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on: May 24, 2017, 04:09:38 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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The Patriot Post - Alexander's Column 5-24-2017
From The Federalist Patriot
Free Email Subscription
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Fair Skies and Tailwinds, GBU Colonel Thorsness
By Mark Alexander
May 24, 2017
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” —John 15:12-14
Every year during the week leading up to our annual solemn observance of Memorial Day, I draft a tribute column to an American Patriot who has departed this life since the previous Memorial Day. I write about someone I have known personally, but it’s always difficult to choose to whom I will devote these words because we lose many great Patriots every year.
Most depart with little or no fanfare — just the undying respect from generations who honor their sacrifice and their steadfast commitment “to Support and Defend1” our Constitution for this generation and the next.
In one sense, there is joy in writing this tribute because it celebrates the life of a great American. In another sense, there is grief because of the finality it represents.
Earlier this month, I received news of the passing of Medal of Honor2 recipient Col. Leo K. Thorsness (USAF Ret.), who departed this life at age 85.
His Medal Citation3 notes Leo’s valorous actions over Vietnam on 19 April 1967. Eleven days later, he was shot down and captured, becoming a POW from 1967-1973.
Leo, a past president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, was a lifelong faithful Patriot. He was a genuine hero, a humble conservative advocate for family, faith and freedom, and a strong supporter of our Medal of Honor Heritage Center4 in Chattanooga, where the first Medals were awarded5 to members of Andrews' Raiders for their actions in 1862.
There have been 3,515 Medals of Honor awarded since, for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty,” the vast majority awarded posthumously after our nation’s entry into WWII. With Leo’s passing, there are now just 74 living recipients.
Col. Thorsness was the author of “Surviving Hell,” a remarkable testament to all Vietnam POWs and the brutality of their incarceration. His years as a captive overlapped with those of several other friends, including a mentor, Roger Ingvalson6.
He also wrote “Mike’s Flag7,” the preface to our children’s book, “I’m Your Flag”:
What do you think of when you see a little American flag in front of a grave marker? Let me tell you a story about one little flag. As a fighter pilot on my 93rd mission over North Vietnam, my F-105 was hit by an air-to-air missile and my Electronic Warfare Officer Harold Johnson and I, were forced to eject. After unsuccessful rescue attempts, we were captured by enemy forces and imprisoned in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” for the next six years.
One day in our sixth year of imprisonment, a young Navy pilot named Mike Christian8 found a piece of cloth in a gutter. After we collected some other small rags, he worked secretly at night to piece them together into a flag. He made red from ground-up roof tiles and blue from tiny amounts of ink, then used rice glue to paste the colors onto the rags. Using thread from his blanket and a homemade bamboo needle, he sewed the pieces together, adding white fragments for stars.
One morning he whispered from the back of our cell, “Hey gang, look here,” and proudly held up that tattered American flag, waving it as if in a breeze. We all snapped to attention and saluted — with tears in our eyes.
A week later, the guards were searching our cells and found Mike’s flag. That night they pulled him out of the cell and, for his simple gesture of patriotism, they tortured him. At daylight they pushed what was left of Mike back through the cell door.
Today, whenever I see our flag, I think of Mike and the morning he first waved that tattered emblem of our great nation. It was then, thousands of miles from home, imprisoned by a brutal enemy, that he courageously demonstrated the liberty it represents, and that is what I see in every American flag.
(I encourage you to obtain copies of “I’m Your Flag9” for elementary school children in your family or community.)
The 19th century libertarian philosopher John Stuart Mill, in his essay “The Contest In America,” wrote, “War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse. A man who has nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance at being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.”
Col. Thorsness epitomized the antithesis of those thankless “miserable creatures,” whom we find in abundance today among leftist cadres10 on college and university campuses, in the leftist halls11 of the Capitol building and in the slums of their leftist media echo chambers12.
Leo often signed his letters and books, “When facing fear and tough times, Psalm 23:4.” (Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.)
He then added, “G.B.U. Tailwinds.”
When a POW, Leo noted, “Communication was very important to us. We had worked out a code and would tap out ‘GBU’ for God bless you.”
Fellow POW John McCain noted that Leo endured “unspeakable pain and suffering because of his steadfast adherence to our code of conduct, but Leo never let this experience break his spirit, and [he] inspired the rest of us with his patriotism, perseverance and hope that we would someday be free.”
Indeed, he was an inspiration to countless others in the years which followed, including this fellow Patriot.
Col. Thorsness is survived by his devoted wife and lifelong sweetheart, Gaylee, their daughter Dawn and two grandchildren. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Clear skies and tailwinds, Colonel.
On Memorial Day, millions of American Patriots13 will set aside time to honor all those fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen who have refreshed the Tree of Liberty with their blood, indeed with their lives, so that we might remain free.
Since the opening salvos of the American Revolution, tens of millions of our fellow Americans have served honorably in our Armed Forces, with 1.4 million wounded during their service. But Memorial Day is about a special cohort of American Patriots — the nearly 1.2 million who have paid the ultimate price in defense of Liberty. Their numbers, of course, offer no reckoning of the inestimable value of their service or the sacrifice borne by their families, but we do know that the value of Liberty extended to their posterity — to us — is priceless.
My family, descended from generations of Patriots beginning with East Tennessee Revolutionary War militiamen in 1780, will honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s fallen warriors by offering prayer in thanksgiving for the legacy of Liberty they have bequeathed to us, and by participating in respectful commemorations.
For the fallen, we are certain of that which is noted on all Marine Corps Honorable Discharge orders: “Fideli Certa Merces” — to the Faithful, there is Certain Reward.
For additional information on this Day of Honor, including flag protocols and etiquette, visit our Memorial Day page14.
For additional inspiration, visit the following links:
Ronald Reagan’s15 “Freedom Is Not Free16” remarks
John Williams' “Hymn to the Fallen17”
Listen to Taps18
Listen to Amazing Grace and a 21-Gun Salute19
Listen to Charlie Daniels' Star Spangled Banner20
Finally, I encourage you to support the Medal of Honor Heritage Center, now in the process of establishing a permanent visitor center honoring the first recipients of the Medal of Honor, and all who have received it since. For more information on the Center, please contact the Patriot Foundation Trust Administrator21 or make a donation22. Please make checks payable to Patriot Foundation Trust, PO Box 507, Chattanooga, TN 37401-0507 and note MoHHC on the memo line.
Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Pro Deo et Libertate — 1776 |
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on: May 24, 2017, 01:26:40 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society
Free Email Subscription
For Questions Or Comments: berean@execpc.com
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He Shall Reign
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
For 2500 years “death reigned from Adam to Moses”(Rom. 5:14).
During this period of history it was demonstrated that “death passed upon all men,” not because the Law of Moses had condemned them to death, but simply because they were the offspring of fallen Adam, and depraved by nature. Entirely apart from the Law, “sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (Jas. 1:15). Thus “death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had NOT sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression.”
For 1500 years, under the law, “sin… reigned unto death”(Rom. 5:20,21).
Sin had surely risen to its height during Paul’s early years. Christ had been crucified and even after His resurrection His enemies had stood by that awful deed. Israel had joined the Gentiles in declaring war on God and His anointed Son (Psa. 2:1-3) and Saul of Tarsus was the leader of the revolt. It was no longer merely a matter of sin; it was now rebellion.
For 1900 years, “grace [has] reigned, through righteousness,unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 5:21).
Thus we are now living under the reign of grace. As “DEATH REIGNED from Adam to Moses” (Rom. 5:14); as SIN REIGNED “unto death” after “the Law entered” (Vers. 20,21), so now grace abounds, THAT GRACE MIGHT REIGN “through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Vers. 20,21).
For 1000 years the Lord Jesus Christ will reign upon this earth (Rev. 20:1-6), as King over Israel and the nations.
The kingdom will then be delivered over to the Father (I Cor. 15:24-28.).
For all eternity the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will reign in the person of Christ (Rom. 11:36; Eph. 1:10).
Note: From Adam to the present day God has always been “on the throne”, but rather than ruling directly, has overruled in the affairs of men. |
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on: May 24, 2017, 01:24:40 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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From Grace Gems:
Very Old - But Beautiful and Timeless Treasures.
Everything is FREE and Public Domain.
http://www.gracegems.org/19/literature.htm
___________________________________________ Sanctifying grace, as well as pardoning mercy!
("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)
"You shall call His name Jesus--for He shall save His people from their sins!" Matthew 1:21
Jesus! Precious name, how sweet it is! How well it befits Him who bears it--and how glorious is the salvation which He accomplishes!
Misery is the natural consequence of sin. Everything that God enjoins is good--and everything that He forbids is evil. Jesus saves His people from their sins--and so saves them from misery. He died to atone for transgressions. He ever lives to save His people from the power and practice of sin--yes, and eventually from the very presence of sin.
My soul, let your whole trust be in Jesus, not only for deliverance from guilt and its consequences--but from sin in its manifold workings. You are powerless against your inward corruptions--but Jesus is "mighty to save." He can subdue your iniquities. Trust Him then, for sanctifying grace, as well as pardoning mercy!
Dwell much on all He did and suffered for you. In His agony in the garden of Gethsemane, and on the cross at Calvary--see something of the exceeding sinfulness of your sins, from which He died to save you.
"He will subdue our iniquities--and cast all our sins into the depths of the sea!" Micah 7:19
Jesus' blood, for sinners spilt,
Shows my sin in all its guilt.
Ah, my soul, He bore your load,
You have slain the Lamb of God!
Farewell, world--your gold is dross!
Now I see the bleeding cross!
Jesus died to set me free,
From the law, and sin, and thee!
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4
on: May 24, 2017, 01:22:29 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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The Patriot Post Digest 5-24-2017
From The Federalist Patriot
Free Email Subscription
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This would leave the ObamaCare marketplaces in limbo until August, allowing Democrats time to find a way to pin the law’s ultimate failure on Republicans while insurance companies continue to extort the federal government.
It’s hard to find sympathy for the insurance companies in this matter. They claim a need for certainty on the payments to continue going forward in the exchanges in 2018, yet they didn’t have certainty going into 2017. With the House lawsuit, Obama’s leaving office, and no guidance from either of his potential replacements on the campaign trail in 2016, there was no way for the insurance providers to know that they would continue to receive the payouts. Perhaps they were gambling that Hillary Clinton would win the election and continue milking the American taxpayer like her predecessor. Worse, perhaps the insurance industry colluded to blackmail the incoming president into continuing the payments so they could maintain the status quo.
This may seem like a chaotic situation, but it was predicted years ago. The Democrats, by design, created a law that would eventually force the government to completely take over health care and lead to a single-payer system. ObamaCare was never going to insure everyone and keep premiums low at the same time; the insurance market just doesn’t work that way. The only way everyone could be covered was if the market was blown up and the government stepped in and took over wholesale.
Whatever the outcome, the Trump administration and the GOP Congress probably shouldn’t count on this episode working out for them politically. Sure, nobody likes ObamaCare, and it has failed continuously and completely to live up to its expectations. But Trump and the Republicans will be the ones who pay the price if it collapses on their watch.
That isn’t fair considering the law was passed without a single GOP vote, and given that Republicans have sought to repeal and replace it since it was passed. But Trump’s other mounting political problems have drained his already meager political capital. His popularity is low. And the news media is in the tank for the Democrats, so they’ll push whatever narrative Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi desire.
If Trump continues the subsidies unilaterally, he will lose his populist edge with his supporters. If he turns off the spigot, he’ll be blamed for rising premiums and hammered for leaving people dying in the streets without insurance. It’s a catch-22.
Well played, Democrats. Well played.
MORE ANALYSIS FROM THE PATRIOT POST
California Dreamin' — Socialized Medicine Slams Into Reality23 — A proposal for single-payer health care in the Golden State would take all of its gold and then some.
Trump’s Budget Would Slash EPA Funding24 — The bloated agency could be cut down to size, while being refocused on its original intent. What a concept.
Manchester Morons United25 — A couple of leftists provide all the wrong perspective about the gruesome atrocity in Great Britain Monday.
BEST OF RIGHT OPINION
Michelle Malkin: The Forgotten Slaughters of the Innocents26
Walter Williams: How to Live in Peace27
Paul Kengor: Two Presidents and Two Popes28
For more, visit Right Opinion29.
OPINION IN BRIEF
Walter Williams: “Free market allocation is conflict-reducing, whereas government allocation enhances the potential for conflict. But I’m all too afraid that most Americans want to be able to impose their preferences on others. Their vision doesn’t differ from one that says, ‘I don’t want my children to say morning prayers, and I’m going to force you to live by my preferences.’ The issue of prayers in school is just a minor example of people’s taste for tyranny. Think of the conflict that would arise if the government decreed that factories will produce either double-breasted or single-breasted suits or that there will be either Cadillacs or Mercedes-Benzes built or that there will be either Apple computers or PCs built. Can you imagine how otherwise-peaceable people would be forced into conflict with one another? Government allocation is mostly a zero-sum game, in which one person’s win necessarily means another person’s loss. The great ignored and overlooked feature of market allocation is that it is what game theorists call a positive-sum game. In positive-sum games, you get what you want, say an Apple computer, and I get what I want — a PC, in this case. My win does not come at your expense, and your win doesn’t come at my expense. And just as importantly, we can be friends.”
SHORT CUTS
Insight: “I want to make one thing clear. This war against our Constitution is not being fought way off in Madagascar or in Mandalay. It is being fought here — in our schools, our colleges, our churches, our women’s clubs. It is being fought with our money, channeled through the State Department. It is being fought twenty-four hours a day — while we remain asleep.” —William Jenner (1908-1985)
For the record: “Leaks have … played a very significant, negative role relative to our national security. The release of information not only undermines confidence in our allies about our ability to maintain secure information that we share with them; it jeopardizes sources and methods that are invaluable to our ability to find out what’s going on and what those threats are. Lives are at stake in many instances and leaks jeopardize those lives.” —Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats
Braying Jackass: “This administration is mounting an onslaught against the needs of children, people with disabilities, women and seniors.” —Hillary Clinton, who describes the Trump budget as “an unimaginable level of cruelty”
Non Compos Mentis: “Iranians show the world how it’s done.” —Jane Sanders praising Iran’s 70% voter turnout, but missing the completely un-democratic nature of the system
D'oh! “To have a president say, if he did, to the director of the FBI, or the DNI, the Director of National Intelligence, or the NRA person that — um, uh, that they should not go forward, it raises questions that need to be answered in a facts and law way, and not hearsay.” —Nancy Pelosi
And last… “[Jihadis] kill us any way possible. They run us down in our streets. They gun down or blow up our children enjoying the innocence of young life. They stab and hack and behead. We weep. Flowers pile up at the scenes of the carnage. Songs are sung. The Islamism apologists leap into action. We are warned not to draw any broad conclusions. Politicians tell us there is little that can be done. What they mean is there is little that they have the courage to do.” —Gary Bauer
Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Managing Editor Nate Jackson
Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform — Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen — standing in harm’s way in defense of Liberty, and for their families. |
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5
on: May 24, 2017, 01:21:27 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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The Patriot Post Digest 5-24-2017
From The Federalist Patriot
Free Email Subscription
________________________________________
Mid-Day Digest
May 24, 2017
IN TODAY’S EDITION
The media narrative on Trump’s budget: It hurts the poor.
The radical Islamist terror threat in Great Britain continues to escalate.
ObamaCare’s subsidies for insurance companies present a catch 22.
Daily Features: Top Headlines, Cartoons, Columnists and Short Cuts.
THE FOUNDATION
“The government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general.” —James Madison
TOP RIGHT HOOKS
MSM: Trump Robs the Poor1
“Trump’s $3.6 Trillion Budget Cuts Hit His Supporters Hard,” blares the Bloomberg headline2. The subject, is of course, President Donald Trump’s leaner budget proposal3 released Tuesday morning. The Bloomberg story begins by fleshing out the headline: “President Donald Trump’s first full budget would dramatically reduce the U.S. government’s role in society, hitting hard many of the rural, working-poor supporters who propelled him into office as he cuts through the safety net for the poor and disabled, impacting farming communities and inner cities alike.” Why would he, as The Washington Post put it so pathetically, release a “budget that would bolster the rich, [and] remove benefits from the poor”?
The Left has always engaged in craven class warfare, pitting the poor against the rich as if the rich have “stolen” from them. And the Leftmedia’s objective with these supposedly alarming stories is to get Trump’s own supporters questioning their man. Indeed, leftists are always astounded when voters don’t vote for the guy promising them the most goodies, but rather a responsible government.
They can’t fathom such civic responsibility because their statist philosophy is essentially based upon the musings of socialist George Bernard Shaw, who once cynically observed, “A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.” Likewise, another old saying applies: “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.”
Lost upon these government first-last-and-always statists is that Trump’s real goal is to grow the economy with tax reform, not expand the government dole. Those currently receiving benefits will be able to help themselves once government gets out of the way, whereas the Leftmedia would have people believe Trump’s plan is to push them to the brink of starvation.
As Benjamin Franklin once said, “I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it.”
And as the Constitution’s author, James Madison, explained, “Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.” Leftists would do well to learn that lesson, and quit demanding that every American always vote for the slick politician who promises the most generous benefits.
The Threat to Britain Keeps Escalating4
British Prime Minister Theresa May addressed her nation on Tuesday and announced that she was raising the terrorism threat level from “severe” to “critical.” She explained that her decision was based on information from the intelligence community regarding knowledge of a potential impending attack.
As is usually the case with these atrocities, it has become increasing clear that the jihadi responsible for this latest suicide bombing attack in Manchester was not a “lone wolf” but a “known wolf” acting according to the worldwide hateful ideology of radical Islam. UK authorities are currently tracking 3,500 of these radical Islamist “known wolves” — this in a country whose population is 65 million. Belgium, a country of only 12 million, is currently tracking at about 18,000. Why the significant discrepancy in ratios? One answer may be found in the different immigration and border polices between the two nations, with Belgium having one of the laxest in Europe.
The sad and frustrating thing is that Europe has become increasingly tolerant of these terror attacks, or at least their leaders have. One wonders how devastating an attack would have to be to prompt decisive action to eradicate the threat posed by radical Islam. Across Europe this year alone 45 have been murdered and hundreds have been injured by terrorist attacks. While the people suffer, their leaders continue to placate an ideology predicated on hatred.
Top Headlines5
Pope Francis and Donald Trump meet at the Vatican. (The New York Times6)
WH budget director: Obama administration spent too much on climate change “and not very efficiently.” (CNS News7)
FISA court: Obama’s NSA record of spying. (Circa8.)
CIA sought FBI probe into Russian targeting of Trump campaign. (The Washington Free Beacon9)
Fox News retracts story that fanned conspiracy theories of DNC staffer Seth Rich’s murder. (Washington Examiner10)
Theresa May upgrades terrorist threat level to “critical” and puts soldiers on streets. (UK Independent11)
The 22-year-old Brit who stopped the global cyberattack is donating his $10,000 reward to charity. (Business Insider12)
The European Union plans to censor hate speech on social media. (Reason13)
IRS official tells Congress the agency needs more money to improve customer service. (The Washington Times14)
Hump Day Humor: Clinton receives 400,000 honorary degrees for college commencement speech. (The Onion15)
+Policy: The world is too comfortable with terror. (National Review16)
+Policy: Trump’s no-apology tour. (Washington Times17)
For more, visit Patriot Headline Report18.
FEATURED RIGHT ANALYSIS
The Health Care Catch 2219
By Lewis Morris
The ObamaCare health insurance exchanges are teetering on the brink of collapse as the Trump administration tries to decide whether and how to continue subsidy payments to insurance providers.
You may remember how the House of Representatives brought a lawsuit20 against the Obama administration over Barack Obama’s continued subsidy payouts to the insurance industry to stem rising premiums. The payouts were illegal, having not been authorized by Congress or allocated as part of the original ObamaCare law. Of course, that didn’t stop the former president from doing everything beyond his power to keep his signature law afloat.
When Donald Trump came into office, he vowed to end the payouts. This was part of his larger plan to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with a better health care law. That better law has yet to materialize, but the problem of the insurance payouts remains.
Without the continued, and illegal, government largesse, health insurance companies are claiming that they will either have to leave the exchanges entirely21 or significantly jack up premiums for 2018. Either move will send the health insurance market into a tailspin. Whatever decision is made, American consumers will be left holding the bag.
Clearly, then, the Trump administration is hard pressed to make a decision. Put taxpayers on the hook for continuing the subsidies and quietly endorse Obama’s actions and his failed law, or cancel the subsidies and watch premiums skyrocket even further. So far, Trump has done neither, opting to buy time22 by requesting that the federal courts hold off on their final judgment for another 90 days. |
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6
on: May 24, 2017, 08:29:50 AM
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Started by Soldier4Christ - Last post by Soldier4Christ
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Sweet-Smelling Sacrifice
“I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18)
The reference in this text goes back to the “sweet savour” that God smelled when Noah offered his initial sacrifice after disembarking from the year-long Flood. That offering triggered a promise from God that He would never again curse the earth or destroy every living thing with water, as the Flood had done. Furthermore, the Lord promised to maintain the seasons and functions of the earth until the end (Genesis 8:20-21).
Later, Moses would bring the Lord’s instructions for those laws of Israel that would keep the nation separate from the rest of the world and constantly remind them of the very personal relationship that the Creator of all things was establishing with them. Some of the sacrifices would be an “offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD” (Numbers 15:3).
It is interesting to note that the twice-born are “unto God a sweet savour of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15). Our very existence as His children smells good to our heavenly Father! We are also compared to living stones that are being built into a spiritual house that is “to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). Our bodies are to be “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1) that render the “sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15), while God Himself is making us “perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 13:21). HMM III
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on: May 23, 2017, 01:25:24 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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More Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society
Free Email Subscription
For Questions Or Comments: berean@execpc.com
_______________________________________________
No Other Doctrine But Right Division
by Pastor John Fredericksen
In 1970, a woman by the name of Rose heard the gospel of God’s grace and trusted Christ as her Savior. Soon after she was introduced to a host of dispensational literature. She was thrilled to see the difference between Israel and the Body of Christ, being under the law as opposed to being under grace. She became a well-grounded Grace believer, and even lead a cousin by the name of Maria into the Grace message. Eventually Rose began to attend a church that believed in miraculous Pentecostal signs. When her husband became ill, those in her church told her with certainty that her husband would be healed of his cancer. They knew this because they had “heard from God.” Even though she had known God’s Word rightly divided, exposure to such false doctrine had her so confused that she believed what they told her and became utterly dismayed when her husband died.
Maria became a well-grounded Grace believer also, through years of reading Grace literature and listening to Grace teachers on tape. She regularly listened to Christian radio. Several of the preachers on the radio, though nationally recognizable, had her utterly confused. Some taught that if you didn’t live in a certain way you would lose your salvation. Maria spent months in spiritual agony, until she made the decision that she would listen to “no other doctrine” than that of grace. Only then was her peace and joy and certainty of salvation restored.
On October 31, 1983 Korean airlines flight 007 departed from Anchorage, Alaska for a direct flight to Seoul, Korea. Unknown to the crew, the computer flight navigation system contained a one-and-a-half degree routing error. At the point of departure, the mistake was unnoticeable. One hundred miles out, the deviation was still too small to be detectable. But eventually the giant 747 strayed into Soviet airspace. Soviet radar picked up the error, and fighter jets scrambled to intercept. Over mainland Russia, the jets shot down flight 007, and all on board lost their lives. This tragedy occurred because of only being a little off course to begin with. Spiritually we can come to a tragic end ourselves by swerving off the course of doctrine that is consistent with the doctrine that Paul teaches in his letters.
Some will attend other churches and think that it will not have an ill effect upon them. Surely, they think, I can benefit from grace teaching and non-grace teaching. Others will read literature, attend conferences, fellowship in social church events and otherwise generally expose themselves to errant doctrine. But the effect will be the same as it was in Paul’s day. The Corinthians began to question the authority of the Apostle Paul. They became confused about the value of working for the Lord, and increasingly carnal in every way. Little by little they became willing to compromise sound doctrine and justify associations that they knew were wrong. Later they became antagonistic and hypercritical of him. The result was that Paul had to waste valuable time to confirm his ministry and sound doctrine before them. Unfortunately, some were unretrievable. In other words, some departed from the faith just like those that Paul warned Timothy about.
Paul warned Timothy in II Timothy 4:3,4 that “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (a story or teaching that is untrue). In the days just before the Rapture, Grace teaching will not be popular. Even those who know it will begin to think these truths are boring. They will want something new, exciting, entertaining, something that will draw crowds. They will want to soft pedal Grace truth, and have itching ears for other doctrines. Many will abandon a church that stands for sound Pauline doctrine to attend other “ministries” less worthy of their loyalty. I wonder if one of the arguments won’t be that what they are doing makes them feel closer to God. In Grace circles we are continually hearing this explanation from those who are listening to doctrines that are not compatible with what Paul teaches. Recently, one ministerial student, one college student, and one older mature gentleman commented that attending a non-grace church made them feel like they were really worshipping God for the first time. The real issue is how does God feel about what doctrine they are now standing for and with? Now we are reminded of the Scripture that tells us “unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48.). Those of us who have been privileged to understand God’s Word rightly divided must stand true to what is true, and to allow our emotions to soar with the joy of doing what is right.
Early in aviation history, pilots had to learn the lesson of inertia. When flying through clouds or fog which prevented them from seeing the horizon, they could not feel the plane’s wings beginning to bank right or left. Initially pilots followed the myth of instinct: They believed they could feel the turn of their plane, and many banked unknowingly into a spiral dive that ended in a crash. Pilot William Langewieshe writes, “instinct is worse than useless in the clouds.” The only way for pilots to fly through the clouds is to rely on instruments like the artificial horizon gauge. This is a gyroscoped line that stays level with the earth’s surface and unerringly indicates when the wings bank left or right. In the early days of this instrument, the biggest problem fliers had was relying on their feelings instead of this instrument. When it comes to spiritual matters, our feelings, experiences, or what is most popular is not a reliable guide for us to follow. Today God uses the instrument of His Word. It is unerring, if we are willing to rightly divide it and accept “no other doctrine” than what is taught by the inspired writings of the Apostle Paul. Stand true to Paul’s doctrines of grace. |
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on: May 23, 2017, 01:17:06 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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No Other Doctrine But Right Division
by Pastor John Fredericksen
For many years a family in a northern state lived on the banks of a river. As time passed, more children were added until the total was ten, plus the mother and the father. Each year as winter approached the father would gather the children to his side and, in no uncertain terms, explain that no one was to ever go out on the ice. One Monday, three of the children decided to walk across the frozen ice as a shortcut on their way to school. Some of the older children begged them not to, and reminded them of their Dad’s stern warning. “Nothing is going to happen to us. Just leave us alone. We’ll be just fine.” So off the three children went. Because the water was more shallow at first, the ice was quite thick. So, with a false sense of security, the three children began to run. Suddenly, the ice beneath their feet began to crack, and all three plunged into the icy water, never to be seen again. In a spiritual sense, many of God’s children are doing something very similar.
When the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy at Ephesus, he says, “I besought thee…that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (I Tim. 1:3). What one is taught doctrinally is of the utmost importance. That’s why Timothy was to be very careful himself to “hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me” (II Tim. 1:13), then “the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (II Tim. 2:2). If Timothy, and those teaching with him, were consistent about teaching no other doctrine other than what Paul taught, this sound doctrine would “save” (or deliver, I Tim. 4:16) all who heard it from spiritual error. But the opposite was also true. If anyone taught or exposed themselves to doctrines which were contrary to what Paul taught, it would have devastating effects. In other words, it would be like playing on thin ice.
What doctrines were so precious and important, that nothing else was to be listened to? No sermon or article can adequately articulate all of the important things that the Apostle Paul taught. However, let’s take a look at a number of things that we must hold dear to our understanding, and consistently demand from the teaching of anyone that we sit under. We learn from Romans 6:14 that we are “not under the law, but under grace.” The practical impact of this is that we do not try to implement portions of our Bible that were written exclusively to Israel. From Romans 11:13 we see that Paul is “the apostle of the Gentiles.” Peter, James, and John wrote Scripture, but confined their ministries to the nation Israel. Their writings dealt largely with the tribulation or millennial kingdom. Only Paul claims to be, or calls himself, the apostle of the Gentiles. He further urges that we are to “be followers of me” (I Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Phil. 3:17). So, someone who is sound in doctrine will recognize Paul’s letters as the exclusive “commandments of the Lord” for believers today (I Cor. 14:37).
Our apostle had no tolerance for anything other than the pure “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24; Gal. 1:6-12). He demanded that it always be taught in a crystal clear manner. That meant salvation being proclaimed as a gift of God’s grace, apart from man’s works, and received through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 2:8,9; Rom. 3:24-28.). Beyond this, Paul taught that he was not sent to baptize, “lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect” (I Cor. 1:17). Today there is only “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5 and that is the baptism of the Holy Spirit which places us into the Body of Christ at the moment of salvation (I Cor. 12:13). Once saved, we are eternally secure, because we are “sealed” with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit “unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30). Our security is not based on our performance but in the power of God. Paul also taught that miraculous signs such as “tongues” and “prophecies” have been “done away” with by the completion of Scripture (I Cor. 13:8-11). Therefore, any today who would claim special revelations from God, or miraculous powers, are deceivers. Today God uses His written Word to provide all that we need for our doctrine and daily walk.
Paul asked some of his converts “if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward“? (Eph. 3:2). They needed to understand that the days in which we are living, and the program we are under, are different from anything at any other time in history. In the preceding chapter, he explained that “in time past” Gentiles were not a part of God’s dealings. Israel was His exclusive focus of outreach, and Gentiles were rarely saved, and only then by becoming a Jewish proselyte. “But now” (Eph. 2:13) Gentiles “are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Paul summarizes the above doctrines and more, by telling Timothy that “rightly dividing the Word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15) is the only way to be approved unto God. It is not enough to teach about “Jesus,” nor to teach general Biblical principles for “Christian living.”
Parents are very wise to refuse to allow their children to attend other churches or youth groups, where these basic Pauline doctrines are not understood or consistently taught. This may not be easy or popular, but the Scripture warns us about exposure to wrong doctrine, and tells us to avoid it. If all believers would follow this practice they would not only be obedient to Scripture, but also avoid being “tossed to and fro…with every wind of doctrine.”
What happens when we listen to unsound doctrine? Three things can happen. One, we can become a spiritual “shipwreck” (I Tim. 1:19). Hymenaeus is an example. He had “swerved” and “turned aside” (I Tim. 1:6) from the sound doctrines of Paul, believing and teaching others that the resurrection had already past. Two, we can “overthrow the faith of some” (II Tim. 2:18.). This happened continually to the converts of the Apostle Paul. The Galatians were so “bewitched” that they no longer understood the gospel that saved them, and they desired to go back under the Mosaic Law. The believers at Colosse, though saved, ceased to properly esteem the Lord Jesus Christ as their “Head,” and began the practice of worshipping angels (Col. 2:18-19). Three, believers can “depart from the faith” (I Tim. 4:1). This certainly does NOT mean they can lose their salvation. Rather it refers to saved believers departing from the sound doctrines of the Apostle Paul, as their guide for living today. All of this could have been, and can be avoided if we will simply obey what God says about allowing no other doctrine to influence us. |
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on: May 23, 2017, 01:12:14 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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To Pray Or Not To Pray: That Is The Question!
by Pastor Ricky Kurth
“Pray not for this people…” (Jeremiah 14:11).
“Pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17).
Here we go again! Another contradiction in the Word of God. One of the many incongruities in Scripture that make us wonder how to serve God when His Word gives conflicting instructions. Its easy to understand why we should pray without ceasing, but why did God instruct Jeremiah to “pray not” for His people?
To answer, a quick look at the preceding verse will reveal that in Jeremiah’s day God’s people “loved to wander” from Him, and had “not refrained their feet” (v. 10) from so doing. Little wonder their Father deemed them unworthy of the prayers of His prophet!
But aren’t God’s people today just as prone to wander? Don’t we sing that old hymn, “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love”? Why then does God tell us to pray without ceasing?
The answer lies, as it so often does, in “rightly dividing the Word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15). You see, God’s people in Jeremiah’s day had a contract with Him, a covenant called the Law of Moses. Under that Law, if His people walked contrary to Him, He vowed to walk contrary to them (Lev. 26:23,24; 27,28.). And in Jeremiah’s day, God’s people had not refrained their feet from wandering and walking away from Him. They left God no choice but to walk contrary to them, and no amount of praying on the part of His prophet could change what He was contractually obligated by His covenant to do (Jer. 15:1).
How different things are for God’s people today! We are not under the Law, we are under grace! (Rom. 6:15). In “the dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:2), God is not obligated by the old covenant of the Law to walk away from His people when they walk away from Him, He is obligated by the new covenant of His grace “to dwell in them, and walk in them” and “be their God” no matter what (II Cor. 6:16 cf. Jer. 31:33).
So there you have it! Yet another contradiction in the Word of God explained, another puzzle solved, by rightly dividing the Word of truth.
But don’t just sit there reveling in the riches of God’s grace. Now that you know that God will hear your prayers for His people, pray! When you see your brother stumble in his walk, pray! When you find that you yourself have wandered from God, pray! God will never walk contrary to us, so pray that His people will respond to such amazing grace by choosing to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing” (Col. 1:10). |
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on: May 23, 2017, 01:09:37 PM
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Started by nChrist - Last post by nChrist
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The Holy Spirit At Pentecost
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
The one hundred twenty disciples in the Upper Room had, of course, been much like any other group of believers in history. They had not all been equally spiritual or devoted, or faithful. Some had been more so than others, and where some had excelled in one virtue, others had excelled in another. Yet now they were all FILLED with the Spirit, from the least to the greatest of them.
The thoughtful student of Scripture will, of course, ask why all these believers were now filled with the Holy Spirit. Was it, perhaps, because they, as a group, had been more godly than those before them? The gospel records prove that this is not so. Peter boasted, Thomas doubted, James and John sought personal gain, and when our Lord was taken prisoner, “they all forsook Him and fled.”
Was it then because they had prayed long enough or earnestly enough for the Spirit to come upon them and take control? No; they had been instructed to go to Jerusalem, not to pray for the Holy Spirit to come, as some suppose, but to “wait for the [fulfillment of the] promise” regarding the Spirit (Acts 1: 4,5) — and right here is the answer to our question.
The believers at Pentecost were filled with the Holy Spirit, not because they had prayed long or earnestly enough for the Spirit to come, but because the time had arrived for the fulfillment of the divine promise. The Old Testament prophets and the Lord Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit should some day come to take control of God’s people (Ezek. 36:26,27), and that day had come. They were filled with the Spirit because God, according to His promise, had baptized them with the Spirit (Acts 1:5). |
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