Archive for February, 2016

Election to Serve – Delicately (Precious in His Sight–Forever and For ever Continuing)

Thursday, February 25th, 2016

In most of our familial situations, the child of man is the student of woman. That is a truth which will endure, across all time. The associated principle is also broadly true: the daughter of woman is the responsibility of man. This can be an uncomfortable realization for a woman that is pushing to be an alpha type of societal agent. We say that, the lack of comfort is not necessary. Please note: we do not say that an alpha type expression by woman should never be done. Here, these women did that . . .

Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,

As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.

And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?

(Jeremiah 44:15-19)

You ask: isn’t there a more positive example that you can use? Yes, I could; but, I would have to rely on external history. For instance; in history, we see Joan of arc. It is true that, someone decided that she was worthy of almost-apostolic recognition. However, that decision of external historians is not so impressive, for me. More impressive are the references to women of the Bible.

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– Explore Election to Serve – Delicately: Part Fourteen –

kingdom of man (Religion – Focused)

Monday, February 15th, 2016

In the discussion of the span of, responsibility as it passes across the history of man, we referred to another level of responsibility: God’s Responsibility. This level is superior to man, and to the entire history of the kingdom of man–including that portion known as, the future.

We must say at the outset: this topic is, generally, uncomfortable for people to include in their meditations. We know that; it is somewhat difficult, for us to try to think of God as having limitations (gasp). Well . . . we are pulling you into that area of discomfort.

To begin, we say this:  we are persuaded that; surely, God invoked His Responsibility in the following event.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

(Genesis 1:1-3)

At that time, as God expressed His Productivity; thereby, He became Responsible for ensuring the Integrity of the new Creation–in its forward flow, through time. As we consider God’s Integrity, there is no need to feel uncomfortable about God’s Responsibility. The LORD God imposed Responsibility upon His Self-Spirit. This was done in that Pattern of Behavior in which God moved, here.

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– Explore kingdom of man: Part Seventeen –

Election to Serve – Delicately (The Heart of Woman)

Thursday, February 4th, 2016

As I read that Scripture, above, I had this contemporary thought: David was asking for welfare. In the modern day, this could be a reason to criticize him, for his lack of preparation. In this present day, responses such as that of Nabal are often accepted as being appropriate; especially, as far as his answer to the request for sustenance, to give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be. David could have been engaging in welfare fraud; couldn’t he? Nabal had a right–maybe even, a responsibility–to properly manage the distribution of his assets; didn’t he? Actually, he did; and, most definitely, his responsible behavior needed to include this consideration.

If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.

For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

(Deuteronomy 15:7-11)

As you study situations in life, such as this one; be sure to feel the Spirit. In Scripture, the Spirit identifies the spirit of the matter . . . as openly presented in lead-in statements about the environment and the characters that are in it. As you analyze your present situation, the Sprit will feed impressions to your spirit. For instance, the Spirit may feed you this impression of someone: the man was churlish and evil in his doings. This may come through, to your spirit, as a feed from your mind, along with the following possibility: if a person is too comparative about their own achievement, or boastful about their present lifestyle (which God can modify, in an instant); then, you may be witnessing this coming, life correction in waiting.

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– Explore Election to Serve – Delicately: Part Thirteen –