Seeds For Thinking

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

Seeds For Thinking
by Leland Hubbell

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Scripture: For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. (Hebrews 9:24, NKJV)

Welcome to Fluffy Cloud Heaven! Mess up a little bit in your earthly life, and when you get to heaven you will get:

A rusty old halo, skinny white cloud
Second hand wings full of patches
A rusty old halo, skinny white cloud
Robe that's so wooly it scratches.

This is the heaven often depicted in art, story, film and song. People become angels when they die, complete with wings. They wear a long, white robe, sport a halo, and float around on clouds. Entrance is via Pearly Gates, guarded by St. Peter. He will check his big book of naughty and nice records, and as noted in the song, “A Rusty Old Halo,” reward you accordingly. The rich and stingy have to travel “Coach” class.
However, if;

While you're on earth you should shine like a star
Brighten up the corner wherever you are
Doing each day the best you can do

then you receive “First Class” accommodations. Non-smoking section.
If you really mess up Big Time, then you are sent to the nether regions, “smoking,” of course, with flames and pitchforks. Well, not really a pitchfork, but an ancient weapon called a trident. Think Roman gladiators. Greek gods. Get the point?
When the first Soviet cosmonauts orbited the earth, the Soviets took the opportunity to score a point for atheism by declaring that there was neither God nor heaven to be seen. Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man to orbit the earth, apparently never said such words; the phrase originated from Nikita Khrushchev's speech at the plenum of the Central Committee of the CPSU, where the anti-religious propaganda was discussed. Actually, they affirmed that a “Fluffy Cloud Heaven” doesn’t exist. God’s Eternal Kingdom lies beyond time and eternity, not over the rainbow nor in the clouds.
Author C. S. Lewis states in “Mere Christianity,” “All the scriptural imagery (harps, crowns, gold, etc.) is, of course, a merely symbolical attempt to express the inexpressible. . . . People who take these symbols literally might as well think that when Christ told us to be like doves, He meant that we were to lay eggs.”
(See Matthew 10:16)
What is the true heaven like? According to the scriptures, it will be filled with the glory of God. It will be inhabited by God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, angels, and the Just. There will be peace, joy, rest, and righteousness.
Nothing perishable will exist there. There will be no sorrow, no pain, no weeping or wicked people. People will neither marry, nor give in marriage. Night and death will not exist.
Heaven - God’s Heaven - is a place of everlasting bliss. “For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”

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

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

* Thieves
* Scripture: God spoke; Moses wrote, "Thou shalt not steal." Deuteronomy 5:17

Would you believe it?! He had the audacity to call me a thief. It was my tree, and my fruit. I planted it, I cared for it - so what right did he have to call me a thief? Actually, there was plenty of fruit for both of us. Well, maybe blue jays have a limited vocabulary. As far as that bird was concerned, though, it was his territory, and the Lord put the fruit on it for his benefit as well as mine.
Fair enough. Besides, "Thief" is only our approximation of a a bluejay's call. It might just mean "Hey, good buddy" in bird talk. Thinking about the word 'thief' did make me curious about thieves in the Bible, though.
It is obvious that thievery was not an acceptable practice at least as far back as the Exodus. "Thou shalt not steal!" You can not get more explicit than that, can you? Well, maybe. Let's take a look.
In a sense, all of the other commandments hinge on stealing. The First Commandment, of course, states that "You shall not have any other gods before Me." What does that have to do with theft? By worshipping idols, by having other gods (lower case 'g') you are taking the honor and worship that rightfully belongs only to God! Think about it!
Taking the name of God in vain, misusing that Good Name, corrupting it, robs God of the dignity and respect that His Good Name deserves.
The Lord God Himself rested on the seventh day. Are we so desperate that we will attempt to steal even time that the Lord has set aside? That time is intended to enrich our lives, so are we stealing from both God AND ourselves by taking away the worship and rest we are loosing? Not to mention that 'rest' from work for our son, daughter, male servant, female servant, ox, donkey, cattle or even the stranger "within our gates." They deserve that rest - so said the Lord Himself. Are you stealing from them?
We are to honor our parents. That topic is worthy of many a sermon and writing, yet we hear report after report of abuse of parents and senior citizens. Outright taking of possessions is obvious, but theft of honor and respect is doubly odious. This is the 'commandment with a promise': "that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you."
Adultery is an especially messy business. It involves breaking a pledge given in good trust, often leading to a life time of disillusionment and ill will for innocent victims who have lost one of the most precious gifts of God - the loving family unit. Much is written in the Laws concerning sexual relations: start with Leviticus Chapter 18 for more insight.
Surely coveting is not stealing. Well, by definition, to covet is to "wish for enviously, to feel inordinate desire for what belongs to another." At what point do wishes become actions? Inordinate desire (covetness) robs the heart of well-being, possibly leading to "evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false-witness, blasphemies." (Mt. 15:19)
Jesus also said, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust after her (covet) has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Mt. 5:28, see Adultery)
Thieves are prominent in Paul's list of unrighteous practices: "nor thieves, nor coveteous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." (See 1 Corinthians Chapter 6)
What hope, then, is there? The Holy Spirit walks along side us, to guide and enable our 'walk.'
We always have the option of repentance, even to the last moment (although that is risky) as evidenced by the thieves at the crucifixion of our Lord. One repented, and was forgiven at that very moment.
And finally, as in sports, the best offense is a good defense: Guard yourselves from the wiles of the devil by worship, prayer, and meditation.
July 2, 2006

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

Scripture: The Lord then answered (the ruler of the synagogue) and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?” (Luke 13:15, NKJV) -
Read Luke 13:10-17)

I must confess that I have never been fond of tending cattle. Been around them, yes, but not high on my animal preference list. Now, words about cattle - that’s a different story. So a question popped into my head about a phrase I have often heard around the cattle barn: “So boss,” as a call, or to calm a jittery cow. At least that’s what it sounds like to me. Maybe “soo boss,” but definitely ‘boss.’ The term “bossy cow,” or the name, Bossy.
Why boss and bossy? The popular search engine wasn’t much practical help, leading me around and around the barn, so to speak, until I found a list of words for ‘cow’ in several languages. An old English word for cow is cú; Latin bos, bovis; Greek ‘bous.’ The ancient Teutons heard ‘cu’ where we hear ‘moo.’ The Greeks and Romans heard ‘boo.’ According to http://www.billcasselman.com/ many Europeans hears the cattle call as “cu -boss” (the ‘c’ possibly pronounced as ‘s?’) “Bossy” as a name for a specific cow is widespread throughout Europe. “Cu-bos” - Come, Bossy!
Sure enough, the Greek word Luke uses for ox in 13:15 is ‘bous.’ Paul uses the word a couple of times in his writings, as well. Like finding the pot of gold, for a word freak!
But enough about words. Let’s get back to the scripture, and Jesus’ reason for talking about livestock. (See Luke 13:10-17)
Jesus was teaching in a synagogue when He encountered a woman who had a spirit of infirmity that had kept her bent over for eighteen years. She couldn’t straighten up. Jesus laid His hands on her, and loosed her from her infirmity. She was immediately able to stand upright, and glorified God. Hallelujah! We might say.
But the ruler of the synagogue was indignant: This was the sabbath day, not a day for healing. No work permitted on the sabbath.
The Law permitted, - yes, required - that livestock, even the bous and onikos (donkey) were unloosed from the stall, and led away to water on the sabbath. Satan had bound this daughter of Abraham for eighteen years! Jesus had unloosed this bond - even on the sabbath.
Not only livestock, but also servants and strangers were to be accorded the same “rest” on the sabbath. (Exodus 23:10) The LORD declares, “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. (Psalms 50:10)
It is important to note that “A righteous man regards the life of his animal.” (Proverbs 12:10) Oxen were often used to thresh out the grain by treading on the stalks and seed heads. They were not to be muzzled to prevent them from eating while working. (Deuteronomy 25:4) Lost, strayed or fallen animals were to be accorded proper care, and returned to their owner. (Deuteronomy 22:1-4)
“So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound - think of it - for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?
True love of God is this - To show love and compassion for God, ourselves, our neighbors, and even our ox and donkey, all seven days of the week. ”

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

* Heaven
* Scripture: Jesus said, “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20, NKJV, NIV

The Sunday School teacher asked her students to raise their hands if they wanted to go to heaven. Instantly, enthusiastic hands shot up and were waving all over the class - all except one boy who was sitting on his hands.
“Don’t you want to go to heaven when you die?,” she asked.
“Oh! When I die, sure,” he replied. “I thought you were getting up a trip right now.”
I think most of us are like that. We want to go to heaven - someday, but not right now.
However, in the words of an old spiritual song;
“Everybody talkin’ ‘bout Heaven ain’t goin’ there.”
Jesus Himself affirms this, saying, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Mt. 6:21, NKJV)
Jesus speaks often of heaven, including the model prayer, which begins,
“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” (Mt. 5:9-10, NKJV)
Heaven - the place of everlasting bliss - might more properly be called “paradise” to distinguish the abode of God, Christ, The Holy Spirit, Angels and The Just from the firmament (heavens) containing the sun, moon, stars, planets, and other heavenly objects. Hebrews 1:11 and 2 Peter 3:10
note that the heavens (firmament) will pass away, but the abode of God will endure for eternity. God created the heavens and earth to declare His Glory, Righteousness, and Wisdom. (Ps. 19:1; Ps. 50:6; Prov. 8:27)
The redeemed can look forward to Joy, Rest, Peace, Righteousness, Service, Reward, Inheritance, Glory, and the Authority of God’s Word. (Luke 15:7, 10; Rev. 14:3; Luke 16:19-25; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 7:15; Matt. 5:11, 12; 1 Peter 1:4; Romans 8:17, 18; Ps. 119:89)
Some things are indeed lacking in Paradise. You won’t find Marriage, Death, Flesh and blood, Perishable things, Sorrow, Pain, The Curse, Night, Weeping, and Wicked people, End. (Matt. 22:30; Luke 20:36; 1 Cor. 15:50; 1 Cor. 15:42, 50; Rev. 7:17; Rev. 22:3; Rev. 22:5; Isaiah. 65:19; Rev. 22:15; Matt. 25:46, Rev. 22:5)
The alternative to ‘Paradise’ is not a nice place, described as a place of eternal torment, everlasting fire, punishment, destruction, of Outer Darkness and a Lake of Fire. (See Matt. 25:41, 46; 8:12; 2 Thess1:9 and Rev. 19:20)
So - you need to be certain your name is recorded in heaven. (Luke 10:20) You must be saved, born again, of water and the Spirit. (John 3:3-6, 3:16, 5:24; Acts 16:31)
That’s a lot to read, I know. (I also know many won’t take the time!) Well, add one chapter more, from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 15. There will come a day when you will be glad you did, and you, too, can exclaim, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? (1 Cor. 15:55)
June 19, 2005

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

Scripture: Jesus said, “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20, NKJV

The Sunday School teacher asked her students to raise their hands if they wanted to go to heaven. Instantly, enthusiastic hands shot up and were waving all over the class - all except one boy who was sitting on his hands.
“Don’t you want to go to heaven when you die?,” she asked.
“Oh! When I die, sure,” he replied. “I thought you were getting up a trip right now.”
I think most of us are like that. We want to go to heaven - someday, but not right now.
However, in the words of an old spiritual song;
“Everybody talkin’ ‘bout Heaven ain’t goin’ there.”
Jesus Himself affirms this, saying, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Mt. 6:21, NKJV)
Jesus speaks often of heaven, including the model prayer, which begins,
“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” (Mt. 5:9-10, NKJV)
Heaven - the place of everlasting bliss - might more properly be called “paradise” to distinguish the abode of God, Christ, The Holy Spirit, Angels and The Just from the firmament (heavens) containing the sun, moon, stars, planets, and other heavenly objects. Hebrews 1:11 and 2 Peter 3:10
note that the heavens (firmament) will pass away, but the abode of God will endure for eternity. God created the heavens and earth to declare His Glory, Righteousness, and Wisdom. (Ps. 19:1; Ps. 50:6; Prov. 8:27)
The redeemed can look forward to Joy, Rest, Peace, Righteousness, Service, Reward, Inheritance, Glory, and the Authority of God’s Word. (Luke 15:7, 10; Rev. 14:3; Luke 16:19-25; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 7:15; Matt. 5:11, 12; 1 Peter 1:4; Romans 8:17, 18; Ps. 119:89)
Some things are indeed lacking in Paradise. You won’t find Marriage, Death, Flesh and blood, Perishable things, Sorrow, Pain, The Curse, Night, Weeping, and Wicked people, End. (Matt. 22:30; Luke 20:36; 1 Cor. 15:50; 1 Cor. 15:42, 50; Rev. 7:17; Rev. 22:3; Rev. 22:5; Isaiah. 65:19; Rev. 22:15; Matt. 25:46, Rev. 22:5)
The alternative to ‘Paradise’ is not a nice place, described as a place of eternal torment, everlasting fire, punishment, destruction, of Outer Darkness and a Lake of Fire. (See Matt. 25:41, 46; 8:12; 2 Thess1:9 and Rev. 19:20)
So - you need to be certain your name is recorded in heaven. (Luke 10:20) You must be saved, born again, of water and the Spirit. (John 3:3-6, 3:16, 5:24; Acts 16:31)
That’s a lot to read, I know. (I also know many won’t take the time!) Well, add one chapter more, from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 15. There will come a day when you will be glad you did, and you, too, can exclaim, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? (1 Cor. 15:55)
June 19, 2005