel, you can bet there's going to be a hurry to start pumping and building new pipes, and saying "Hey, you got bucks?" to us friendly neighbors down here in the US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_reserves

Which brings me to what I perceive as the real problem.

It isn't about where we buy our oil from. It's more about where we store it and refine it.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/05/business/main1969353.shtml

The United States started its oil reserve program in 1975 after the oil embargo in 1973-74. Remember those lines when you stayed in line to buy a $2 limit of gasoline? Well, at last count, the US has 698.6 million barrels of oil in its stockpile. And since we use 20 million barrels of oil EVERY DAY, that won't last a really long time.

We import 12 million barrels a day so that supply in our stockpile would last about 57 days.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategic_Petroleum_Reserve

That won't even get us through spring break when the college students up north head for southern climes. Where do the southern students go? To Chicago? New York? And since we have a love affair going with our cars, come summer, we're going on vacation and we'll be driving to somewhere!

Just keep in mind that Bush is going to get blamed for everything. As President Truman said, "The buck stops here." And all these presidential wannabees better pay attention because one of the three of them will get to be president.

Then everybody will be blaming them for all the problems of the world, regardless of what the facts are. And if you think Bush asked Congress for a declaration of war to invade Iraq -- which he got approval for -- because of oil, think again.

Oh, for sure, you can think that if you like. But it's just your suspicion. Facts won't back you up. Wouldn't you rather have an opinion based on real information that's factual? That's the difference between political rhetoric and rational thinking.

My point is, if you consider the data, all these debates started parboiling in the early 1990s. So even though it's tempting to blame increasing oil prices on Bush, he wasn't president in the 1990s. Bush can't be held responsible for the industrialization of China, India, or Pakistan either. Or even for building the indoor ski resort in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai).

He says he's longing for the day when he can get back to his ranch in Texas. Probably won't keep the place cleared of rattlesnakes though. If you do that, then the rat population increases. And when that happens, you get an outbreak of the plague because the fleas that infect you with plague are carried on the rats. Rats are lunch and afternoon snacks for rattlesnakes.

So you see, only I could tie an article about global oil consumption to rattlesnakes.

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BIBLE STUDY: Romans 15:1-33

In the very first verse, Paul says that we, who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

This verse has a cross reference to Galatians 6:1 -- Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

"We, who are strong ..." -- Paul is referring to mature Christians, to those who have made the commitment to live their lives as Christians.  

But if there is to be a ministerial confrontation, Paul again says that it ought to be done in a loving manner. I think we can understand that. I mean if someone is starting to slip away from the truth of the gospel, it might not be the best idea to hit them over the head with a theological hammer.

It's about building people up -- it's about edification. And so, in verse 4, Paul says: For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Paul is applying Psalm 71:20 to his lesson to the Romans on this day: You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.

Paul then goes on to that this encouragement and endurance that is gifted from God gives a spirit of unity among them as they follow Christ Jesus (verse 5).

In verses 7-9b, Paul admonishes the Christians: Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy...

There is a thought from Paul that relates to Christ coming to focus on the Jewish people in his ministry. A note for these verses in my Concordia Study Bible puts it this way: He was sent to the Jewish people and largely limited his ministry to them. God gave a special priority, so far as the gospel is concerned, to the Jews --" ...promises made to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob)." -- From the beginning, God's redemptive work in and for Israel had in view the redemption of the Gentiles. (page 1740).

And a cross reference to Matthew 15:24 makes this clear: He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Paul quotes from 2 Samuel 22:50: For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.

And from Deuteronomy 32:43: Rejoice with him, O heavens. There's more to this verse that Paul does not quote. Whether he was working from memory or from a library copy of these passages, we don't know. But since the Pentateuch -- the first five books of the Bible -- were used in worship at synagogues, there may well have been a copy available for Paul to use as he writes his letters from Corinth.

I'm going to quote the rest of this passage from Deuteronomy because it gives a completeness to what Paul started with his quote: ...bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people's land.

And from Psalm 117:1, Paul quotes: Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples.

Paul adapts Isaiah 11:10 to message to the Romans: In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples -- of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

(These quotes are from the English Standard Version.)

It's interesting to see how Paul takes these various Old Testament verses and weaves them into a seamless thought as he writes his Letter to the Romans, verses 9b-12:

Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.

Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."

And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples."

And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."

Now Paul reassures the Romans that their hope comes from God above, in verse 13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul then tells the Romans that he thinks they are competent to instruct each other. Then, in verses 15-16, he says: I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
 
We get an idea of the scope of Paul's ministry when he writes to the Romans that he pretty much doesn't want to talk about anything else except the glory of God and God's accomplishments through him, namely, leading the Gentiles to obey God (verses 17-18).

Then in verse 19b, he says that ...from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum (Albania and Yugoslavia) I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not know, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation.

There is a cross reference to Isaiah 52:15 for this verse: ...so shall I sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.

Paul then tells the Romans that he basically is finished with his ministry in this region, and since he has been longing to visit the Romans for many years, he plans to do just that when he goes to Spain.

Lest there be any doubt as to whether or not Paul intended to take his ministry to Spain, verse 24 affirms his intent to do just that. Paul says he plans to go on to Spain after he has enjoyed the company of the Romans for a good little while.

But first, Paul says, he needs to take the contributions and gifts from the Macedonians to Jerusalem so that these gifts can be distributed to the poor.

Then in verse 28, Paul says: So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

Paul then asks the Romans to keep him in their prayers. Paul asks for prayers so that he will be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea. And he asks for prayers so that his service in Jerusalem will be acceptable. And he closes this chapter with God's blessings to the Romans.

Discussion:

What strikes you the most about this chapter?

Is it in the quote from Isaiah? Does this quote give you assurance that Paul was, indeed, hand selected by Jesus Christ, on the road to Damascus to do the wonderful things that he did in his ministries?

For sure, we see the selection process of the prophets in the Old Testament. There was no doubt that God picked special people that he wanted to send out in the world.

Look at how God used King David. Despite the fact that David committed adultery and even send his lover's husband out to the front lines in a battle where he'd be sure to get killed. And he was. Then David married his heart's desire. And they had a baby. And the baby died. Then David realized that what he had done was a grievous sin and he begged for forgiveness. And all he had to do was ask.

As for Paul, here was a man -- a pharisee -- who went around the countryside looking for Christians that he could kill. He carried execution warrants on his person so that he could kill Christians on site.

The point is, God selects the people whom he wants to use to spread his story of salvation. God doesn't always pick people who are pure in heart and transgression-free.

God wants each one of us to tell others about the great gospel message of salvation. And he equips each of us to do this by granting us spiritual gifts.

Do you use your gifts to bring others to Christ?

For sure, we can't all be great evangelists like Paul was. But we can do many things that let others know we are Christian and put the message of faith in front of them.

One very easy way to do this is to send birthday cards, anniversary cards, get well cards, etc., that have Bible truths included in them. It's not a big thing but it's a way of thinking that takes us down a different path if we aren't doing this already.

What else can you do?
 
We pray: Dear Heavenly Father -- I pray that you would show me how you want to use me in building your kingdom.

I know this may sound silly to you, but I'd like to be your servant but I don't have a clue as to what you would have me do. What can I possibly do to dedicate my life to your glory?

I pray that you would show me your way. Amen.

##

MY LIFE IN INK --

Interesting what's happening in the Democratic primary race. Had it not been for Obama taking Vermont, Hillary would have had a clean sweep in the four state Super Tuesday II of Texas-Ohio-Vermont-New Hampshire.

So what does this mean? That for the first time in her adult life, Michelle Obama is disappointed? I will admit that it was most curious that she made the statement "For the first time in my adult life, I'm really proud of my country..."

Huh? Can't think of anything that has made her proud? When exactly did her adult life begin? Well, for starters, she was born in 1964. That would make her an adult in the decade of the 80s.

How about being proud of the opportunities she has enjoyed as an American? Like, for instance, being able to get into Princeton University -- where she graduated cum laude. How about graduating from Harvard Law School?

How about passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 -- landmark legislation that allowed her to reach the heights of her educational goals which, in turn, brought her the really big bucks working at the blue chip law firm, Sidley & Austin, in Chicago. And then on to bigger bucks at the University of Chicago Hospitals where she commanded a mountain of moolah of $273,618 a year!

Then she married Mr. Obama in 1992 and his senate salary added to hers, plus all their other "miscellaneous" income from book royalties and her board positions brought them to $991,296! That doesn't make her proud of all the hopeful opportunities she's enjoyed?

For starters, how about the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It almost seems as if it was passed in your birthday year for your own hopeful enjoyment, Michelle Obama!

I mean, I'm not even an African-American and I'm very proud of the courage that Rosa Parks exhibited on a bus in the south many years ago.

I'm proud of American technology every time our space shuttle goes up to the International Space Station to take food and supplies, then turns around to  bring the trash back to earth.

I'm proud of each and every American soldier, whether they're Marine, Navy, Coast Guard, Army or Air Force. They keep our great country safe and I'm proud of them!

Yeah, you're audacious all right. Even arrogant. It's almost like you took your comment right off the front of your husband's book. But you ought to be careful because "recklessly bold in defiance of convention," or "unrestrained," will not get you a measuring tape for the White House drapes.

You guys have eight months to go before the election. That's plenty of time for every voter in America to discover that you and your husband make nearly a million smackaroos a year. And you're not even proud of the opportunity that living in this great nation brought to you so that you could do that?

It's just a thought, but I'm wondering if American voters would rather pull the lever for a presidential candidate whose spouse is proud of this great nation?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Obama

##


BIBLE STUDY: Romans 14:1-23

Paul continues his theme in these closing chapters of the Letter to the Romans about how people ought to live their lives in such a way that would be pleasing to God.

In today's chapter, Paul is talking about what people should eat and how they should be treating each other. It isn't that Paul cares all that much about the preferences of cuisine. Hardly so.

In verse 1, Paul says: Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.

And what might these disputable matters be? My Concordia Study Bible says that this is most likely a reference to the fact that the early Christians had difficulty giving up their traditional diet restrictions that were outlined in Leviticus, as well as other mandates of Levitical law.

And Matthew Henry says, most eloquently: He is the most advanced Christian, who is the most conformed to Christ. ... He bore the guilt of sin, and the curse of it; we are only called to bear a little of the trouble of it. He bore the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear the failings of the weak.

And should not we be humble, self-denying, and ready to consider one another, who are members one of another? The Scriptures are written for our use and benefit, as much as for those to whom they were first written....

The comfort which springs from the word of God, is the surest and sweetest, and the greatest stay to hope....

Our Divine Master invites his disciples, and encourages them by showing himself as meek and lowly in spirit. The same disposition ought to mark the conduct of his servants, especially of the strong towards the meet.

The great end in all our actions must be, that God may be glorified; nothing more forwards this, than the mutual love and kindness of those who profess religion.
 
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=53&source=2&seq=i.52.15.1

Paul uses the example of how one man may be a vegetarian, while another may eat everything present at the table. Just because each man chooses differently does not give one the right to condemn the other.

In verse 4, Paul says: Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

I'd like to refer you back to Matthew 10:28 -- And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

So it doesn't really matter what the person to your right is eating. Or to your left. It doesn't matter if you're eating anything at all. Rather than paying all that attention to what's on someone's plate, Paul says to pay attention to whether or not your actions are pleasing to the Lord, not what you're eating.

This reference to Levitical law repeats itself in verse 6 -- He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

This is clearly the same admonishment that Paul gave to the churches at Corinth -- 1 Corinthians 10:31 -- So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

As to the special days, a footnote in my Concordia Study Bible says that some believe that this is a reference to keeping the Sabbath, although there are others that believe this refers to all special ceremonial days that are outlined in the Old Testament (p. 1738).

Paul wants the Romans to consider that all days are to be dedicated to God through holy living and service to others (p. 1738) -- because -- continuing in verse 8: If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Judging each other -- condemning each other -- total waste of time that leads to displeasure in God's eyes. In verse 13, Paul writes: Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

There's that stumbling block again. This is a strong message that we are not to lead our brothers to transgress against the Lord.

Paul then says he's absolutely convinced that there are no foods that are unclean. After all, God made everything. And what could God make that would be foul?

Keep in mind that God made all men too. And because we are all children of God, we shouldn't judge others. We may think that we know what someone is thinking deep down in their heart, but we don't.

God knows what's in the heart of man. Acts 1:24 -- Then they prayed, "Lord you know everyone's heart... 

Paul makes a very strong distinction, however, in verses 20-21: Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

And just as important, in verse 22: So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 

But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Put more plainly, if whatever you do is offensive to someone, then you ought not to do it. This isn't about "if it feels good, do it." Paul is making a strong warning that by doing what you want to do just might cause someone else to sin. 

That would most certainly not please God. There are still religions that don't allow certain foods -- like pork -- to be eaten. And I have attorney friends who are Jewish. Years ago when I worked in a law firm, I became acutely aware of their response to the bacon/lettuce/tomato sandwich that someone had ordered at lunch. It isn't that the BLT was offensive to them. Quite the contrary. The attorney I'm thinking of was mightily tempted to order one for himself. 

So you see, just ordering a BLT in the presence of someone whose faith tradition requires abstinence from certain foods would place a stumbling block in front of my friend, so I ordered some other sandwich. 

Discussion:

How often I have heard people say they wish that God would just give them a clue as to what he wants them to do.

"What's God's plan for me?" they ask.

But God does not have an agenda for our lives. Not for mine. Not for yours. He has a purpose and that purpose is to bring you to salvation.

But a plan? I don't think so. If God had locked you into a plan, how would he ever know you freely choose to follow him? How would you ever exercise free will if you didn't have it?

How would you ever be able to make a choice of sleeping in late on Sunday morning or going to church if God zapped you out of bed and shouted at you to hurry up because church would be starting! No -- what God does is gives you instructions -- the Ten Commandments -- and then sits back and watches to see if you choose to obey them.

What are some things that you do that you think are pleasing to God in how you live your life.

What choices do you make that may not be all that convenient for you, but you make them anyway because you want to please God?

We pray: Oh Lord, I thank you for the gift of your Word. I pray that your Holy Spirit will speak to me as I read your Word. I pray that you would give me the strength to do what is pleasing to you as I dedicate my life to you at the beginning of each new day. Amen.

##

MY LIFE IN INK --

We were awakened before daylight by something mean-sounding hitting the north window in our bedroom. It sounded like that little movie start garden gnome throwing handfuls of popcorn at us.

Well, it wasn't a whole lot different except that it was Mother Nature in another one of her late winter snits. And it was sleet, not popcorn. And no popcorn means there won't be any movie marathons today.

That's what I used to do after finals week. That's when my brain had turned to moosh and I thought I'd never have another rational thought in my entire life. That was the time when Quint and I would get a whole bunch of videos and just sit there, motionless and thoughtless, and let all that fatigue and stress just ooze out of the pours. Into the air. Into the soft cushions. Anywhere. Just relax.

Today is Super Tuesday #2 -- and Mother Nature is just not cooperating for a hoped-for grand turnout in Ohio, Texas, Vermont and New Hampshire. Only the die-hard voters who really really care will go out in weather like this.

And yesterday, Obama had his reporter-searing at a press conference. Can't really call it a baptism of fire but the reporters were sure going for the burn. They kept pushing him on this NAFTA deal that he's been so critical about. 

NAFTA has become Obama's "Elect me and I'll bring the outsourced jobs back home." And he made some other disparaging remarks about NAFTA -- mainly because Hillary supported it -- that is, if you count her husband's years in the White House as being experiential for her, vicariously.

Well, our neighbors to the north came after Obama. They wrote him a letter supporting the NAFTA position; that NAFTA is a good thing. Obama said he never got such a letter. Then someone produced a copy. Okay, maybe he got a little letter.

And then he said what ALL politicians say when they've been challenged by the reality of truth in a compromising position. He said, "When I gave you that information, that was the information I had at the time." That' s what the Daily News  reported at: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/03/04/2008-03-04_angry_barack_obama_bombarded_by_media.html

The other standard political answer is: "I don't remember." You can never be charged with perjury is you don't remember, then later are able to recall. Like when someone produces a letter you wrote that you didn't remember writing. Or a conversation, etc. Amnesia is a great political ploy.

What we need is to elect governors, not politicians. Governors get things done. Politicians don't. They hire people who supervise people who call in people to get things done.

But back to Obama's news conference. Then came the tough questions about Tony Rezko and his relationship with Obama. He did not like those questions at all! Rezko's corruption trial started in Chicago. Rezko did some fundraising or donating to Obama.

The press conference ended abruptly at that point. Now Obama is starting to act like a politician.

Rezko has become to Obama what Peter Paul is to Clinton. And neither of those election corruption trials are going to go away. And both of these candidates are going to get their hands dirty. Hmmmm. Maybe that's why they're campaigning their little hearts out. Just maybe they absolutely have to get elected -- that way they can pardon their corrupt little buddies.

After all, Quint says, you can't count on a President McCain to pardon either Paul or Rezko.

With almost two dozen "each delegate counts" primaries to go, it's now going to get interesting. Now we're going to see two senators from the Democrat side of the aisle going at it like two bullies on the playground. The only thing that could make it more interesting is if Harry Reid announced he was going to run.

For president, not out of town. But you know what, on second thought, we may not have a movie marathon but this is primary day. It's almost as entertaining. Especially that Texas vote. After the primaries are finished down under -- that is, in the big land mass called Texas, then they have their caucuses. More than a thousand of them.

Some newsy anchors say to make a big pot of coffee and wait for Texas. Well, maybe. And just maybe the news channels will call the vote after 12% of the returns are in. Then we can watch some real entertainment instead of these presidential wannabees who are even resorting to being on Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show. And the late night talk shows. That tells me how serious they are about what the Oval Office is all about.

##

BIBLE STUDY: Romans 13:1-14

Paul tells us what to do with children of men in this chapter -- that is, the rulers of earthly powers and authorities.

We're supposed to pay our taxes. We're supposed to pay our bills. We're not supposed to commit adultery; We're not supposed to murder anyone. We're not supposed to steal. We're not supposed to covet. Whatever other commandments there are, we're supposed to mind them.

Because when we do that, we are heeding the one big rule that Jesus Christ has given us: Love one another. (from verses 1-10)

In fact, we're supposed to love other people just like we love ourselves. Unless you have a self-esteem crisis going on, that would be a lot of love. Without being what Matthew Henry would call "vainglorious," we tend to think pretty highly of ourselves. I don't mean that in an arrogant way. If you don't think this might be true, just watch out for your reaction when someone steps on your human little toes.

Keep in mind that at the time Paul wrote this Letter to the Romans in the early spring of 57 A.D., Nero had been emperor of Rome for some three years. Nero was declared an adult at the age of 14 and ascended to the throne when he was 16. Rome burned in 64 A.D. Nero's caesarship ended in 68 A.D. when he is reported to have committed suicide. The revolt of the Jews against Rome was in 70 A.D.

That's just to give you an idea of what was happening in Rome during this time period. I don't think that Paul was holding a politically savvy point of view when he said to obey the rulers and authorities.

In the first place, Paul wasn't intimidated by the local rulers. Even the ones who, like Nero, were persecuting the Christians. Paul was perfectly willing to die for Christ. He has said more than once in his writings that his sufferings on account of Christ was a way of honoring Christ and upholding Christ's memory.

No. What Paul was reminding us is that God is the kingmaker. There is a cross-reference in this chapter to Daniel 2:21 -- He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding... ESV

And another cross reference to John 19:11 -- Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin." ESV

Paul tells the Romans to "wake up folks". In verse 11b-12: The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

My Concordia Study Bible says that this passage refers to the early Christian's belief that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ had ushered in a new time. This new time has to do with a period of waiting for Christ to return. We go into the end times, not knowing exactly when Christ will return -- because only our Heavenly Father knows that -- but warned that we should be ready at any given hour of the day. (p. 1738)

We should live our lives out here in the light -- not doing skulking about things that are done under the blanket of darkness.

He closes the chapter with this thought in verse 14: Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Discussion:

No matter where you are living in the world, there is political upheaval at this time. New elections. Regime changes. In light of today's Bible Study, can you see where God could be placing leaders -- good or bad -- positive or negative -- for spiritual growth within those countries?

Why do you think God would purposely set about a political change that would be a negative influence on citizens within a country? If you agree with the premise that we need conflict so that we can crystallize our point of view, does this help in your resolution of God's influence in the political arena?

We pray: Oh Lord, I pray for a God-fearing candidate to be successful in a bid for the White House. I pray that the new president of the United States will be someone who does not worship himself or herself as a self-made little god. Rather, I pray that someone who lives to serve you within a political arena will surface as the front-runner.

I pray that you will restore a strong Christian faith to the congressional leadership of the United States congress.

I pray that you will grant a Godly peace to form the relationships with all our allies. I pray that this peace will permeate the governments throughout the world.

I pray for our military personnel who serve us around the world. Keep them safe, Oh Lord. And I thank you for each and every person who has come forward to protect our country. Amen.

##

MY LIFE IN INK --

I was so disappointed that Emma wasn't on, as promised, last night.

Instead, what I got was Masterpiece Classics shorter program on how the Jane Austen novels were recreated for the screen. There are six Austen novels in total. I learned that since the time the first one was published, back in the early 1800s, she has never been out of print.

What happens is every once in a while a blockbuster film is remade and people go read the book. Then, because it's so delicious -- not that I'm a bookworm, mind you -- that people then go looking for her other books.

And pretty soon, you've read all her books, then start re-reading them. I would think that if a modern writer wanted a sure-fire success "formula," Jane Austen's intrigue would work.

The only modern writer who has even remotely come close is Victoria Holt. My mother had ever Holt novel that was written and the collection was a favorite item from her library. It was fun to read all the Holt novels because I could imagine my mother's reactions as I read the books.

But I squeezed reading Emma into last week. And also went over the highlights of Pride and Prejudice. Strained my poor little eyeballs so much that they looked like the interstate highway system by the end of the week.

I'll be running over to church after lunch for the Ladies Aid meeting. Don't know for sure what's on the agenda. We had the Altar Guild training meeting yesterday after church. So that's taken care of. That was mostly to show us new people where everything is and what to do if, for some reason, we run out of communion wine on the Sundays when it's my turn, and where the dripless spring-loaded candles are stored. And not to wad up the fair linen cloth and put it under the floral arrangements on the altar. (Somebody actually did that, which is what prompted the need for the meeting.)

We finished our stint as greeters before church on Sunday. We thought -- silly us -- that we just needed to be there fifteen minutes or so before the Sunday morning service. I mean everybody knows that Lutherans arrive at church within the last five to eight minutes before the service. And since there is practically assigned seating, it's a simple matter of dashing on in to the sanctuary to sit where they have always sat. Well, we were gently told that greeters should arrive before Sunday School because most families arrive then and they like to get their bulletins then.

See, it's all the little things that new people have to learn. And those traditions change from congregation to congregation. I mean, we always sit on the lectern side. Always have. No matter which church we've belonged to. That used to be called the "female side," mind you. That was because the old wood stove was on the right, or pulpit side. Word is that women, with their long skirts and petticoats, were plenty warm and didn't need heat from a stove. But men wore knee breeches. Maybe their stockings left their spindly little legs shivering. Don't know.

Anyway, just to shake things up (for ourselves) we ought to go over to the pulpit side one of these Sundays. We could arrive just a bit early and see if it feels all that uncomfortable. Nah. Third pew, lectern side is where we belong. It's the Reinheimer Lutheran way.

We had a kind of theater in the round new modern church where we used to go. We liked to sit in the tenth row, center section. Always did from the first Sunday that we attended.

Anyway, we like to sense of community that belonging to a church brings us. It's important to associate with friends who believe the same things we believe. Oh, I don't mean we're rubber stamps of each other. All you have to do is come to Pastor's Sunday Morning Discussion Group to realize that.

Well, it was 53 degrees outside when I started this blog an hour ago. Now it's 44 degrees and dropping. Something blowing in.

ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH: That way you don't have to worry about what you said to whom. I'll bet that's what Chef Robert Irvine wished he'd done. He's the chef on Food Network's Dinner: Impossible. He claimed that he had once cooked for Princess Diana. Not! You've been found out, there guy. I liked that show too. Food Network isn't going to renew his contract and in the immortal words of The Donald: You're fired!

BIBLE STUDY: Romans 12:1-21

Paul begins the third theme of his Letter to the Romans in chapter 12. This theme now turns toward how we can live a life that is pleasing to God. Though we are sinners from the moment of our birth, we can, however, live a godly life that is a reflection of our faith in God.

No longer are we required to kill a sacrificial animal and put it on an altar in order to please God, but rather, we are to live our own lives as a daily sacrifice because we have the Holy Spirit alive within us. In that sense, our bodies become "living sacrifices" of faith by everything that we do.

This message is a repeat of one he brought to the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 6:20 -- for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body...

Matthew Henry puts it like this: ...if the soul be united to Christ by faith, the whole man is become a member of his spiritual body. Other vices may be conquered in fight; that here cautioned against, only by flight. And vast multitudes are cut off by this vice in its various forms and consequences. Its effects fall not only directly upon the body, but often upon the mind.

Our bodies have been redeemed from deserved condemnation and hopeless slavery by the atoning sacrifice of Christ. We are to be clean, as vessels fitted for our Master's use. Being united to Christ as one spirit, and bought with a price of unspeakable value, the believer should consider himself as wholly the Lord's, by the strongest ties. May we make it our business, to the latest day and hour of our lives, to glorify God with our bodies, and with our spirits.

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=54&source=2&seq=i.53.6.3

And how many times have I heard the question asked that they want to know what God's plan, or purpose, or will is for their lives.

Listen to what Paul says about this in verse 2: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

God's will doesn't include lust of running after wealth or egotistically looking for applause or compliments. God's will doesn't include thirst for power. All these things will die away eventually.

What will not die is God's love.

Matthew Henry says that unless this victory over the world is begun in the heart, a man has no root in himself, but will fall away, or at most remain an unfruitful professor. Yet these vanities are so alluring to the corruption in our hearts, that without constant watching and prayer, we cannot escape the world, or obtain victory over the god and prince of it.

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=70&source=2&seq=i.69.2.4

Incidentally, Matthew Henry's complete commentary of the Bible can be found at this site: http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/MatthewHenryConcise/

We want to keep renewing ourselves. This regenerates our spiritual nature. Paul would tell the Colossians in Col. 3:10 -- ...put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.ESV

Paul brings this strong word of caution to the Romans in verse 3: For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

There's that warning not to get too uppity again. After all, these gifts have all come from God, so how could anyone get any kind of a superior attitude about a gift that has been received. It's not like we can create these gifts for ourselves. No. They are given to us to build God's kingdom here on earth. And we are to look at ourselves with sober judgment as we use these gifts.  

But what is this measure of faith that Paul is talking about? These measures of faith are not ours to keep for ourselves. God has given them to us so that we can help others restore their lives.

This is what we are called to do.

This is why we are given a measure of faith. What that measure is depends on the abilities we are challenged with.  

Christ used the metaphor in his parable of the talents in Matthew 25. If you recall, a man was going on a journey so he called his servants to him and gave them a kind of power of attorney over great amounts of funds.

In Matthew 15:15-17 we learn: To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

Eventually the master came back and called the servants to him. He wanted to know how the servants had made out in the management of the money. The master was happy with the two who had gotten a return on the money, but the guy who put his one talent in the ground?

It could come under the heading of "What were you thinking?"

The master was so unhappy with this  lazy servant who didn't even make an effort to work on appreciating the money's value that he took the talent away from him and gave it to the servant who had ten talents.

Then the master had the whiny servant thrown outside into the darkness. I'm guess outside the city walls where there weren't any streetlights. Out there in the loneliness of utter darkness, there was "weeping and gnashing of teeth." Maybe wolves or wild animals. Anyway it wasn't a safe place and this is where the story ends.

Except to say that a "talent" is a lot of money. It was worth about the same as twenty years' salary for a laborer. In today's vernacular, it takes about 7 years for an investment to double. But the guy who dug a hole in the ground was foolish indeed.

But what does that say about us when God gifts us with a measure of faith and we don't even try to bring people to Christ?

I've heard people say things like they could do a better job if they had "that person's" talent, etc.

Well, Paul had an answer to this kind of thinking, for in verses 4-5 he compares the different gifts to different parts of the body. The brain has a function that is uniquely different from the feet, and the stomach's assigned chore is much different from the lungs. Just watch a doctor get excited when the lungs and stomach get their roles mixed up! Food is not supposed to get into the lungs. It could even be deadly if it does.

It's the same with the the gifts of grace, Paul says, in verses 6-8. If a person's gift is serving, let him serve. If it's teaching, let him teach, etc.

We are to keep our spiritual fervor, serving the Lord, Paul says in verse 11.

Paul then says, in verses 12-13: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

In verses 14-16 are things that we are to do:

Bless those who persecute you...
Rejoice with those who rejoice...
Mourn with those who mourn...
Live in harmony with one another.

That's a challenging list. Have you ever tried to bless people when they are making fun of you or bullying you or being a kind of in-your-face pest?

Being happy with people who are happy is easy but how many times have you avoided going to a funeral or a wake because you just didn't know what to say?

But living in harmony with our neighbors includes all those things. It also includes things Paul says we shouldn't do in verses 16b-17:

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.
Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

This last one is a tough truth to live by. We're humans. We like to get even. Somewhere in the back of our sinful little brain, we even think we have the right to get even.

But think about this -- whatever it is that has been done to us -- or not done for us -- is a human condition. It's a flesh and blood anguish that pulls us ever closer toward Satan.

And flesh and blood do not inherit the kingdom of God. That heartache that you feel is not going to heaven with you. That revenge you feel is your right to pronounce and deliver is not going to heaven with you either. Those are flesh and blood indulgences.

Let them go. Give them to God because this is what he say in Proverbs 20:22 -- Do not say, "I will repay evil" -- wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

So answer me this: Do you truly believe God is the Lord of your life? When you say that God is in charge of the universe as well as your life, do you really, honestly believe it?

If you believe that, then give up this revenge that you neither have the authority nor the brilliance to deliver. Revenge is not your job. It will only magnify your heartache. 

It will keep you from growing the talent that God has given you. And when you have to explain to God why you only have that one little measly talent that he left you with because you were too busy nurturing a heartache instead of multiplying the talent (that is, growing the kingdom of God), prepare yourself to see a God who is disappointed in you.

Discussion:

We walk our lives on parallel paths. On one path is the worshipful, earnest Christian who wants more than anything to use all those talents that God has gifted us with.

Then there's the other path that we, in our humanness, stumble along on. It is the treacherous path that Satan trips along with us. The more talents we have -- the more spiritual gifts we have -- the more hurdles Satan puts on this path. He'd like to see us fail completely.

Can you think of any obstacles you may have that are keeping you locked up with vengeful thoughts? What would it take to let these thoughts go. Do you think God could handle this one problem in your life if you'd turn it over to him? Or do you think that God won't be vengeful enough? What would you truly like for God to do?

We pray: Oh Lord, I have some real problems with people that you have put in the path of my life. I often wonder just what you had in mind with all that because I know there are no coincidences in the way you line things up. Give me a forgiving heart, O Lord, and where I have not forgiven, I pray that you will send your Holy Spirit to my heart and sweep out all those ugly, sinful cobwebs that are stumbling stones in my relationship with you. Amen.

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MY LIFE IN INK --

Soups on! The cooking fragrances wafting out of the kitchen come all the way down into the office in the basement. This is a 7-bean red cabbage medley. I saw the Barefoot Contessa making a cabbage soup the other day that looked absolutely delicious, then she added white beans just to top it off.

I don't know what she called it, but the fragrances from her kitchen food lab just about popped through the TV. This is going to almost be a vegetarian day, except for the fudging I did with the bacon pieces in the skillet the gave just enough lubricant for the onion and celery chunks to sweat out their flavorful goodness.

It ought to be good for our cholesterol count. We don't eat a fraction of the meat that we used to. Quint and I both fight genetics on that one so we're pretty careful. But once in a while, there's just nothing that can beat a good old steak on the grill. We're saving up cholesterol credits for that since the weather it starting to be more welcoming.

It's going to get up in the 60s today -- rumor has it.

Quint had to go to the car dealer first thing this morning. Freddie's (that's what we call our Focus) passenger door handle decided it was going to be contrary. So he's sitting in the back seat for most trips about town. I do a great deal of the driving -- mainly because I get really bored just sitting over there on the passenger side. But then, I could knit. That would be good when my hyper self kicks in.

But for now, it would look too much like he's being chauffeured about. We tried it yesterday on the way from the IGA. What a back seat driver he turned out to be! He ought to just watch it. I have a command central button on the driver's door that locks everything down. I could leave him sitting back there for hours. That is, unless he tried to climb over the seat and get out on the drivers side. But I wouldn't want to do that to him. He'd probably get mad and pout and all that stuff.

Besides, I've never seen Quint really really upset, like out loud mad, but I don't think I would ever want him to be mad at me. He'd probably blow up. Then I'd have a big mess to clean up. Better to keep him happy, I always say. I know -- that's taking the easy way out, but it's how our marriage has wonderfully survived all these thirty some odd years. There's just not that much going on that's worth a hill of beans, my grandma used to say. Happy is a lot more fun!  

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BIBLE STUDY: Romans 11:1-36

This chapter completes the second of three themes that Paul brings to the Romans in his letter.

The first theme, in chapters 1-8, is focused on righteousness from God, justification through Christ, and sanctification.

In this second movement, so to speak, Paul is focused on tearing away this divide between the Jews and the Gentiles, and the Jews rejection of Christ being Lord of all -- Jews and Gentiles alike.

And the third theme (which we'll begin on Monday that will continue through the 16th chapter) will be about how we can all practice a righteous life.

As we go through this chapter 11, I want you to think about the present-day mess that the world is in. There are civil wars on the continent of Africa. There are despots claiming to be the most powerful ruler in the world. There are many little "king tuts" running for president here in the United States, each one claiming to be "the enlightened one."

Except for his amusement, I have to wonder why God even allows all the shenanigans to go on. Part of the answer to that question is embedded in Paul's writings here in the 11th chapter of this letter to the Romans.

So put your thinking cap on, sharpen your pencils and get your tablets out. This is going to be an quick-step adventure! Paul is at his best in this chapter. He's rested. He's sharp. He's about to bring all his points together into one big Spirit-driven mountain of a point.

From the first verse of this chapter, Paul uses his own biography to point out that God does not reject his people. Paul says, "I'm a descendant of Abraham too." Specifically, Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin.

And then in verses 2-3, Paul says: God did not reject his people whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah -- how he appealed to God against Israel: "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me."

The emphasis on "foreknew" is mine.

Paul was talking about "foreknowledge" back in 8:29 -- For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

There is a strong clue here that God knew who was going to be born on this earth before he even made the heavens and the earth.

I am talking about the creation of our souls; not our bodies of flesh. Our soul is the very essence of our peopleness.

I have a cross reference here to 1 Samual 12:22 -- For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.ESV

This bible reference enjoys an explanation in Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible: At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than God, or Samuel; promising themselves more from an arm of flesh, than from the arm of God, or from the power of prayer.

So here were those obstinate Israelites again. God sent Samuel to bring them back into his fold. But how in the world could Samuel do that? These Israelites were asking the king for help. They were worshiping the king. Pure folly, says Samuel!

Then Samuel tells the Israelites that he's going to show them the real power -- the power from God. God is going to bring a thunder-clapping huge big old storm right out there in the fields on a bright sunny day!

Will that make believers out of you?

The Israelites wondered all right. Was their human ruler going to be able to do as mighty a thing as Samuel could do just by praying?

Back to Matthew Henry's comments: It startled them very much. Some will not be brought to see their sins by any gentler methods than storms and thunders. They entreat Samuel to pray for them. Now they see their need of him whom shortly before they slighted.

Thus many who will not have Christ to reign over them, would yet be glad to have him intercede for them, to turn away the wrath of god.

Samuel aims to confirm the people in their religion. Whatever we make a god of, we shall find it deceive us.

Creatures in their own places are good; but when put in God's place, they are vain things.

We sin if we restrain prayer, and in particular if we cease praying for the church. They only asked him to pray for them; but he promises to do more, to teach them. He urges that they were bound in gratitude to serve God, considering what great things he had done for them; and that they were bound in interest to serve him, considering what he would do against them, if they should still do wickedly.

Thus, as a faithful watchman, he gave them warning, and so delivered his own soul. If we consider what great things the Lord hath done for us, especially in the great work of redemption, we can neither want motive, encouragement, nor assistance in serving him.

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=26&source=2&seq=i.9.12.3

Curious, don't you think, that every time there is a rejection by the Israelites, God sends a powerful spokesman to get them back on track.

God sent Samuel to help the Jews and now he's put Paul in the big middle of them.

In so many instances, as we read through the Bible, we see how God overruled the Israelites in their unbelief. He put them out there in the desert to wander around until they could come to the power of their belief again.

And in this first century of Christianity, God is again in a position where he needs to powerfully overrule the Jews' lack of acceptance of the Gentiles.

For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage -- Psalm 94:14. ESV

God did not let harm come to Elijah when he prayed for help and God was not going to let the Jews overcome the Apostle Paul either. 

God said to Elijah, in verse 4b: I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.

Not to worry then. There was always a remnant remaining. There was always this incredible ability to start over, if need be. Same is true in Paul's time. Listen to what Paul says in verses 5-6: So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works: if it were, grace would no longer be grace. NIV

So this is the thought that God must now overrule -- a remnant has been chosen by grace. That remnant is extended to the Gentiles. They didn't earn it any more than the Jews earned their grace. 

Grace is a gift. You can't earn a gift. If you get a gift because of something you've done (works), then you have to call it something else. It would then become a supplemental benefit, like a bonus for a job well done. 

This acceptance of God's gift of grace will become a stumbling block, as Paul says when he reads the quote from David in verse 9: May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. NIV -- Psalms 69:22-23

Paul then turns his attention to the Gentiles. He says in verse 11b: ...because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.

Paul gives a fuller explanation in verses 13-14: I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy. NIV

Paul is referring back to a passage in Acts 9:15 -- But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. ESV

Matthew Henry says: A good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's feet with those words, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

And never did Christ leave any who were brought to that.

Behold, the proud Pharisee, the unmerciful oppressor, the daring blasphemer, prayeth! And thus it is even now, and with the proud infidel, or the abandoned sinner. What happy tidings are these to all who understand the nature and power of prayer, of such prayer as the humbled sinner presents for the blessings of free salvation!

Now he began to pray after another manner than he had done; before, he had said his prayers, now, he prayed them.

Regenerating grace sets people on praying; you may as well find a living man without breath, as a living Christian without prayer....The teaching of the Hoy Spirit takes away the scales of ignorance and rice from the understanding; then the sinner becomes a new creature, and endeavors to recommend the anointed Saviour, the Son of God, to his former companions (Acts 9:23-31).

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=52&source=2&seq=i.51.9.2

Paul then likens his ministry to a kind of horticultural lesson when he talks about the Gentiles being grafted onto the trunk of the wild olive tree which represented the Israelites, in verses 19-21: You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in."

Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.

For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. NIV

Paul then warns the Gentiles not to get too uppity because their continued favor in God's eyes is based on God's kindness. And it's true that the message that Paul is bringing them is because the Jews rejected Paul's message. But they could be cut off too. The matter of the Jewish question rests on whether or not they persist in their unbelief. If they don't, God can graft them back onto the trunk again.

Paul brings the promise of God to all the Jews in verses 26b-27: The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.

Paul says in verse 29 that God's gifts and God's call are irrevocable. After all, Paul explains in verses 30-32: Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. NIV

Paul then wraps up this chapter with a doxology which is a short expression of praise to God. Doxologies were in wide use both in the Jewish synagogue as well as in Christian worship services. They continue to play a large part of the worship in liturgical churches, for hymns of praise are based on Biblical passages set to music. 

Most common of the doxologies today is the Common Doxology:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Go to this website and click on the box in the upper left corner for music to this doxology: http://www.joyfulministry.com/doxolf.htm

This particular doxology is based on Psalm 86:12 and has remained the most frequently sung words of praise for more than three hundred years. The words were written by a seventeenth century Anglican Bishop named Thomas Ken.

Paul's doxology is found in verses 33-36:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?
Who have ever given to God, that God should repay him?
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Discussion:

We are so blessed to be one of God's chosen people. What are some of the things you pray for when you pray for the church every day?

Here are some suggestions:

Pastor
Church leaders (trustees, elders, deacons, other lay leaders)
Musical leaders
Prayer partners
Children to come to the Lord
Believers to renew their path to faith

What can you add to this list?

Discuss what you think is meant by a "stumbling block" as Paul quotes from Psalm 69:22-23. We might use the phrase "tipping point" as a similar expression today.

Can you just imagine the challenges that Paul faced in trying to reconcile the Jews and Gentiles into one worshiping group of believers? If you were faced with such challenges, how would you go about it?

Fortunately for Paul, he had the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide him in his challenging work.

So do you. Every day of your life, you have the availability of the Holy Spirit to be with you, to guide you, to equip you for all that God wants you to do here on earth. Like Paul, pray the prayer, "What do you want me to do, Lord." But pray the prayer -- don't say the prayer. There's a big difference. When you're praying your prayers, you won't feel like you're talking to a blank wall, like when you're just saying them.

We pray: O Lord, no matter how much I try, I just can't seem to get it right. Please come into my heart and give me a glimpse of what it is you would have me do. I want to serve you. I pray that you would guide me so that I will serve you -- not just when it's convenient for me, or when I want to -- but when you need for me to do what you want me to do.

I pray for all the pastors and teachers and counselors who guide others to you. Keep them strong and always in a working faith. I pray for strength and health for them so that they can perform their work diligently. Amen.

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WE ARE LOSING THE GREATEST GENERATION -- from A. Stubbe -- USN, Ret.
written by: CPT. Stephen R. Ellison, M.D., US Army

I am a doctor specializing in the Emergency Departments of the only two military Level One - Trauma Centers, both in San Antonio, TX and they care for civilian emergencies as well as military personnel. San Antonio has the largest military retiree population in the world living here. As a military doctor, I work long hours and the pay is less than glamorous. One tends to become jaded by the long hours, lack of sleep, food, family contact and the endless parade of human suffering passing before you. The arrival of another ambulance does not mean more pay, only more work.

Most often, it is a victim from a motor vehicle crash.

Often it is a person of dubious character who has been shot or stabbed. With our large military retiree population, it is often a nursing home patient. Even with my enlisted service and minimal combat experience in Panama, I have caught myself groaning when the ambulance brought in yet another sick, elderly person from one of the local retirement centers that cater to military retirees. I had not stopped to think of what citizens of this age group represented.

I saw Saving Private Ryan. I was touched deeply. Not so much by the carnage, but by the sacrifices of so many. I was touched most by the scene of the elderly survivor at the graveside, asking his wife if he'd been a good man.

I realized that I had seen these same men and women coming through my Emergency Dept. and had not realized what magnificent sacrifices they had made. The things they did for me and everyone else that has lived on this planet since the end of that conflict are priceless.

Situation permitting, I now try to ask my patients about their experiences. They would never bring up the subject without the inquiry. I have been privileged to an amazing array of experiences, recounted in the brief minutes allowed in an Emergency Dept. encounter. These experiences have revealed the incredible individuals I have had the honor of serving in a medical capacity, many on their last admission to the hospital.

There was a frail, elderly woman who reassured my young enlisted medic, trying to start an IV line in her arm. She remained calm and poised, despite her illness and the multiple needle-sticks into her fragile veins. She was what we call a "hard stick." As the medic made another attempt, I noticed a number tattooed across her forearm. I touched it with one finger and looked into her eyes. She simply said, "Auschwitz." Many of later generations would have loudly and openly berated the young medic in his many attempts. How different was the response from the person who'd seen unspeakable suffering.

Also, there was this long retired Colonel, who as a young officer had parachuted from his burning plane over a Pacific Island held by the Japanese. Now an octogenarian, he had a minor cut on his head from a fall at his home where he lived alone. His CT scan and suturing had been delayed until after midnight by the usual parade of high priority ambulance patients. Still spry for his age, he asked to use the phone to call a taxi to take him home, then he realized his ambulance had brought him without a wallet. He asked if he could use the phone to make a long distance call to his daughter who lived 7 miles away. With great pride we told him that he could not, as he'd done enough for his country and the least we could do was get him a taxi home, even if we had to pay for it ourselves. My only regret was that my shift wouldn't end for several hours, and I couldn't drive him myself.

I was there the night M/Sgt. Roy Benavidez came through the Emergency Dept. for the last time. He was very sick. I was not the doctor taking care of him, but I walked to his bedside and took his hand. I said nothing. He was so sick, he didn't even know I was there. I'd read his Congressional Medal of Honor citation and I wanted to shake his hand. He died a few days later.

The gentleman who served with Merrill's Marauders,

the survivor of the Bataan Death March,

the survivor of Omaha Beach,

the 101 year old WWI veteran,

the former POW held in frozen North Korea,

the former Special Forces medic -- now with non-operable liver cancer,

the former Viet Name Corps Commander.

I remember these citizens.

I may still groan when yet another ambulance comes in, but now I am much more aware of what an honor it is to serve these particular men and women.

I have seen a Congress that would turn their back on these individuals who've sacrificed so much to protect our liberty. I see later generations that seem to be totally engrossed in abusing these same liberties, won with such sacrifice.

It has become my personal endeavor to make the nurses and young enlisted medics aware of these amazing individuals when I encounter them in our Emergency Dept. Their response to these particular citizens has made me think that perhaps all is not lost in the next generation.

My experiences have solidified my belief that we are losing an incredible generation, and this nation knows not what it is losing. Our uncaring government and ungrateful citizen populace should all take note. We should all remember that we must "Earn this."

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WITTY INSULTS -- from Rickey Roux

The exchange between Churchill and Lady Astor:

She said, If you were my husband, I'd give you poison. And he said, If you were my wife, I'd take it.

Gladstone, a member of Parliament, to Benjamin Disraeli: Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.

That depends, sir, said Disraeli, on whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.

He had delusions of adequacy. -- Walter Kerr

He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. -- Winston Churchill

A modest little person, with much to be modest about. -- Winston Churchill

I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure. -- Clarence Darrow

He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary. -- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)

Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words? -- Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)

Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it. -- Moses Hadas

He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know. -- Abraham Lincoln

I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it. -- Mark Twain

He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends. -- Oscar Wilde

I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend. If you have one. -- George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

Cannot possible attend first night, will attend second. If there is one. -- Winston Churchill, in response to Shaw.

I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here. -- Stephen Bishop

He is a self-made man and worships his creator. -- John Bright

I just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial. -- Irvin S. Cobb

He is not only himself, he is the cause of dullness in others. -- Samuel Johnson

He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up. -- Paul Keating

There's nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won't cure. -- Jack E. Leonard

He has the attention span of a lightning bolt. -- Robert Redford

They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge. -- Thomas Brackett Reed

In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily. -- Charles, Count Talleyrand

He loves nature in spite of what it did to him. -- Forrest Tucker

Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it? -- Mark Twain

His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork. -- Mae West

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go. -- Oscar Wilde

He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts -- for support rather than illumination. -- Andrew Lang

He has Van Gogh's ear for music. -- Billy Wilder

I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it. -- Groucho Marx

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