Epicurean Living

What is life about? A look at life, a true look at life can be very unsettling. Here is this existence we have but what is it for. Why do we exist? Is this life to be a simple emotional roller coaster we ride to the end? Our news programs reach for the emotion in us. They will move from a story about casualties from an earthquake in China, to a car bombing in Iraq, to the latest revelations about the declining housing market in the cities of America, then almost without a pause we move to the latest developing thunderstorms and then with a smile and a shuffle of papers we end “on a lighter note” with a story about a puppy rescued from a storm drain. Our emotions have suffered, we were mad, sad, sorry and glad within the the time of about 30 minutes. Is that what life is about? Emotion, Emotion, Emotion? Many live this way. They live unto themselves.

This is called Epicurean. Epicurus taught his followers that seeking pleasure was life’s greatest good. It teaches that pleasure and happiness are the primary and chief goals in life. It also taught that pleasure was essential in order to attain a state of tranquility and freedom from feat. Ultimately the pursuit of pleasure would eradicate mental suffering and physical pain.

Satan offered Jesus the Epicurean lifestyle when in the wilderness he approached Jesus and made several offers – Turn stone to bread, I will give you power and glory, prove your greatness. These were the same areas Eve was tempted in. Eve yielded, Jesus did not yield.

You know that there are many religious people that live the Epicurean lifestyle. It is reflected in their approach to worshiping God on His day. They set out with an agenda of what they want and how they want to worship. They have become self-willed and changed the worship of God to please themselves.

I like what Jesus said to the woman at the well – “John 4:22 – Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews.”  There are many in the same boat today floating in the waters of worship, know what they are worshiping because they have not determine through God’s Word how HE WANTS TO BE WORSHIPED. Their attitude is, if it is good enough for me and I enjoy it, it should be good enough for God. What a pathetic attitude towards the one that loved us so much He sent His son to die on the cross for us (John 3:16). God sets the standard for worship and that alone is what He accepts. It is time to decide whether we will worship God and revel in self and an Epicurean lifestyle.Technorati Tags: epicurean, lifestyle, salvation, God,

What You Believe

Christian Headline News – May 2, 2010 — A top British judge has ruled that Christian beliefs have no standing under secular law because they lack evidence and cannot be proven.

Lord Justice John Grant McKenzie Laws made the declaration on Thursday (April 29) in throwing out a defamation suit by Christian relationship counselor who refused to offer sex therapy to gay couples.

Gary McFarlane protested that he was fired because offering sex therapy to same-gender couples violates his Christian principles.

But Laws said “religious faith is necessarily subjective, being incommunicable by any kind of proof or evidence.” He added that to use the law to protect “a position held purely on religious grounds cannot therefore be justified.”

No religious belief, said the judge, can be protected under the law “however long its tradition, however rich its culture.”

The Spade Reveals

WALL FROM KING SOLOMON PERIOD REVEALED IN JERUSALEM

Arutz Sheva – Feb. 22, 2010 — Hebrew University archaeologists have revealed an ancient path in Jerusalem believed to date back to the time of King Solomon, along with structures including a gateway and the foundation of a building. Dr. Eilat Mazar, the leader of the archaeological dig, said the findings match finds from the time of the First Temple.

The latest find includes a 70-meter long and six-meter-high stone wall, a small house adjacent to a gateway leading to what was once the royal courtyard, a building that served city officials, and a tower that overlooked the Kidron river.

According to Mazar, the wall is likely to be the wall built by King Solomon. “This is the first time a building has been found that matches descriptions of the building carried out by King Solomon in Jerusalem,” she said.

The third chapter of the Biblical book of Kings describes King Solomon building “his own house, and the house of the L-rd, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.” The wall testifies to relatively advanced engineering capabilities, archaeologists said. It runs through historic Jerusalem, between the City of David and the Temple Mount.

The remnants of a public building discovered along the wall contained shards of pottery that allowed researchers to estimate the date at which the building in use – approximately 10 B.C.E. One of the shards was engraved with Hebrew writing saying “For the chief…” Mazar believes the shard, part of a jug, belonged to the royal baker.

Other jugs bore a seal saying “For the king” in Hebrew. Dozens of seals were discovered using a water sifting technique. The building was ravaged by fire, researchers said, but the jugs that were found at the site were the largest discovered in Jerusalem to date.

From – Interesting Information

I Am The Way The Truth And The Life

John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Without the way there is no going; without the truth there is no knowing; without the life there is no living. I am the way which thou shouldst pursue; the truth which thou shouldst believe; the life which thou shouldst hope for: (Thomas a Kempis, “Imitation of Christ,” iii., 56)Technorati Tags: truth, life, way know, live, pursue, believe, hope

The Church – English Word

CHURCH – WHAT IT IS

The English Word “Church”

My intent is to show what the Church is by using a methodical study. We need to begin by defining the word. I will be using references that are experts in language and linguistics.

The Word Defined

Overbey in his book (The Meaning of Ecclesia in the N.T. p.7) says, “According to most scholars the word church comes from a Greek word meaning “the Lord’s” with the word house usually understood.” This is taken from the Greek word “kuriakos” which comes from the word “kurios,” meaning “the Lord’s.”

Thayer says, (Thayer’s Lexicon, pl 365) “A Biblical and ecclesiastical word – of or belonging to the Lord, or relating to the Lord.”

Overbey asserts, “Time and the peculiarities of each language had its effect on the word (kuriakos) but the word still remained recognizable. In English it is church, in Old English cirice, in German Kirche, in Scottish kirk, and in Old Scandinavian kyrka.”

The Meaning of the Greek word “Ecclesia”

I want you to remember the word “Church” and it’s meaning while we examine the word “ecclesia”. As previously stated, most scholars agree that the English word “church” comes from a Greek word (kiriakos) which means “the Lord’s” with the word house usually understood.

Here is the etymology of the word Ecclesia.

• Ek – out of.

• Kaleo – to call.

• Hence, a “calling out.”

The word church, according to Overbey, appears in the King James Bible because of Rule 3, established by King James. Rule 3 states – The old ecclesiastical words to kept.

1. K. Cross makes this observation. “In Acts 19:39-41 the term is used twice. Once to refer to the ‘lawful assembly’ which was called out of the citizens of Ephesus to handle legal matters in the city. The other to refer to the assembly that had been called together to run Paul and his companions out of town. In either case the assembly, or ecclesia (for this is the word used here), was a called out group, called together for a specific purpose, and local in nature. This was the common usage of the term and always the proper definition of an ecclesia. THIS IS WHAT OUR LORD SAID HE WOULD BE BUILDING.”

1. K. Cross continues, “If Jesus Christ had intended to build another kind of company there were other words in the language He could have used. He could have used the word ‘Synagoga,’ a term without such limitations and yet designating an assembly. It would certainly have been more fitting for a ‘universal company.’ He could have also used the word ‘panagris’ if He had a solemn assembly in mind of a massive and festal nature. But these were rejected in favor of the most limiting term in the Greek language with reference to an assembly; a term that can only be properly interpreted as an assembly local in nature.”

1. K. Cross further states the word ecclesia is more than a mere assembly. The word is a compounding of two words. Kaleo, ‘to call” and ‘ek’, meaning out, or literally ‘to call out.’ Thus, an ‘ekklesia’ is a Called out assembly, implying some conditions. The Lord did not call all Christians in the area that cared to assemble into His ‘ekklesia,’ but he was very selective about it in Matthew 4:17-22; Matthew 9:1 John 1:43,44 and on until He had 120 in that assembly by the time he went back to the Father. I Cor. 12:28 says that ‘God hath set some in the church (ekklesia)…,’ not all. The same passage states that He set the apostles in the ‘ekklesia,’ and on the occasion when the apostles were chosen there was quite a congregation of disciples present of whom he chose the apostles – and Paul says the apostles, not the crowd, were set in the ‘ekklesia’.

Roy Mason asserts, “…I submit the proposition that the church that Jesus founded was the local assembly, and that to use the word ecclesia to designate a ‘universal,’ or ‘invisible’ church is to pervert its meaning, and to fall into serious error.” (The Church That Jesus Built, Mason, p. 26).

A. C. Dayton said, “The Greek ‘ekklesia’ consisted of certain individuals, who, when assembled and organized, constituted an official body for the transaction of such business as might come before them. It was not merely an assembly, but an official assembly, consisting of persons specifically qualified, and who had each his specific rights and duties as a member of the ekklesia to which was intrusted the management of public business; but the ekklesia were called out from the mass… Every assembly was not an ekklesia, nor was every ekklesia an ekklesia of Christ”. (Theodosia Earnest, pp. 72,73).

This leaves the question, why does the King James Bible use the word Church instead of the word congregation or the word assembly. I have heard those that would use the word assembly instead of Church. I have heard the arguments put forth. Here is what I have to say about the issue. Jesus said “I will build my ecclesia – assembly.

So Wednesday afternoon, I leave my house and walk to the assembly. One of my neighbors happens to be in their yard and ask me where I am going. I say, I’m going to the assembly. Reply – oh, the school assembly, No – Oh, the assembly at 3^rd St and 4^th Ave. No, I’m not going to the corner tavern. So what assembly are you going to? Church (THE LORD’S). My neighbors reply – why didn’t you say that to begin with? My reply – I wanted to be correct in usage whether you understood it or not. I believe that the word Church was used before they began building Church buildings. I also believe that the assembly we attend is “The Lord’s” assembly. The word Church is proper in declaring to others that we are attending “The Lords’ assembly.

Technorati Tags: Church, define, ecclesia, English, German, language

What Is Wrong With A Christian?

SO WHAT IS WRONG WITH A CHRISTIAN?

There are a few questions that rattle around in my gray matter at different times. Some of the questions are prompted by those that call themselves atheist and/or agnostic.

Why do these types of people always try to ridicule and mock and try to slap down those that call themselves Christians.

This causes me to ask several silly questions:

Where are the hospitals that a group of atheists, banded together have begun?

Why would an avowed atheist go to a hospital begun by Christians for treatment of their health concerns and to have their babies. Why won’t they find an atheist doctor, practicing at an atheist hospital where there are not any chaplains to treat the spiritual with the physical. Hypocritical if you ask me.

What group of atheists, banded together, giving their money, giving their time have rushed into Haiti to help rescue, feed, house, and medically treat the mass of suffering humanity. I have the same question about those families that have suffered other disaster in their lives. There are those churches that have invested time, effort, and money in trailers, equipment, water and food to rush to the aid of disaster victims in these United States. God believing, God fearing men and women rushed to New Orleans, Mississippi, and other states where natural disasters have occurred and helped without asking if those being helped believed in their God. So – where are the atheists?

Who is that group of atheists that have begun a rescue mission to feed and give a warm bed to the hungry and homeless and hopeless. What atheist has the compassion to open their wallet and help support these people and what grand thoughts do they have that can bring hope and help into the lives of these misplaced people?

Where are the groups of atheists and what are their group names that began our educational system here in these United States. That is right! There are none. They have not dug into their pockets to finance education, buildings of education or pay the teachers and professors that educate the children and young adults. The elementary school system we now enjoy was begun by those despised Christians. They gave their dirty, filthy money to build and support education. Almost every college, include Ivy league colleges in this, was begun by Christians. Please do understand that these schools and administrators were so unbiased that they began hiring atheists as teachers and professors. I do not understand how an atheist can force himself to take that dirty foul Christian money that is paying them.

These same atheists will shop at JCPenney and Sears. These stores were begun by God believing and God fearing men. WalMart was begun by Sam, a man that believed there is a God. R. G. Latourneau was a man that designed and manufactured a great earth moving machine. He did not ask potential employees whether or not they believed in God. He simply put chapels in his manufacturing plants for those that would want to take a little time to worship each day. He also began a Christian College.

I could go on and on in this vein, but will not. I will make the charge that is often aimed at Christians. Atheists are hypocrites that ride the back of great Christian men and women that do great things. If I were an atheist, I would not take advantage of those businesses, educational institutes, or commodities produced by Christians. I would not accept help from a Christian agency. I would divorce myself from anything Christian and seek out those businesses and commodities that are provided by Atheists. I would not be a parasite that took money from a job that is provided by a God believing person.

I don’t harbor resentment toward atheists. I feel sorry for them. They have no hope. They are without a future. If left to their own devices without Christian’s they would decline and cease to exist. They bring very little to society and take much from it. Whether they realize it or not, they are dependent upon Christians to be able to live.

If I were an atheist, I would not deride, besmirch or ridicule Christians. I would encourage them because they are helpful people. They step in and give assistance where needed. They encourage and uplift. What is wrong with that.

Technorati Tags: christian, atheist, hospital, education, charity

SLAYING DRAGONS AND DEFEATING VILLAINS

SLAYING DRAGONS AND DEFEATING VILLAINS

I awoke this morning and prepared my coffee and looked forward to starting my day. I looked around to find a dragon to slay or maybe a villain to defeat and face to face, toe to toe, eye ball to eye ball; I faced  me. How can this be I thought? Now this is a wonderful thing to think I am a villain that needs slaying. I pursued these thoughts and came to realize that, no matter how good I thought I was, no matter how charitable, no matter how helpful; I was a villain that needed slaying.

Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

God’s word truly shows that I am a villain. It does not matter what I think about myself. God sees the heart and mind. Now is there not one of us that has never entertained an evil thought, said an evil word or done an evil deed? How often do we regale one another with stories of how we have told someone off or the thoughts we have had about those that have done things to us that we did not appreciate. What we must remember is that these are carnal thoughts and carnality is at enmity with God. WHAT TO DO!!!

Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Well, there you have it, be renewed in the spirit of your mind, every day, every morning that carnal mind has to be renewed by the reading of the word and communication with God.

Phi 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus.

There you have it. That is the dragon I must slay every morning. I am the villain that must be defeated by the Word of God, the Power of Jesus Christ, the Leadership of the Holy Spirit, and the Cleansing of the Word. Happy hunting today.

Technorati Tags: slay, dragons, villains, morning, coffee, God, Jesus, Christ, Holy Spirit, charitable

A New Look At Doubting Thomas

How many years had I had a dim view of Thomas the Doubter. Too many. While preparing for a study for Church on Wednesday night, my eyes were opened to the man Thomas truly was. I had heard too many references about his doubting and that had clouded my thoughts on Thomas.

Let me show you a few things about Thomas that are seldom mentioned. John 11:14-16, Jesus has the desire to go see the family of Lazarus. The disciples objected on the grounds that the Jews wanted to kill Jesus. All except Thomas. His reply – “let’s go die with him.”

How often is this quoted of this great man. Now I say great for these four reasons.

1. He displayed a fervent love for the Master. (Do you?)

2. He was ready to act. (Are you?)

3. He was ready to give an expression to his faith by death. (Will you?)

4. He opposed the other disciples in their faithlessness. (Would you?)

John 14:5,6 – Where Jesus said “Let not your hearts be troubled …..I go to prepare a mansion for you … ” Jesus finished this up by saying “And whither I go ye know and the way ye know. Thomas made two revealing statements at this point – “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. – How can we know the way?” Here are some points on this statement.

1. Thomas was anxious about the Lord leaving him. (Are we anxious when we drift from the Lord?)

2. Thomas desired the truth. (Do we desire the truth?)

3. Jesus answer was bigger than the question. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”  ( Are you on this way, in this truth, and truly living and going to see the Father. There is only One way.)

To know Christ is to know the Goal and the way to it.

John 20:24-31 records The doubt that Thomas had. How hard we judge Thomas on this one account. Let our memory wander back to resurrection morning and two disciples from the inner circle racing to the tomb and experiencing wonder and doubt. How about when Peter denied Jesus three times. After the crucifixion and resurrection in there not a statement about the disciples remembering certain things that Jesus told them?

One thing that Thomas could not do was believe through the belief of others. Rush to verse 28 where Thomas says – MY LORD AND MY GOD.”

1. Instant dispersion of doubt.

2. Admiration.

3. Adoration.

4. Recognition of Supreme Diety.

My respect for Thomas has been elevated. He had courage and strength of conviction.

May we all desire these fine points of Thomas.

Joy In Christ

There is great joy in knowing the love of Christ. How often we allow our days to be hum-drum and boring when Christ has made available a tremendous overflowing river of joy to us. Our eyes are covered with scales that blind us to the wonderful things around us. We see, only meanness and evil around us because that is where we cast our eyes. We never see the opportunities.

My prayers have changed recently because I became knowledgable to my blindness. My prayers now include this phrase – “Lord, put opportunity in front of me so that I can do nothing but stumble over it and thereby recognize that joy full occasion to witness of you and to witness the great things you do.

Lord, may I stumble more each and every day.

Here We Go Again

In England, a street preacher has been arrested for saying that several things were sin. He says he enumerated several things that the Bible called sin to a woman on the street. A female policewoman apparently only hear that homosexuality was sin. She arrested him. There is a law that apparently can be construed to bring about his arrest.

The problem I see here is that freedom of speech is allowed for anyone but a christian. Muslim prayers may and can be offered in our schools in the United States but not a christian prayer. The hate crime laws have opened a chink that can be forced to write a law that would encompass hate speech. Any doubts about how that law would be enforced?

The Lord’s coming is soon. His wrath will be sudden, quick and severe. Even so come Lord Jesus!!