Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor (Paraclete) to be with you forever - The Spirit of Truth.”
John 14:16, NIV

The Book of Job begins with a depiction of a heavenly gathering of angels before the Lord, and Satan “also came with them” (Job 1:6). I note that the literal translation of the Hebrew word used here for Satan means “accuser.”
I quickly slide off into a daydream; I envision a heavenly court, not unlike a Perry Mason script, where the Prosecuting Attorney is Satan, “The Accuser.” God is on the High Bench, of course, and the Defense is in good hands, being the Paraclete, the Counselor of John 14:16,
I am not an observer from a back corner of the courtroom, however. I find myself in the witness chair, front and center, the subject of this trial, the Defendant!
The Prosecution begins by opening a large ledger, and my heart shrinks within me. Satan maintains not only a very sharp pencil, but has kept a scrupulous and thorough accounting. I think of the words of the Prophet Isaiah, when he saw a vision of the Lord, high and exulted: “Woe to me,” Isaiah cried, “I am ruined, for I am a man of unclean lips.” (Isaiah 6:5).
Satan begins. They are all listed there, sins of omission, as well as sins of commission. The gross as well as the petty, laid out for all to see. Am I to be like the wicked of the First Psalm, as “chaff that the wind blows away?” Satan is skilled, and cunning. He has well earned the title of “The Accuser.”
As a glowering “Accuser” completes the presentation of his case, he closes his ledger with a sharp “Thunk” of finality.
In despair, I realize that I can do nothing but throw myself upon the mercy of the court. I am reminded that the prosecution is only half of a trial, however. The Defense, the “One who Walks Alongside,” begins. He, too, opens a ledger. All in the court, including Satan, strains to see what is written there. It is a list of names; the Counselor runs his finger swiftly down the page, stopping at a name, and looking up at the bench, proclaims, “I present to the Court, that the defendant's name is written here, in the Book of Life.” Heads nod. Satan scowls, and rises to object.
“Your Honor, it is apparent the defense is ignoring the facts.”
The objection is denied. The Counselor asks that the defendant step down for the moment, and asks to present evidence that all of Satan’s accusations are null and void, because they have been purged from the Heavenly record. Again Satan rises. “I object, Your Honor. My records are complete, and factual. Surely the defendant must be found guilty. Justice must prevail.” Again, the objection is denied.
The Counselor calls another witness. “Please tell the court”, he asks, “ why the defendant should not be found guilty in this case.”
“Because I have already paid whatever penalty is due to this defendant,” states the witness. “How can that be?” sputters Satan. “Can sin be forgiven?”
“Yes,” Jesus replies. “Though sins be as scarlet, they shall become as white as wool, and the one who believes in Me shall not perish, but have everlasting life. While he was yet a sinner, I died for him.” Stretching forth His hands, He holds them up for all to see.
Thomas, one of the Apostles, sitting to one side, nods, and smiles.
I can but only acknowledge, “My Lord, and My God.”
Well, it is only a dream, isn’t it?

Scripture: Jesus said, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Mathew 7:14, KJV

Which way to go? Which way to go?
We get all kinds of advice - Go THIS way! No that way is best. We are admonished to be either hot or cold. Taking the ‘middle of the road’ is bad, of course, or straddling the fence. We are to come all the way out, or stay all the way in. We encounter those who clamber for the world to choose THEIR WAY - whether high road or low, far left or right.
What would Jesus do? He advised to come, follow Him, and let the dead bury the dead. Lk. 9:60
In fact, some of the disciples complained that Jesus’ teaching were “hard” (John 6:60), saying, “Who can accept it.”
Is there a right path, straight, and aimed for the narrow gate, that does not veer to extremes? I will throw out some comments for you to think about.
Back in my youthful and more agile days I learned to walk the top of the board fence along our driveway. I even attempted to walk a tightrope (cable) with some success. It takes balance, concentration, and confidence gained from ‘walking the walk.’ If you go off to the right, left, or down you are no longer ‘walking the ‘line.’
Just ordinary walking is not easy at first. Consider young children at that stage rightly called “toddlers,” as they master the technique of walking. Again, in the fullness of years, many people have problems maintaining their balance. Assuming there is strength enough in their legs, they rely on a cane or walker. Balance, maintaining an equilibrium, is important if we wish to stand and walk, and especially if we wish to go in a particular direction.
There is another kind of balance, more of mind and spirit than physical. This is in regard to our attitudes, our psyche, or relationship to the world about us. Conscience. Judgment. Responsibility. Belonging. Fitting in. Accepting others. As Jesus put it, “Loving your neighbor as yourself.” Doing things in moderation.
If you seek to hit a target, in whatever sport, you’ve got to aim directly for it; basket, goal posts, golf cup, bowling pins, archery - whatever.
We need to truly evaluate the claims some ‘blind’ leaders and cults advocate. We should not follow blindly every voice that chants, “Go this way - the ‘target’ is over there.“ Fix your eyes on Jesus, find that narrow path, and the strait gate, and go right down the middle toward it.

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: “ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galations 3:28, NKJV)

After learning the numbers, and how to count with them, we learn about “equals.” 1+2=3; 3+4=7, and so on. It is plain to see that the digits on either side of that equal sign may signify equity, but they are obviously not identical. Each number is distinct in its own right, however balanced they may be in the equation.
I have been thinking about how that plays out in the social, as well as the mathematical world. We are reminded in many ways how you and I share equality - created equal, have equal rights, equal opportunities, and all that. My point is, equal does not mean identical. We are not indistinguishable, one from the other, or exactly the same, uniform, and interchangeable.
Where this matters most, it seems to me, is how God looks upon His children.
“ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galations 3:28, NKJV) There is no favoritism on account of birth, beauty, or blood. There is no truth, as some claim, that certain people are the favorites of heaven, in virtue of their birth or their rank in life, or that they have special facilities for salvation.
Paul affirms, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Individuals on one side of that “equals” sign, and one Spirit, one body on the other. (1 Corinthians 12:13) It is the same God that works all in all. God so loved the world - every individual - that everyone who believes will be part of that one Body, one Spirit; “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit with.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)
Consider: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” (John 1:6-8) John had a unique role; he stood out as an individual, as described by Mark (1:1-8) but made no claims as to his relationship to the Light. When asked about his identity, John replied, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said.” (1:23)
Later, after Jesus began His ministry, John again responded to questions about his role in the kingdom of God; saying, “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:27-30)
John inquired from prison as to whether Jesus was the Coming One. Jesus praised John highly, but added, “ . . . But he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than (John.)” (See Matthew 11:2-15) He who is least, even I? How can that be? Individuals on one side of that “equals” sign, and one Spirit, one body on the other.
As summed up by “The Preacher” of Ecclesiastes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecc. 12:13-14)
Psalm 9:8 states, “He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.”
God will balance the equation, bringing into the “one body, one Spirit” even the least of those who believe in Him. (John 3:16)

Seeds for Thinking (©) 1996 - 2010 by Leland Hubbell

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

How willing are we to serve in Jesus’ name?
As I was dwelling on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, I began thinking about the actions of all of the persons involved in this passage of scripture. And, I wondered, would I do differently, walking in their shoes?
The lawyer was an expert in Jewish religious teachings of Mosiac law. Eternal life was a current topic of religious debate. He thus answered Jesus’ question by stating the Jewish Shema, a Hebrew text consisting of three passages from the Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 6:4, 11:13–21; Numbers 15:37–41) and beginning “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.” It forms an important part of Jewish evening and morning prayer and is used as a Jewish confession of faith.
He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind
(from Deut 6:5) and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.”(from Leviticus 19:18 - “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”)
Jesus responded, “You have answered correctly - do this and you will live.”
(Leviticus 18:5 “Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.”)
Yes, Jesus died to bring salvation to the world, but this does not absolve us from loving God with all of our being, and loving our neighbor, even as Jesus loves.
We can readily identify with the man - everyone; mankind - at the mercy of the world, who was attacked, beaten and robbed. Mankind has a history of descending. From Genesis to Revelation, we get a picture of descent, especially if Satan has his way with us. Satan: robber, murderer. Taker, of lives. What will be left? Sin! Robbers and thieves act out, “What you have is mine, if I can take it from you.”
The priest and Levite represent ritualism and ceremonialism. Perhaps they tended to think, “What I have is mine, and I am going to keep it.” They were a privileged class. There were many rules & regulations governing them. For example, they had to dress a certain way, and carry out very specific actions as worship. They were not to defile themselves, such as by contact with a corpse. Priests could not even attend a burial except of a close relative. Was the man possibly dead? They knew the dangers, and avoided them. Wouldn’t you?
The Samaritan embodies the concept, “What I have is yours if I can help you.” I found these words from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:
“It is lamentable to observe how selfishness governs all ranks; how many excuses men will make to avoid trouble or expense in relieving others. But the true Christian has the law of love written in his heart. The Spirit of Christ dwells in him; Christ's image is renewed in his soul. The parable is a beautiful explanation of the law of loving our neighbour as ourselves, without regard to nation, party, or any other distinction. It also sets forth the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward sinful, miserable men.”
Ritualism, ceremonialism, and legalism could not save the man, nor nor can it save mankind. The question is not whether we will have eternal life, but whether that life will be with God, rather than with Satan. Jesus, through the Grace of God, offers salvation. Having chosen Jesus, then, let us embody fully this example: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

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Scripture: But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:5 -6, NKJV)

I have visited the tomb, but I did not see his body. Still, I believe that he is dead. I not only have the word of many people that it is true, but I have even seen pictures that confirm it. I have never heard anyone that doubted the fact as truth.
I have not been near the tomb of another man, yet is is reported that crowds of people come from all over to visit there also. Those who have been there say that the tomb is empty. I have no reason to believe that it is not so.
Lenin’s tomb in Red Square was closed the day that I was there. Anyway, I doubt that my group of people would have taken the time to wait out the long queue that forms whenever his embalmed body is on public display.
The very location of Christ’s tomb is in question; people visiting either popular site see nothing but an empty sepulcher. That is not surprising; the first visitors to His tomb found it to be empty, and they knew exactly where it was. They also found evidence that He had been entombed there. The linen cloths that had wrapped His body were lying there, empty.
The absence of a body was explained by an angel, a messenger of God. “He is not here, for He is risen, as He said.”
Did people form long lines and visit the tomb in reverence and awe? No, there was no need to do so. The tomb was empty. Scriptural accounts affirm that the real, living Jesus appeared to many witnesses.
Matthew 28:11-15 confirms that the officials knew without a doubt that the tomb was empty, and paid the soldiers well to lie about the resurrection. Every attempt was made to seal and secure the tomb, yet the armed guard was rewarded for dereliction of duty? I think not! They were rewarded as a cover up.
People still try to explain away the missing body, to cast doubt upon the truth of the resurrection. Many grab hold of every conspiracy theory that comes along like a starving man grasping a morsel of food. They look for descendants, they espouse the authenticity of relics in a never-ending quest to discredit the witnesses and those who recorded the Good News.
Saul, The Doubter became Paul, the Great Evangelist and Defender of Jesus as the Christ - for a reason. His beliefs are summed up in 1 Corinthians chapter 15; that Christ died for our sins, that He arose on the third day, according to the scriptural prophecies; He was seen by Peter (Cephas) and by five hundred witnesses at once, and by the apostles.
No, you will not find Jesus by looking in tombs, nor thousands of ossuary boxes.
He is not there, for He is risen!
April 8, 2007

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him. (Matthew 25:29 - from the Parable of the Talents; Living Bible) See also Luke 19:11-26.

Use it or lose it! That credo certainly applies to the servant who hid his money rather than use it profitably in this parable. We would do well to understand the meaning of this parable lest we fall into the errant way of those who shirk responsibility and suffer the same fate as the unfaithful servant.
The master, or ruler, in the parable wasn’t just giving the servants money to have and to hold until his return. Each of the three men was given a responsibility in accordance with his ability. Two of the men understood that they were to invest the money, and had double the initial amount when the master returned. They were praised for their good work, and rewarded with both greater responsibility and an invitation to ‘enter into the joy of your lord.’ (vs. 21)
Do not be distracted by the use of money as an example in the parable. They were given an opportunity to work for the master. They were simply to carry on some work that the master would have done, had he been there. The faithful servants have taken what they were given and gained double for the kingdom!
Note also that it is not the size of the task that matters, nor rank or standing. Rather, each was given opportunity in accordance with their perceived likelihood of successfully completing the assignment. Two of them fulfilled their master’s trust. The third had the same opportunity, but failed.
Keep in mind that Jesus is showing us something very important about the kingdom of heaven. In fact, Psalm 16:11 states:
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (NKJV)
I think that Jesus is trying to show us the “path of life” in this parable. We all have been given opportunities to become one of the “laborers sent into His harvest.” (Mt. 9:37-38) The ‘harvest’ is the vast number of the unsaved in the world, people who have either not heard the Good News of Jesus, or have been distracted by the pleasures of the World and its prince, Satan.
Unfortunately, many who are given the opportunity to labor for Christ emmulate the unfaithful servant; they ‘hide’ the opportunity that they have been given, and gain nothing for the kingdom. That unfaithful servant will be denied the invitation to enter the joy of the Lord. The future does not hold joy for those who do not make the most of their given opportunity.
Read it again: “For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him.” Substitute the word “opportunity” for responsibility in this passage, and you will gain a better sense of the importance of using what you have been given.
Don’t ignore the little things. A prayer, a kind word, a smile for those who most need it might fill a need in their life. Something as simple as passing on a Bible tract may be your opportunity, your ‘assignment’ from the Master for the day.
Each step we take in the direction of the kingdom of heaven takes us closer to sharing forever in the joy of the Lord.
Any other step, including no steps at all - well, you think about it.
April 1, 2007

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: God told Jeremiah, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3, NKJV

People made do with a lot of things that were not otherwise available in the depths of the great depression. Mom collected string. Oh, she collected lots of things, but the string from the feed sacks that Dad brought home from the feed mill was carefully wound into a ball and placed in a unique string dispenser, a ceramic figurine of a whistling girl. The string came out of a small hole in the cherry red, pursed lips. String was the solution for the myriad tasks necessary to hold the world together. We just reached up and pulled out what was required for the task at hand.
Mom also used the cloth from the specially printed feed sacks to make dresses, shirts, and even bed sheets.
Many purchases at the stores were wrapped in paper, which was pulled from a big roll on the counter. The proper length would be cut off with a sharp snap over a blade on the dispenser, and neatly folded into a package containing the purchase. The clerk then reached up to a spindle and pulled out some of that marvelous stuff - string - tied it all together, and off you went.
That string, too, went into the string dispensing figurine in our home.
We can learn a lot from a piece of string. Did you know that the length of a piece of string - any piece of string - is exactly twice the length of one end to the middle? Works for ladders and such, too! Try it - you will amaze your friends and confound your enemies.
You can tie a piece of string around your finger to remind you to think about something. String is a general practitioner in the memory department, however. Specialized memory is still up to you.
Here is another, even more important property - and reminder. String can be pulled; it can not be pushed.
This is the proof: Find a length of string (about two or three times the length of a six-inch ruler) and lay it out on a smooth, flat surface. Carefully place a finger on the end nearest you and push it away from you, keeping the string in a straight line. Hey! I said straight! What’s with this tangle?
Now place your finger on that same end, and pull it toward you. The string will neatly follow. Why is this so important? Think about management techniques and leadership styles. People are a lot like string; we don’t like to be pushed. The ‘pushy’ boss only succeeds in making a tangle of things, tying people up in stress.
People can be led, however; people will be pulled by or drawn to a wise leader. They will follow. That is God’s plan, as expressed to Jeremiah.
Imagine that we are like a piece of string, and God is on one end, drawing us toward Him with loving kindness. Why, then, is everyone not freely drawn toward God? Because we are caught up in a tug-of-war between two opposing forces. Satan is pulling, twisting, applying whatever force he can to get us to go his way. Believe me, Satan’s way is not the direction to where you want to spend eternity.
Unlike string, though, we have a choice. Jesus will cut us off from Satan’s pull, if we accept Him, and give lovingkindness a chance to work. The Holy Spirit will help pull us toward God.
Yes, we can learn a lot from a piece of string.
March 25, 2007

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