Seeds For Thinking

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

Scripture: “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14, NKJV)

So how was your last flight? No, I don’t mean by commercial carrier. You do use a flying auto, or at least a helicopter, don’t you? After all, we were all supposed to by using them by the 1980’s, or so the prognosticators envisioned in the 1950’s. Thankfully, that didn’t come to pass. We, the people, seem to have enough problems keeping the more conventional vehicles between the lines and out of harm’s way. Imagine what it would be like to have people slip-sliding all over the place.
It works the other way, also. Sure, Dick Tracy had his two-way wrist radio at a time when conventional communication devices were large and bulky. But who could have foreseen the day when so much is done with such small gadgets. We talk, we text, we compute, we multi-task. Our simplest devices contain more computational power in one, small integrated circuit chip than UNIVAC in the mid century past. And takes pictures, too!
We marveled at a phonograph disc that was called an LP (Long Playing) and contained more than a couple of songs. The player was mostly mechanical, bigger than a bread box. Then along came the wire recorder (remember those?) and tape decks - reel to reel. First, audio, then video. I have in my pack-rat stash examples of most of the formats, including 8-tracks, cassettes, CD’s and DVD’s.
My computer has a little age on it, but no way to play the floppy disks in my collection, not even the little 3 1/2 inch jobbies. I once wrote much of my own software, in BASIC, and a few more advanced formats. Haven’t needed that knowledge, lately.
The ubiquitous Sony Walkman has joined the list of the lost. I have an old Apple II computer on the shelf, and a couple of Commodore 64’s, also. Film. Remember film? An old box camera got me a ribbon in the antique department at a fair. There was 16 mm, 8 mm and super 8. I’ve even got film cartridges. Just pop ‘em in and hit ‘play’.
Speaking of “The Way It Was,”I once could (and did) strip down an auto engine, grind the valves, and rebuild it. New spark plugs every - what? - a few thousand miles. Now I am lucky if I can figure out how to raise the hood!
Predicting the future is an ‘iffy’ business! Chances are, we’ll get it wrong. "The best laid plans of mice and men,” etc. 1
We seem to still be in the age of “wars, and rumors of wars.” Jesus said that these things will come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately. ( Matthew 24; Luke 21 His predictions concerning the temple and the city of Jerusalem were fulfilled with the destruction in 70 A.D., by the Romans.
The final end times have not happened. Jesus warned that many would come, with deceit in mind, false prophets, leading souls astray. The war against the Lamb (Revelation 17:14) can not be predicted, nor should it be. John cautions, in his closing comments to Revelation, against adding to or taking away from the words in the book of prophecy, for God shall take away his part from the Book of Life. Further, God will add to (anyone who would attempt to change God’s Word) the plagues that are described by John.
These things are beyond our control; we should leave them in God’s hand. That does not mean that we give up, and do nothing, however.
I have heard it said that to plant a fruit tree is to plan for the future. There is another form of “planting” and pruning for a fruitful life.
James relates that wars and fights come from among us, from our desires, our lusts, our spending of our resources on pleasures. We want to be a friend of the world. Prune these things from your life! Rather, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee. Be humble in the sight of the Lord; He will lift you up. Be patient! Pray for the afflicted, the sick, for one another. (James chapter 4)
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:17,18)

1 No matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it. The saying is adapted from a line in “To a Mouse,” by Robert Burns: “The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley.”

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

* Be Prepared
* Scripture: "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:6, NKJV.

"Wars and rumors of wars" - surely we have plenty of evidence in our time, but does this mean that the end times are near? Many think so, but others are not so sure. Jesus also said that there would be famines, pestilences and earthquakes. We have those, as well. More evidence?
Perhaps, perhaps not. Jesus also said that all of these things would come to pass, but would not necessarily signal the end time.
Jesus also said that no one except the Father knows the date and time - not even the angels in heaven. (Mt. 24:36) Further, He foretold the coming of false prophets, deceivers, those who will show great signs and wonders "to deceive, if possible, even the elect." (Mt. 24:24)
Chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew's Gospel are well worth rereading from time to time, just to keep us on track. In addition to the second coming, these chapters include the parables of the Two Servants, The Ten Virgins, The Talents, and the judgment of the Blessed and the Cursed (sheep and the goats.)
Jesus raises many things to think about in these discourses and parables. Wars and rumors of wars should be the least of our concerns. He said, "He who endures to the end will be saved." (Mt. 24:13)
Think about the message contained in the Parable of the Ten Virgins: We are to be prepared, vigilant, ready even if the 'coming of the bridegroom' is delayed. "Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." (Mt. 25:13)
Be a wise servant, faithful in doing the work of the Master, for the reward for the evil and unfaithful servant is not a pretty one. Just reading it is enough to send shivers up and down your spine! (Mt. 24:45-51)
Ignorance is no excuse. Neither is the false security of doing nothing because you don't see The Master right there looking over your shoulder. Use all that you have for His sake; treat everyone as if they were The Lord Himself. Think about it: We are all created in His image.
Wars may come and go; strife is as old as humanity itself, and will continue until the end time. Remember, in that final moment, though the world and all that it contains will pass away, Jesus will not pass away, nor will our soul. That moment will determine if we will be with the group going into everlasting punishment or with the group of righteous who will spend eternity with Christ. (Mt. 25:46)
June 11, 2006