“We do not believe any group of men adequate enough or wise enough to operate without scrutiny or without criticism. We know that the only way to avoid error is to detect it, that the only way to detect it is to be free to inquire. We know that in secrecy error undetected will flourish and subvert.” –J. Robert Oppenheimer
There are plenty of opportunities these days to worry about . . . particularly with respect to various events associated with next week’s election and the cloud of lies and duplicity associated with them. We’re getting more information that PTrump will gather more electoral votes than in 2016 . . . but what if he doesn’t? What if PTrump wins and the lying Democrats continue with their obstructionism in the House? What if we get the House back but Kevin McCarthy really is a Paul Ryan protege? What if the corrupt Executive leaders largely retain their positions? What if AG Barr really isn’t interested in prosecutions? What if Hillary, Obama and Biden escape justice? Worry, worry, worry.
As has been mentioned numerous times, the events of the future will happen in accordance with God’s plans . . . and God’s plans are perfect . . . and they are crafted so that all things work together for the good of those who love God . . . even though we don’t see it or may not even agree with it.
We don’t have to understand . . . we need to trust . . . and not worry. God’s got this, even if we witness the greatest travesty that politics in American has ever seen.
Tough to do? You bet . . . virtually impossible, but there it is.
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” — Matthew 6:34
I’m generally a glass-half-full kind of person. I trust God for the future. Yet I admit that I do secretly worry about what will happen when my three-year cancer treatment plan ends. I worry about my children who have already lost their father to cancer. I worry about my husband having another heart attack. I worry about my dad’s grief and loneliness after losing my mom and then my stepmom.
What secret worries linger in the back of your mind?
We can imagine Jesus lovingly shaking his head at all of our what-ifs, and asking the rhetorical question “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Jesus teaches us not to waste time with such concerns but instead to “seek first the kingdom” of God. We can focus on living out the gospel, sharing it with others, and maximizing the time we are given.
Jesus challenges us to have faith and to trust that the Father knows exactly what we need. Rather than fret, we are invited to surrender our stress to Jesus. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,” he says, “and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
This Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It is also a place to read, post and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure you’re addressing the issue only, and not trying to confront the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name calling, ridicule, insults, baiting and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
Let’s not give the Internet Censors a reason to shut down this intellectual haven that Wolf has created for us.
The Storm is upon us. Please remember to Pray for our President.
AND WHAT TIME IS IT? TIME TO DRAIN THE SWAMP!!!
It’s time to replace a failed and CORRUPT political establishment with a new government controlled by you, the American People. ~ Candidate Donald J. Trump
Also remember Wheatie’s Rules:
No food fights.
No running with scissors.
If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.
And,
On this day and every day –
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Faith
The bedrock foundation of Christianity is faith; faith that Jesus, the Son of God, our Messiah, who died for our sin and rose again, is our personal Savior.
But, the question may be asked, “How strong must my faith be? What about those little doubts that creep in from time to time?”
The first thought I have on this question is that my faith comes from God; it is not my personal attribute. God gives faith in the form of a gift (Ephesians 2:8) (we don’t earn it or deserve it), because of His grace and mercy, and because He loves us.
Faith is not the product of a preacher’s compelling presentation, his eloquence, or even his theological soundness—faith is given through the message about Jesus. God gives us faith “by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. This is the means God has chosen. It is through the Word of God that faith comes to us . . . and since that faith comes from God, it must be sufficient for His purpose.
The second thought I have is that we have a great illustration of the amount of faith required from the Old Testament and the Children of Israel, who were wandering in the desert for 40 years because of their lack of faith, their unbelief that God would bring them to the Promised Land as He had promised. This is related in Numbers 21:
4 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” 6 So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.
7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
God judged the people by sending snakes, and many of them died. But the Israelites simply had to look up to that bronze snake in order not to die. How great a faith did the action of looking at that bronze snake take? All an Israelite had to do, in the hope of a promise from God that he can’t see, was look at the bronze serpent on the pole. That is the example, the preview, that God gave us in the Old Testament of us now, trusting in His Son, who was lifted up on a cross for our sins.
The third thought I have is from Matthew 17:14–20, where we see Christ’s disciples unable to exorcise a demon from a young boy, even though Jesus had previously given them the authority to do so. When they asked Jesus why they weren’t able to drive the demon out, Jesus replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there’ and it will move; Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:14–20).
What Jesus is saying is that with very little faith, indeed, we (actually God) will do great things. The power of faith is all from God, and He will do great things on our behalf if we have but small amounts of faith.
Just as Moses lifted up the bronze snake in the desert, Jesus was lifted up on Calvary. In John 3:13, the Bible says “No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”
John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” That’s the significance of that Old Testament event. It is this, that we deserve to perish in hell because of our sin. But another has been put there in our place, Jesus Christ. He has paid the full price for our sin. Us too, all we need to do is by faith trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ and we will be saved.
1 “Thus says the Lord to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held— To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: 2 ‘I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob My servant’s sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me. 5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; 7 I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.’
In verse 1 we see that God is speaking through Isaiah to Cyrus who was the king of Babylon according to history and to Ezra 4:1-6. Cyrus then was a pagan king of a pagan government. But look at how God addresses King Cyrus of Persia: “His anointed.”
The God of heaven and the God of His people raised up a Persian king who would take over Babylon when the men and women whose parents had been taken into captivity were ready to return to Jerusalem. God sent Israel into captivity for 70 years and then raised up Cyrus, who would do God’s bidding in God’s timing to return the exiles, rebuild their temple and rebuild the city walls. We see in this Isaiah passage that God was in control of all things regarding His people at all times.
Every generation can put the name of their king, their president, and their prime minister in this passage. Romans 14 tells us that every government power is of God and does God’s bidding. A few years ago we could say that President Obama was God’s instrument doing God’s bidding. This year we can say that President Trump is God’s instrument doing God’s bidding. Whichever one you have trouble with, rest assured that God is in control doing His work through these national leaders.
In the book of Daniel we see great prophesies concerning kingdoms that were yet to come. As those prophesied nations rose and fell we could see God’s hand behind them all accomplishing His overall purposes in the earth. As cruel as the Roman government and its army was, God put them in place so in the fullness of time Jesus could come to earth.
As we read the book of Revelation we see that there are prophecies yet to be fulfilled. God is using every ruler of every country to bring about His divine plan for the fulfillment of all things. In the end we will see and know that God was in control doing His bidding through godless leaders and we will praise God forever for His great will.
This Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It is also a place to read, post and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for your fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure you’re addressing the issue only, and not trying to confront the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name calling, ridicule, insults, baiting and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
Let’s not give the Internet Censors a reason to shut down this intellectual haven that Wolf has created for us.
The Storm is upon us. Please remember to Pray for our President.
AND WHAT TIME IS IT? TIME TO DRAIN THE SWAMP!!!
It’s time to replace a failed and CORRUPT political establishment with a new government controlled by you, the American People. ~ Candidate Donald J. Trump
Also remember Wheatie’s Rules:
No food fights.
No running with scissors.
If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.
And,
On this day and every day –
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, you can find something here that will build you up a little . . . give you a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Bad Days
Have you ever had a really bad day? Well, that’s probably kind of a dumb question, the answer being “Of course I have”!
Well then, have you had a number of bad days? Well, again, I think most of us would answer “Duh”! Recently? Well, yeah.
I think we all, some more, some less have bad days. Even really bad days. Maybe even lots of ’em.
Maybe something at work, or at home, or between us and God . . . we’ve had bad days, are having bad days, and will have bad days.
So, what’re we gonna do about that? Just wallow in the situation and let time, the great healer, eventually have its effect?
Well, we don’t have to do that. As Christians, when we are beset with a plague of bad days, we are in a position to look at those days with a perspective that will reduce them to, well, hopefully next to nothing at all.
When we’re having a bad day, it helps to be reminded that God is on our side and that we are one of God’s beloved children, officially adopted into His family.
So if we’re having a bad day today, let’s sit back and remind ourselves of just what our Heavenly Father promises us.
Deuteronomy 31:6: Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Psalm 55:22: Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be shaken.
Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
1 John 5:4: For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.
Romans 8:37-39: Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Well, that’s all good for holding a proper perspective, but the bad days don’t just get logically into our heads, they get deep into us at an emotional level, also.
John 16:33: I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
John 14:27: I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
When we get caught up in that “Oh, poor me!” trap, I think the Psalms are the place to go. We’ll have a really difficult time hanging on to our precious little bundle of self pity while and after we read a few of our favorite Psalms. Praise and Thanksgiving Psalms work the best in these situations.
Try one:
Psalm 16 1 Watch over me, O God, for in You I put my trust. 2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You.” 3 As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” 4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips. 5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You uphold my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. 7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in the abode of the dead, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
When we stop and think that we praise and thank God for a future eternity of Peace and Joy in His presence, that singular fact has the effect of reducing our transient bad days to just a nit.
Just think of it . . . an eternity of Joy and Peace with God of such a quality that “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
We won’t let a bad day distract us from God’s blessings. We are loved. We are not alone. God delights in us. We are victorious. In fact, we are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. So we will be encouraged and have a good day because “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
The Word of God reveals that Jesus Christ will one day judge every person who has ever lived.
Acts 10:42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
At that time, unbelievers will be exiled from God’s presence, and believers will stand before Jesus with full comprehension of His extravagant grace.
True followers of the Savior, however, have nothing to fear, as this judgment is not for the purpose of determining salvation—that was settled the moment they first put their faith in the Son of God. And as Romans 8:1 reassures us, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Instead, the Lord will judge His own for the purpose of rewards.
In other words, though none of us can live a perfect life here on earth, we do not need to dread this face-to-face time of reckoning with our Savior. Christ’s judgment is not a punishment; it is a reminder that we are pardoned.
On that day, we will stand before the Lord, clothed in Christ’s righteousness and forgiven of every single sin. And we will at last fully comprehend the depth and breadth of His grace and love for us.
This Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It is also a place to read, post and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for your fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure you’re addressing the issue only, and not trying to confront the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name calling, ridicule, insults, baiting and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
Let’s not give the Internet Censors a reason to shut down this intellectual haven that Wolf has created for us.
The Storm is upon us. Please remember to Pray for our President.
AND WHAT TIME IS IT? TIME TO DRAIN THE SWAMP!!!
It’s time to replace a failed and CORRUPT political establishment with a new government controlled by you, the American People. ~ Candidate Donald J. Trump
Also remember Wheatie’s Rules:
No food fights.
No running with scissors.
If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.
And,
On this day and every day –
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, you can find something here that will build you up a little . . . give you a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Proverbs 9:10 Reverence for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding
Our culture is wearying. Not only is it non-stop and fast-paced, but it is also so full of contention and controversy that it is maddening, stressful, and frustrating.
God accurately catches the essence of our time when He tells Daniel, “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4). The word picture is of a multitude of people scurrying around like ants, but unlike ants, their scurrying is erratic, futile, and unproductive. The New English Bible creatively renders this, “Many will be at their wits’ end,” suggesting both frustration and a kind of psychosis in the people as they struggle to keep up with and understand what is happening around them.
It is no wonder that many throw up their hands and give up trying to battle the culture. Some of these simply give in and go with the flow, while others check out altogether, finding a place out in the country, throwing out their televisions and having as little to do with the rest of us as possible. Many others, knowing they cannot escape to rural tranquility due to job or family commitments, do their best to withdraw privately from the exasperating culture.
Our culture, with its 24-hour news cycle and information overload, obfuscates every important matter. From the mainstream media to mysterious entities that claim detailed insider knowledge, virtually none can be trusted as they manipulate facts into contradictory stories about almost every news item. That is an unsound basis on which to build a functioning and productive society.
We are warned that things will only get worse as the end approaches (Matthew 24:6, 8, 21; II Timothy 3:1, 13). Society will continue to break down, violence and deception will increase, and persecution of those who live morally will intensify—not a positive outlook as we prepare for the kingdom of God.
(Adapted and excerpted from *https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/weekly/id/189/our-enervating-culture.htm)
With all the fanciful speculation swirling about concerning the much heralded “10 Days of Darkness”, I thought I might present a few thoughts, from a source that can be absolutely trusted, about being quiet, a shutdown, if you will, an escape to tranquility that might actually be profitable to read, think about and even do.
Be still and know that I am God
This thought comes from Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God; / I will be exalted among the nations, / I will be exalted in the earth.”
This verse comes from a longer section of Scripture that proclaims the power and security of God. Here is the whole psalm:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Notice that the majority of the psalm is written in the third person as the psalmist speaks about God. However, God’s voice comes through in verse 10, and the Lord speaks in the first person: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Be still. This is a call for those involved in activity, to be still. The word still is a translation of the Hebrew word rapa, meaning “to slacken, let down, or cease.” It is only after our own activity on our behalf has stopped that we can acknowledge our trust in God. Christians often interpret the command to “be still” as “to be quiet in God’s presence.” While quietness is certainly helpful, the phrase means to stop frantic activity, to let down, and to be still. For God’s people being “still” would involve looking to the Lord for their help (cf. Exodus 14:13); for God’s enemies, being “still” would mean ceasing to fight a battle they cannot win.
Know that I am God. Know in this instance means “to properly ascertain by seeing” and “acknowledge, be aware.” How does acknowledging God impact our stillness? We know that He is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (present everywhere), omnipotent (all-powerful), holy, sovereign, faithful, infinite, and good. Acknowledging God implies that we can trust Him and surrender to His plan because we understand who He is.
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. It was tempting for the nation of Israel to align with foreign powers, and God reminds them that ultimately He is exalted! God wins, and He will bring peace. During Isaiah’s time, Judah looked for help from the Egyptians, even though God warned against it. Judah did not need Egyptian might; they needed reliance on the Lord: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).
When we are still and surrendered to God, we find peace even when the earth gives way, the mountains fall (verse 2), or the nations go into an uproar and kingdoms fall (verse 6). When life gets overwhelming and busyness takes precedence, remember Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Stop our activity, run to Him and fall into His arms. Acknowledge that He is God and that He is exalted in the earth. Be still and know that He is God.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
In the beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). What exactly does it mean to be poor in spirit, and why does being poor in spirit result in the kingdom of heaven? Why is “poor in spirit” something God wants us to be? Why would God want us to be “poor” at anything?
Some propose that Jesus is speaking of financial poverty, that He is advocating being poor so that riches and possession don’t come between us and God. While it is true that Jesus elsewhere warned against seeking riches (Matthew 6:24), that does not seem to be Jesus’ point in Matthew 5:3. Jesus is speaking of being “poor in spirit”; i.e., being “spiritually poor.” In the beatitudes, Jesus is concerned with spiritual realities, not material possessions. What, then, does it mean to be spiritually poor?
To be poor in spirit is to recognize your utter spiritual bankruptcy before God. It is understanding that you have absolutely nothing of worth to offer God. Being poor in spirit is admitting that, because of your sin, you are completely destitute spiritually and can do nothing to deliver yourself from your dire situation. Jesus is saying that, no matter your status in life, you must recognize your spiritual poverty before you can come to God in faith to receive the salvation He offers.
Why and how does being poor in spirit result in the kingdom of heaven? While the phrase can be broad in meaning, “kingdom of heaven” essentially refers to salvation. The kingdom of heaven is both eternity in heaven with God after death (Romans 6:23) and the eternal quality of life with God before death (John 10:10). God offers us salvation as a gift, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, the full payment for sin’s penalty. Before we can receive this gift, we must understand that we cannot make ourselves worthy of it. Salvation is by grace through faith, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). We must recognize our sinfulness before we can understand our need for a Savior. We must admit our spiritual poverty before we can receive the spiritual riches God offers (Ephesians 1:3). We must, in short, be “poor in spirit.”
When Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” He is declaring that, before we can enter God’s kingdom, we must recognize the utter worthlessness of our own spiritual currency and the inability of our own works to save us.
This Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It is also a place to read, post and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for your fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure you’re addressing the issue only, and not trying to confront the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name calling, ridicule, insults, baiting and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
Let’s not give the Internet Censors a reason to shut down this intellectual haven that Wolf has created for us.
The Storm is upon us. Please remember to Pray for our President.
AND WHAT TIME IS IT? TIME TO DRAIN THE SWAMP!!!
It’s time to replace a failed and CORRUPT political establishment with a new government controlled by you, the American People. ~ Candidate Donald J. Trump ~
Also remember Wheatie’s Rules:
No food fights.
No running with scissors.
If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.
And,
On this day and every day –
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, you can find something here that will build you up a little . . . give you a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
With the events of the day swirling around us like debris in the Maelstrom, we need to step back . . . and look up . . . for a much needed blessing of perspective.
This life we are living now is not all there is.
The bible says, “When this tent we live in – our body here on earth – is turned down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has made, which will last forever.” The bible simply calls your earthly body a “tent” but refers to your future body, in heaven, as a “house.”
The day your heart stops beating will be the end of your body and the end to your time on earth, but it will not be the end of you. Death is not the end of you. Death is not your termination, so there are eternal consequences to everything you do on earth.
There is more to earth than just here and now. Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production. You will spend far more time on the other side of death — in eternity — than you will here. Earth is a staging area, the preschool, or the tryout for your life in eternity. So stop living your life in regrets and living your life with a negative attitude. God has a plan and God has his reason for everything. Don’t ruin this “tent” we are in now, because of a bad day or a bad week or even a bad month. Don’t you know the saying, “You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.” It’s so true. Life is full of terrible things, but if you look past those terrible things you will find all the amazing things in life.
Let me assure you that heaven does exist! Heaven isn’t something people dreamed up because they couldn’t accept the idea that this life is all there is. Heaven is real — and we know it because Jesus Christ came back from the grave to assure us it’s real. Jesus said, “I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).
The main difference between earth and heaven is that this world has been marred by sin — but heaven has not. Heaven is perfect, because heaven (unlike earth) is free from sin’s devastation. Never forget: Sin is like a crippling disease that corrupts and destroys everything it touches — not just the human race, but all creation. Only at the end of the present age, the Bible says, will “the creation itself … be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom (from sin) of the children of God” (Romans 8:21).
But heaven hasn’t been touched by sin, nor will it ever be because heaven is the dwelling place of God, who is absolutely holy and without sin. This is why we must not only be forgiven, but we must be cleansed of our sins if we are to enter heaven. If you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the Bible says that “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).
We can barely imagine what it would be like to live in a world that is totally free from all sin and sickness and death. But someday we’ll live in a place like this: Heaven.
27th Ordinary Sunday October 4, 2020 “Pseudogods or Godlike?”
Isaiah 5:1-7 Philippians 4:6-9 Matthew 21:33-43
My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord –
The tragic thing about the human race is that we don’t readily learn from our mistakes. Year after year, generation after generation, we continue to do things which are destructive to ourselves and to untold masses of people.
Yes, we have made progress – in some areas we have made great progress – like those in technology and medicine. However, in furthering the good of everyone – and in the area of moral development – we are disastrously slow. There are, probably, many reasons for this, but one of the most serious of them has to be human selfishness with the pride that undergirds it.
We always want more – we continue to want the best – often we resent and envy those who are better off – who seem to have more. And we take advantage of weaker folks in order to promote and increase our own wealth and power.
At the root of our selfishness and pride is our secret desire to be God! We want things our way – we want no one to question our motives – and we want others to serve us and do what we expect!
Unfortunately, when leaders do this, eventually there is civil war and war between nations. World War I was the “war to end all wars”. And then came World War II that was also to end all wars – But it did not. Because human selfishness always seems to become rampant after a generation or two. Thus, we continually repeat the same disastrous mistakes!
The scriptures for today teach us how important it is to serve the Lord God and not try to be gods ourselves.
God created the human race, and yet, we rebelled from the beginning.
He established the Chosen People to prepare the world for the restoration of what had been lost. Unfortunately, those Chosen People failed to become all that God expected them to be.
The prophet Isaiah tells us that the vineyard of God, which was Israel, did not live according to God’s plan. That vineyard produced only rotten grapes. Consequently, God let it be destroyed. This destruction happened during the time of Isaiah – and it happened again after the time of Jesus!
Jesus was sent, through God’s mercy and love, to restore what was lost through our sinfulness. However, the leaders – the scribes, Pharisees, chief priests, and the elders – were selfish and prideful. They had become self-righteous – and, unknowingly, had set themselves up above God Himself. Their attitude toward Jesus and their behavior proved this.
The Gospel parable, again, refers to the vineyard of Israel and the prophets who God sent to collect the fruits of goodness and justice that God expected. Yet, they rejected the prophets – they did them harm – and even killed some of them. And when God sent His Son, as the last resort, they killed him so that they could have everything they wanted!
Unfortunately, they lost everything! Jerusalem was conquered by Titus in 70 ACE. During the siege and bloodbath which followed, over one million Jews were killed – mostly non-combatants – the city and temple were reduced to rubble – and the survivors were enslaved or sold into the slavery of other nations.
Fortunately, that remnant of the Chosen People who had remained faithful to God, and who had become Christians, escaped before the destructive siege!
Brothers and Sisters, we can never be God. We can only attempt to “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” with God’s grace through Jesus. However, we can survive all the harmful machinations of the world by living the life that St. Paul describes. We can dispel anxiety during these troubled times, by acquiring the peace of God which surpasses our human understanding. This peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
The way to bring this about is through prayer and petition. We make our requests to our heavenly Father. And we look to model those around us who are true and authentic; who are honorable, just and pure; lovely in their hearts and souls; and have a real graciousness about themselves and in their interactions with others. These are the ones we can imitate to become all that God wants us to be. So, let us pray, today, that we can attain God’s peace by living this way – the way of Jesus himself!
Amen.
October 4, 2020 Msgr. Russell G. Terra
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
This Superlative Sanctuary Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It is also a place to read, post and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for your fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure you’re addressing the issue only, and not trying to confront the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name calling, ridicule, insults, baiting and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
Let’s not give the Internet Censors a reason to shut down this intellectual haven that Wolf has created for us.
The Storm is upon us. Please remember to Pray for our President.
AND WHAT TIME IS IT? TIME TO DRAIN THE SWAMP!!!
It’s time to replace a failed and CORRUPT political establishment with a new government controlled by you, the American People. ~ Candidate Donald J. Trump
Also remember Wheatie’s Rules:
No food fights.
No running with scissors.
If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.
And,
On this day and every day –
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, you can find something here that will build you up a little . . . give you a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
What does the Bible mean that we are not to judge others?
Jesus’ command not to judge others could be the most widely quoted of His sayings, even though it is almost invariably quoted in complete disregard of its context. Here is Jesus’ statement: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). Many people use this verse in an attempt to silence their critics, interpreting Jesus’ meaning as “You don’t have the right to tell me I’m wrong.” Taken in isolation, Jesus’ command “Do not judge” does indeed seem to preclude all negative assessments. However, there is much more to the passage than those three words.
The Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean we cannot show discernment. Immediately after Jesus says, “Do not judge,” He says, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs” (Matthew 7:6). A little later in the same sermon, He says, “Watch out for false prophets. . . . By their fruit you will recognize them” (verses 15–16). How are we to discern who are the “dogs” and “pigs” and “false prophets” unless we have the ability to make a judgment call on doctrines and deeds? Jesus is giving us permission to tell right from wrong.
Also, the Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean all actions are equally moral or that truth is relative. The Bible clearly teaches that truth is objective, eternal, and inseparable from God’s character. Anything that contradicts the truth is a lie—but, of course, to call something a “lie” is to pass judgment. To call adultery or murder a sin is likewise to pass judgment—but it’s also to agree with God. When Jesus said not to judge others, He did not mean that no one can identify sin for what it is, based on God’s definition of sin.
And the Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean there should be no mechanism for dealing with sin. The Bible has a whole book entitled Judges. The judges in the Old Testament were raised up by God Himself (Judges 2:18). The modern judicial system, including its judges, is a necessary part of society. In saying, “Do not judge,” Jesus was not saying, “Anything goes.”
Elsewhere, Jesus gives a direct command to judge: “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly” (John 7:24). Here we have a clue as to the right type of judgment versus the wrong type. Taking this verse and some others, we can put together a description of the sinful type of judgment:
Superficial judgment is wrong. Passing judgment on someone based on appearances is sinful (John 7:24). It is foolish to jump to conclusions before investigating the facts (Proverbs 18:13). Simon the Pharisee passed judgment on a woman based on her appearance and reputation, but he could not see that the woman had been forgiven; Simon thus drew Jesus’ rebuke for his unrighteous judgment (Luke 7:36–50).
Hypocritical judgment is wrong. Jesus’ command not to judge others in Matthew 7:1 is preceded by comparisons to hypocrites (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16) and followed by a warning against hypocrisy (Matthew 7:3–5). When we point out the sin of others while we ourselves commit the same sin, we condemn ourselves (Romans 2:1).
Harsh, unforgiving judgment is wrong. We are “always to be gentle toward everyone” (Titus 3:2). It is the merciful who will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7), and, as Jesus warned, “In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2).
Self-righteous judgment is wrong. We are called to humility, and “God opposes the proud” (James 4:6). The Pharisee in Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector was confident in his own righteousness and from that proud position judged the publican; however, God sees the heart and refused to forgive the Pharisee’s sin (Luke 18:9–14).
Untrue judgment is wrong. The Bible clearly forbids bearing false witness (Proverbs 19:5). “Slander no one” (Titus 3:2).
Christians are often accused of “judging” or intolerance when they speak out against sin. But opposing sin is not wrong. Holding aloft the standard of righteousness naturally defines unrighteousness and draws the slings and arrows of those who choose sin over godliness. John the Baptist incurred the ire of Herodias when he spoke out against her adultery with Herod (Mark 6:18–19). She eventually silenced John, but she could not silence the truth (Isaiah 40:8).
Believers are warned against judging others unfairly or unrighteously, but Jesus commends “right judgment” (John 7:24, ESV). We are to be discerning (Colossians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). We are to preach the whole counsel of God, including the Bible’s teaching on sin (Acts 20:27; 2 Timothy 4:2). We are to gently confront erring brothers or sisters in Christ (Galatians 6:1). We are to practice church discipline (Matthew 18:15–17). We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
