Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs; singing and making melody with your heart to the LORD. (Ephesians 5:19)
Burton Coffman’s Commentary on Ephesians 5:19 is available in Commentaries Assorted Chapters.
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The Quiet Life, a guest article from Wayne Burger, is available in Publications.
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My article, How Long Were the Days of Creation?, is now available in Publications On Christian Evidences.
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My commentary for Psalm 119:25-32, which relates to the Hebrew letter Daleth, I Am Laid Low in the Dust, is available in Devotions from Psalm 119, in Commentaries.
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My outline of The Book of Haggai is now available in Bible Outlines.
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My commentary for Psalm 86, Bow Down Thine Ear, O LORD, is available in Devotions from Psalms, in Commentaries.
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My outline of The Book of Zephaniah is now available in Bible Outlines.
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My commentary #1 on Proverbs, Introduction Part 1, is available in Studies in the book of Proverbs in Commentaries.
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Every time a catastrophe occurs, gloom & doomsday predictors turn to Scripture to justify their glum attitude. Scriptures are twisted beyond recognition as predicted in 2 Peter 3:14-18. All Old Testament Prophecies about Jesus Christ were fulfilled in the 1st Century, as Peter said: “Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days” (Acts 3:24). Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem that occurred in A.D. 70 as being preceded by “signs” (Matthew 24:1-35). But Jesus said nothing is known to predict His Second Coming when He said: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). He gave five illustrations to prove “no one knows” (Matthew 24:37-25:30). Nothing in Scripture, nor in world events, is a “sign” of the end! - Words of Wisdom, March 16, 2020
My commentary for Proverbs 28:4, Beware of the Law of the Land, is available as section #190 in Studies in the Book of Proverbs, in Commentaries. I have a complete commentary for Proverbs here.
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My Sermon Chart on Fruits of a Godless People is available in Sermon Charts.
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My commentary on Psalm 113 is now available in Devotions from Psalms.
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My outline of The Book of Micah is now available in Bible Outlines.
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My outline of The Book of Jonah is now available in Bible Outlines.
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My outline of The Book of Obadiah is now available in Bible Outlines.
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Please find my answer to the question, “What can the Gospel do with so much turmoil and trouble unraveling lives?” in Publications> Bible Articles for the Gospel Gleaner, Why Is Nothing Secure?
Spoiler Alert: There is no security without GOD.
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Question: Why Is there so much to fear?
Answer:
ANSWER: Because the wicked are in charge of the media which promotes it!
Proverbs 10:24-25: “The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.”
Wicked people have more reason to live in fear because they do not honor God’s wisdom in their lives; they naturally assume others also live as they do. Therefore they cannot assume anyone else lives honorably. Other Proverbs show this, as well:
Proverbs 28:1:“The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion;”
Proverbs 29:25:“The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.”
#1. Trust in God
A guilty conscience makes one afraid, but one who “trusts in the LORD” feels “safe” and “bold as a lion.”
Governments who fear their own citizens will govern badly and fail. Corporations who fear honest competition will resort to dishonorable methods and lose their appeal.
#2. Fear of God
The Word of God, and Book of Proverbs in particular, is full of references to “the fear of the LORD,” using “fear” meaning “awe and respect” of God. “The fear of man,” however, brings its own “snare.” The Psalmist said in Psalm 118:6:
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Jesus Christ taught: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
This was echoed in Hebrews 13:6:“So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”
Propaganda merchants drum home the doctrine of “Fear” of nearly everything and everyone. Harlotwood spews this doctrine in its movies. People who live in fear have difficulty having love, because
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
#3. Worthy of death
Then there are people whose conscience makes them flee for good reason: they have done something worthy of death. Proverbs 28:17:
“A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him.”
This follows God’s principle of capital punishment in Genesis 9:6:
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.”
God’s Law given through Moses continued this relationship in Numbers 35:33:
“So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.”
Those who are “burdened with bloodshed” would include abortionists, other murderers, inciters of riots, racial hatred propagators, and any other hateful person who prompts violent deaths. Their consciences should disturb them and make them run for cover and hide from right-thinking people, for murder victims must be vindicated by the death of their murderers.
#4. Everlasting foundation
Contrast this with the “desire of the righteous” who will be rewarded in this life and the life to come. After the “whirlwind” (tornado) of judgment has passed over the land, the “wicked” will have lost all they live for, while the “righteous” will have their honorable “everlasting foundation” upon which to rebuild their lives.
--jjttjii, January 12, 2020
Question: “What can Christians do when storm destruction ocurs?”
Reply: The church of Christ began on the Pentecost after Jesus was raised from the dead (Acts 2:22-47). In a short time, Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 6-7), and “At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 8:1). Sometime later, “Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:1-2). He seized Peter to kill after “the Days of Unleavened Bread” (Acts 12:4). “Peter was therefore kept in prison but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5). Notice:
1) In the midst of that turbulence of persecution and death, the church “gathered together” to pray (Acts 12:12) and did what they could: ask God for help;
2) The church of Christ did NOT take to the streets to demonstrate against the obvious injustice, NOR resort to violent retaliation;
3) The church of Christ did NOT enlist the assistance, prayers, or sacrifices of unbelieving Jews, idolaters, or other “religious” people, because only “priests” (a.k.a. Christians) can offer proper sacrifice before God (1 Peter 2:1-5);
4) When tragic events occur, sometimes the best, and only, thing the church can do at the time is gather and pray! Then, when opportunities to do more reveal themselves, arise and help! Even the world faces hurt with an appeal to “gather together” for encouragement, while the church of Christ appeals directly to God. “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). In Heaven, “the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand” (Revelation 8:4).
5) On God’s earth, things happen to all alike, both good and evil. There are blessings, as Jesus said: "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven: for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). There will be death: “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). There is destruction: “The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation” (Proverbs 10:24-25). “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (1 John 3:7). The difference is, the righteous have Bible faith to explain it all! ---jtpll
QUESTION: Why does it seem that society is out of control?
REPLY: Because the media focuses almost entirely on the “lawless,” or those who are “out of control!
1. The “lawless” are in charge because the “lawful” have not insisted otherwise! “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, froma good conscience, and fromsincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for thelawless and insubordinate, for theungodly and for sinners, for theunholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust”(1 Timothy 1:5-11). The people who want to live in violation of any restriction from God’s control are allowed to direct :government leadership and legislation, church policies, entertainment values, and educational institutions. The Media microscopekeeps the focus on these, as if they are the norm, while completely ignoring the multitude who are striving to live lawfully!
2. Those who crucified Jesus Christ were ignoring:(1)Moses’ Jewish Law on guilt:"One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established” (Deuteronomy 19:15). With Jesus, “the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none” (Matthew 26:59-60); (2)Roman Law:“Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them, ‘You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Himin your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him’” (Luke 23:13-15). Neither Religious nor Civil “courts” could condemn Jesus Christ! That’s why, Peter and the Apostles concluded: "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; "whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it”(Acts 2:22-24). By Jesus’ resurrection, God declared forevermore His total opposition to the “lawless!”
3. God has kept the door open, however, for the “lawless” to become “lawful.”“Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself Hisown special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). The lawless were commanded: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). In Sodom, Lot “was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)” (2 Peter 2:7-8). The “righteous soul” must never accept the “lawless” as if they were right! “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). -----JTPII
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