59447
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Theology / General Theology / Jesus, the Ultimate Example of Faith's Results
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on: October 08, 2003, 12:24:38 PM
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Hoekstra Devotion - October 8
Jesus, the Ultimate Example of Faith's Results:
The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary . . . The Lord God has opened My ear . . . I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed. (Isa_50:4-7)
In our previous prophetic verses, we saw that the promised Servant of the Lord would undertake His Messianic mission through faith in His heavenly Father. " My God shall be My strength" (Isa_49:5). These verses depicted Jesus as the ultimate example of faith. Now, a corresponding prophetic passage reveals the blessed consequences of trusting in the Lord. Herein, we see Jesus as the ultimate example of faith's results.
Once again, the prophetic parties are the Messiah and His heavenly Father. The confessions of Jesus (trusting in the Father) comprise the prophetic statements. "The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned." Jesus was "discipled" day by day by the Father (certainly using, in part, His godly parents). "The Lord God has opened My ear." This equipped Jesus to minister to burdened lives: "that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary." In fact, people were amazed in general at the manner in which He spoke. "So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth" (Luk_4:22).
As Jesus would trust in the Father, He would also be prepared for the mounting difficulties that He would face. "I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting." In approaching the cross, these prophecies of Jesus (and the enablement He found through depending upon the Father) were fulfilled. "Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands" (Mat_26:67).
Though He knew all of this awaited Him before He came to Jerusalem that last time, He put His faith in the Father. "For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed." The Father helped Him. He marched on resolutely to keep His redemption appointment at the cross. "Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luk_9:51). These are the wonderful consequences of faith.
Father, Your Son, my Savior, was prepared, strengthened, sustained, and used through faith in You. I need to experience in my own life these same blessed results of faith. Please build my faith, more and more, for Your glory and service, Amen.
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59448
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Fellowship / You name it!! / Re:cliques
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on: October 07, 2003, 06:20:20 PM
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Oklahoma Howdy to peachykeen,
I think there may be much more involved with your question than you realize. My thoughts were in a different direction when I saw this.
Earthly friendships and relationships are usually built over a period of time with trust and probably mutual interests. A Christian's fellowship with Jesus is built over a period of time by the believer studying His Holy Word, seeking the will of God, and yielding to what God wants for us in our lives. If the believer continues in this pursuit, the fellowship with Jesus becomes stronger and stronger. The Christian is built up and strengthened in his or her faith and benefits more and more with a closer fellowship with Jesus Christ.
Earthly relationships and friendships have some comparisons, but mankind always fails sooner or later. Jesus never fails. Earthly friendships between brothers and sisters in Christ are easier and quicker to develop because of a common trust in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. However, it should be obvious that we will never trust a person like we do Jesus.
In Christ, Tom
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59449
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Theology / General Theology / Jesus, the Ultimate Example of Faith
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on: October 07, 2003, 11:57:48 AM
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Hoekstra Devotion - October 7 Jesus, the Ultimate Example of Faith: And now the LORD says, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant . . . (for I shall be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and My God shall be My strength) . . . Thus says the LORD: "In an acceptable time I have heard You, and in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You." (Isa_49:5 and Isa_49: Numerous times throughout these hundreds of meditations, we have examined the relationship of "humility and faith" to "growing in grace." Such repeated opportunities assist us in apprehending the means of living day by day by grace. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble . . . we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (Jam_4:6 and Rom_5:2). For a number of days, we have been considering humility and grace. In a recent meditation, we saw that Jesus is the ultimate example of humility. Now, we turn to give considerable attention to faith and grace. Concerning faith, we begin where we left off with humility — with Jesus as our example. Again, we will see that Jesus is the ultimate example of faith. Our present verses are a prophecy involving the Father and His Son, the Servant Messiah, who would go forth to provide God's gift of salvation. "And now the LORD says, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant." An angel would eventually announce this prophecy as coming to fulfillment. "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins" (Mat_1:20-21). The confession of the Messiah is also given here prophetically. "My God shall be My strength." When the Son would leave heaven for His incarnation, He would function by faith in the Father. The Father's reassuring words affirm this trust in Him. "Thus says the LORD: 'In an acceptable time I have heard You, and in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You'." The fact that Jesus lived by faith in His Father was a part of His own teaching ministry. "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner" (Joh_5:19). Herein, Jesus (who had laid aside the independent exercise of His deity) was exemplifying how man should live in humble dependence upon the faithfulness of God. Dear Savior, I humble myself before You, expressing my desire to grow in grace. I know that faith accesses grace. Lord, please teach me to place my faith in You, just as You fully relied upon the Father, Amen.
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59450
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Theology / General Theology / Re:Share A Thought
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on: October 07, 2003, 11:39:35 AM
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Oklahoma Howdy to Jabez,
Brother, maybe God has put you there for more than one purpose. Make it a matter of prayer and seek His guidance. Just a couple of thoughts: (1) maybe you tell them very nicely what their cursing means, (2) maybe you bring some Bible tracts to distribute on a regular basis.
In Christ, Tom
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59451
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Theology / General Theology / Re:Share A Thought
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on: October 07, 2003, 11:04:11 AM
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Can you imagine if children were born tall enough to reach the door handle, tall enough to see over the dashboard, with the physical coordination of an adult...and then turn two?
Anyway: thought for the day:
What you worship is what you will become. Bob Coy
Oklahoma Howdy to Whitehorse, Thanks for sharing this with us. I just spent some time with my grandsons, and the oldest will be 3 in December. I had a big chuckle with that last sentence in trying to imagine such a two year old toddler. To say that I had fun with them would be an understatement. I give thanks that they have parents who are bringing them up in the precious TRUTHS of JESUS. In Christ, Tom
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59452
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Theology / General Theology / Re:Share A Thought
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on: October 07, 2003, 10:51:14 AM
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Oklahoma Howdy to Smartinez1984,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts - I enjoyed your post. There is more than enough in the Holy Bible for many lifetimes of study. All of the answers we really need for our lives are there. It is indeed the LIVING WORD, and it speaks to God's children through the Holy Spirit when we study the timeless TRUTH.
In Christ, Tom
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59453
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Theology / General Theology / Re:Share A Thought
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on: October 07, 2003, 10:29:28 AM
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Amen Tom! I've posted this before, but the depth of that humility is what amazes me. We are told in scriptures that all things made where made by Jesus, and upheld by Him as well. I floors me how He Who made all things humbled Himself to be made, and even set aside the glory that was His, submitting Himself to be upheld - submitting Himself to die. And not just any death, but the death of a criminal - the death of the cross! Supreme perfection, and innocence being treated as though He had guilt, and even becoming sin - for me. Humility like that deserves the glory that God has heaped and will heap even more upon Him. Nice thought Tom. Thank you!
Oklahoma Howdy to Allinall, Brother, you are most welcome. It's hard for the unsaved to understand this precious truth. There are also some who make fun of this GIFT and ask why HE didn't use his mighty power to subdue HIS adversaries. The answer is in HIS MATCHLESS GRACE and a LOVE that is above all that mankind can imagine. Thanks be unto God for HIS unspeakable GIFT! In Christ, Tom
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59454
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Entertainment / Laughter (Good Medicine) / Re:Laughter - Good Medicine
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on: October 07, 2003, 12:02:03 AM
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Another Groaner from me. Mexican Smuggler: Juan comes up to the Mexican border on his bicycle. He's got two large bags over his shoulders. The guard stops him and says, "What's in the bags?" "Sand," answered Juan. The guard says, "We'll just see about that get off the bike." The guard takes the bags and rips them apart; he empties them out and finds nothing in them but sand. He detains Juan overnight and has the sand analyzed, only to discover that there is nothing but pure sand in the bags. The guard releases Juan, puts the sand into new bags, hefts them onto the man's shoulders, and lets him cross the border. A week later, the same thing happens. The guard asks, "What have you got?" "Sand," says Juan. The guard does his thorough examination and discovers that the bags contain nothing but sand.He gives the sand back to Juan, and Juan crosses the border on his bicycle. This sequence of events if repeated every day for three years. Finally, Juan doesn't show up one day and the guard meets him in a Cantina in Mexico. "Hey, Buddy," says the guard, "I know you are smuggling something. It's driving me crazy. It's all I think about..... I can't sleep. Just between you and me, what are you smuggling?" Juan sips his beer and says, "Bicycles."
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59455
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Entertainment / Laughter (Good Medicine) / Re:BULL
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on: October 06, 2003, 11:52:33 PM
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Good one Brother Forrest, Now, my groaner - The Bill: Walking up to a department store's fabric counter, the pretty girl said, "I would like to buy this material for a new dress. How much does it cost?" "Only one kiss per yard," replied the male clerk with a smirk. "That's fine," said the girl. "I'll take ten yards." With expectation and anticipation written all over his face, the clerk quickly measured out the cloth, wrapped it up, then teasingly held it out. The girl snapped up the package, pointed to the old geezer standing beside her, and smiled, "Grandpa will pay the bill."
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59456
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Theology / General Theology / Jesus, the Ultimate Example of Godly Exaltation
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on: October 06, 2003, 05:44:21 PM
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Hoekstra Devotion - October 6
Jesus, the Ultimate Example of Godly Exaltation
He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phi_2:8-11)
There is an ungodly, self-sufficient exaltation that leads to defeat and dishonor. "Everyone who exalts himself will be abased" (Luk_18:14). On the other hand, there is a godly, self-denying humility that leads to a proper exaltation. "He who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luk_18:14). We saw in our previous meditation that Jesus was the ultimate example of humility. Here, we see that He is also the ultimate example of godly exaltation.
Jesus humbly surrendered Himself to the will of the Father that our salvation might be secured through His atoning death. "He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." The results were glorious. God's great salvation was purchased for man, and God's Son was greatly exalted. "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name." First, Jesus was raised victoriously from the dead and seated at the Father's right hand, being granted the name above all names. "He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places" (Eph_1:20). Some day He will return triumphantly. "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war" (Rev_19:11). Finally, He will rule forever sovereignly. " Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end . . . to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever" (Isa_9:7).
Those who must be forced to bow at the end will be separated from Him forever. Those who humbly bow and confess Him now will be exalted now (that is, "lifted up" now into heavenly realms of forgiveness, blessing, growth, and fruitfulness). Eventually, they will enter into His eternal exaltation (joint-heirs with Christ, serving Him forever)! The pathway is humility. He humbled Himself, yet, will rule eternally. We humble ourselves before Him now, yet we reign with Him forever!
Lord Jesus, what an amazing path You walked — from humble servanthood to a heavenly throne. What a grand exaltation will be Yours forever. What an astounding joy to know that I will join You in that exaltation, serving You eternally. Lord, I humble myself before You anew. Make me You faithful servant now while I await the glorious privilege that is coming, Amen.
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59457
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Entertainment / Laughter (Good Medicine) / Re:BULL
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on: October 06, 2003, 05:35:57 PM
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Funeral Service:
A funeral service is being held for a woman who has just passed away. At the end of the service the pall bearers are carrying the casket out when they accidentally bump into a wall, jarring the casket. They hear a faint moan. They open the casket and find that the woman is actually alive.
She lives for ten more years, and then dies. A ceremony is again held at the same place, and at the end of the ceremony the pall bearers are again carrying out the casket.
As they are walking, the husband cries out, "watch out for the wall!''
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59458
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Entertainment / Laughter (Good Medicine) / Re:Laughter - Good Medicine
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on: October 06, 2003, 05:31:46 PM
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Hole In One: Father Norton wakes up to a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning and decides he just has to play golf. He pretends he's sick and convinces the associate pastor to say mass for him that day, then heads out of town to a golf course about 50 miles away so he won't run into anyone from his parish. On the first tee he sees he has the entire course to himself: Everyone else is in church! Watching from heaven, Saint Peter turns to the Lord and asks, "are you going to let him get away with this?" Just then Father Norton hits the ball. It heads straight for the pin, drops just short of it, rolls up, and falls into the hole - a 420 yard hole in one! Astonished, Saint Peter looks at the Lord and asks, "Why in Heaven did you let him do that?" The Lord smiles and replies, "Who's he going to tell?"
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59460
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Welcome / About You! / Re:I am Going Away...
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on: October 06, 2003, 11:13:04 AM
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I am Brother Love Oklahoma Howdy to Brother Love, Brother, you are indeed Brother Love. Thanks for your love and kindness to your brothers and sisters in Christ. In Christ, Tom
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