Animal Cruelty

The righteous know the needs of their animals, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. (Proverbs 12:10)

The meaning of this verse is to treat animals with gentleness and meet their needs as best as possible.

This article shows what one person is alleged to have done. It is the absolute opposite of the Bible. It is the breaking of God's law.

Cops: Woman Drowned Puppy In Airport Toilet After Not Being Allowed To Board Plane With Animal

After Nebraska airport workers refused to allow her to board a plane with a three-week-old puppy, a woman allegedly went into a nearby bathroom and drowned the animal in a toilet bowl, police allege.

Compassion is a Christian virtue. If it is not present in a person's life, one must one about that person's commitment to Jesus Christ.

As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

The times compassion is not seen in God is in judgment. When His law has been broken, He punishes. When someone crosses His line, then the time for mercy has been exhausted.

Let us show compassion to the animals.

The Many Forms of Lying

To honor the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil ways and false words. (Proverbs 8:13)

False words, lying, saying one thing but meaning something else. Not only does this apply to false words but also false actions.

A tale of false actions.

A pair of farmers took out crop insurance, but then did many things to sabotage their crop. After the crop failure, they would collect on their crop insurance.

One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato, Fraud

"Farmers can buy insurance to protect themselves in case they lose their crops to natural disasters such as floods, drought or hail. It also covers policy holders if prices for agricultural commodities decline and revenue drops. An article posted on ValleyNewsLive.com tells about two brothers who sabotaged their own potato crops in order to collect millions of dollars in federal assistance.

The story states…"

It took a while to uncover the fraud, but indeed it was. Now the farmers are going to have a little vacation—in prison.

Two other concepts from the Bible:

"But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23, NKJV). That is your sin will catch up with you and be oblivious.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7, NKJV)

All forms of lying will sooner or later be known. It is better to tell the truth.

If we all lived by God's rules, life would be better.

Parents Need to Ask Forgiveness, too

A message from Benjamin Watson

 

Today I had to ask my son for his forgiveness. Like many parents we've tried to teach our children how to treat others how they would like to be treated. We've talked about loving, sharing, and respecting each other. We teach our kids to bless others who may be less fortunate. They routinely ask us for ways they can help the homeless and hungry among us. As Christians, we teach them about the God who created them, and who sent his Son in order to bring them eternal life and relationship with himself. We pray together as a family at night and attend church regularly. Sounds pretty good huh? We are intentional about instilling values in our children because we want them to enjoy proper fellowship with their fellow man as well as their Heavenly Father. We want them to become well rounded, mature adults who are emotionally, physically and spiritually developed. AND most importantly, we don't want them to HIT, SPIT AT, FIGHT, or BITE each other, or do anything else that causes Mommy or Daddy to yell, "STOP IT" 45 times!!!!

Every few nights we sing songs before bed. One favorite goes like this,

"Be ye kind, one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another even as Christ has forgiven you. E-phe-sians four thirty two, ba dum, ba dum, E-phe-sians four thirty two, ba dum, ba dum." (Ephesians 4:32)

Honestly, when we sing that song I'm hoping THEY internalize those words and I don't have to discipline, correct or separate anyone for at least a couple hours. 
But today, I was the one who wasn't kind, or tender hearted and had to ask forgiveness from my child. Sparing all the details, I will say I became agitated because my son, instead of asking for help to get his clothes off for bath time began to cry uncontrollably out of frustration. I instructed him and implored him about what he should do and how he should ask, to no avail. The tears were in full force. At this point I became angry, my tone changed, and while I never insulted him (calling him a crybaby) I was not communicating with him in a kind, tender hearted or loving way. I was the antithesis of that song and that verse.

After quickly bathing and dressing him he went downstairs and I went to my room, convicted by the Holy Spirit. And so, I, the daddy, the teacher, the "mature" one, went downstairs and begged for my son's forgiveness. He gave me one of the best hugs I've ever had. Thank God children don't hold grudges very long!

Sometimes, parenting will drive you to your limits. These children that give us so much joy can drive us to our wits end, testing every fiber of our patience. As we teach them right and wrong we must ALWAYS be willing to DEMONSTRATE right and wrong. All the church songs, Bible verses, core values and morals will mean nothing to them as they grow older if we don't live them out in our daily lives. This includes admitting our shortcomings. We must be willing to humble ourselves and ask them for forgiveness when we mistreat them. In word, thought or deed, it will happen. Even the most devoted parents will fall short of perfection at times. When this happens we must be willing to show our children, that while they must obey us, we in turn must obey God. And if that means a 34 year old telling a 3 year old he's sorry, and asking for forgiveness. So be it.

Now I'm the one in tears.

What are the odds?

Evolution happens by just plain luck or happenstance. There is no reason, no intelligence, or guidance. So what are the odds that a functioning protein would just happen to be formed?

This article, Comparing the Odds: The Seahawks Game Versus...Evolution? explains.

"Even the most die-hard Seattle fans would agree that the odds of last week's Seahawks win were quite small. They had to come back from a 12-point deficit in the last three minutes of the game. At that point the odds for a win were only 0.1 percent.

CBS Sports said:

According to the win probability graph from ProFootballReference.com, the Seahawks only had a .70 percent chance of winning the game after Wilson's pick [interception at 5:04 to go] -- that's less than one percent.

Believe it or not though, things actually got worse after that. Seattle's chances of winning fell to .10 percent at the 3:07 mark after Wilson threw an incomplete pass to Jermaine Kearse.

So what won the game? For the Seahawks to take the championship a combination of intelligence, skill, and luck had to come together. But I'm betting it was mainly intelligence and skill that gave the breathtaking win to the Seahawks. It would be highly unlikely to have happened by chance alone.

Why? A chance of 0.1 percent…"

This is essentially improbable. To win the game took intelligence, not random happenings. Even though the Sea Hawks won against seemingly impossible odds, it was not just a random happening.

The same can be said for evolution.

Lesson 6

Lesson 6; God's Word must be the absolute authority.

 

A1 Objectives

B1 Describe Jesus's use of Scriptures to refute error.

B2 Recognize the authority of Scripture over tradition.

 

A2 Scripture

B1 Matthew 15:1-20: The Tradition of the Elders

B2 Mark 12:18-27 The Resurrection

B3 2 Timothy 2:14-26 Practical tips for living a successful Christian Life

 

A3 Notes

B1 The Tradition of the Elders

C1 The Scribes and Pharisees came from Jerusalem to ask Jesus a question.

C2 Why don't your disciples wash their hands before they eat?

C3 Tradition of the Elders was considered equal with the Old Testament in matters concerning belief and conduct. From ISBE, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 3 classes of oral tradition.

D1 An oral tradition of quotes from Moses. These cannot be proven. Some religious groups still claim that they have traditions of Jesus's words that are not recorded in the Scriptures and they are equal to the Scriptures. Others have sayings today direct from Jesus himself.

D2 Decisions from highly respected Jewish religious judges.

D3 Interpretations of Scriptures given by a select group of highly regarded rabbis.

C4 Jesus answered their question with a question of His own.

B2 The Resurrection

C1 Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the body

C2 Though they had a fool proof argument against the resurrection.

C3 Asked Jesus a question, "Who would have the wife if she had 7 husbands (each dying before remarrying)?

C4 Jesus didn't hesitate to answer that they did not know the Scripture, not the power of God.

C5 No marriage in heaven.

A4 Questions

B1 Was washing hands a commandment of God or tradition of the Elders?

C1 How they wasted their hands

D1 The minimum amount of water is 1/4th of a log (the volume of 1.5 medium sized eggs) and must reach the middle joint of the fingers. If you use more, you are blessed.

D2 With a cup/glass.

E1 The water after use must not touch the clean one.

E2 Someone else can do the pouring, or if alone must use a ritually cleanable container with two handles.

E3 The container/cup/pitcher as ceramic, metal, or plastic--basically a material that does not absorb like paper cups, etc.

E3 It is to be poured 2 (some say 3) times on one hand. (Fingers down, then fingers up)

E4 Then do the other.

E5 The right hand is cleaned first, then the left.

E6 Then rub the hands together using friction to clean debris.

E7 While you are pouring the water you must offer this prayer, "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Thy commandments and has commanded us concerning the washing of the hands." (According to an article by Rabbi Dr. Louis Jacobs).

E8 After washing the hands, they need to be dried with a clean towel.

D3 Failure to do this is the same as unchastity or hanging out with a prostitute and is subject to be kicked out of the congregation.

D4 It was expected of Messiah to adhere to the strictest interpretations of the elders.

D5 Image:

C2 For what reasons. This list is from Wikipedia and based on the Traditions and Writings of the Elders.

D1 Some types require a special vessel and with some it is OK to use tap water.

D2 Hands

E1 Done with a blessing prior to eating

E2 Done after eating so as not to have impurities in the eyes

E3 After a full night's sleep or even a long nap.

E4 After touching

F1 Parts of the body that are normally covered as back, private parts, arm pits, etc.)

F2 Inside of the nose

F3 Inside of the ear

F4 The scalp (not just touching the hair)

F5 Leather shoes

F6 A ritually unclean animal

F7 Cutting your hair or nails

F8 Taking off your shoes

F9 Visiting a cemetery

F10 Sexual intercourse

F11 Expulsion of body fluids

F12 Participating in a funeral or coming within four cubits of a corpse.

F13 During the Passover meal before eating certain vegetables

F14 By a priest before offering a blessing on the people.

F15 Some would have before prayer, thus signifying purity before God.

D3 Body (thus a bath)

E1 A woman after her period

E2 Some Jews do on Friday afternoon before the Sabbath starts

E3 Upon conversion to Judaism.

E4 The day (eve) before certain special feasts (Passover, etc.).

E5 Before burial

E6 Before ascending the Temple Mount

C3 It is true that priests had required washings/baths before working/ministering in the Temple.

B2 Why did they put so much emphasis on the teaching of the Elders?

B3 Jesus was accused of violating the teaching of the Elders, but He showed plainly where they violating the teaching of God. How did this affect those Sadducees?

B4 Jesus calls them hypocrites. Is this the nice thing to say? (He's just telling the truth.)

B5 What does verse 11 teach us about what we say? (Certain food may defile an Jew, but certain type of talk is worse.)

B6 What do verses 19 & 20 say about defilement?

B7 How and when do we know to answer people's questions?

C1 A lot depends on their attitude. Do they want to know or are they asking a bunch of questions without even listening to the answer or worse just to trip up or make a teacher look stupid.

B8 Is the resurrection taught in the Old Testament?

C1 For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27 NKJV)

C2 Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead. (Isaiah 26:19 NKJV)

C3 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2 NKJV)

C4 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, (Luke 24:46 NKJV)

D1 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. (Psalms 16:10 NKJV)

D2 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matthew 27:52-53 NKJV)

B9 What Scripture did the Lord Jesus quote from? (Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. (Exodus 3:6 NKJV))

B7 Why didn't the Sadducees know the Scriptures of the power of God?

C1 They didn't believe God.

C2 They had a problem with their method of interpretation.

B8 What was the goal of the Sadducees in asking Jesus this question?

C1 They wanted to believe that He is not the Messiah.

C2 They wanted others to trust them rather than Jesus.

C3 They did not want to admit that Jesus was correct and they were wrong.

B9 How to we answer people with questions like this?

C1 The Scripture says...

C2 Interpret the passage in its plain, normal sense.

B10 2 Timothy 2:14. What are two things is Timothy to remind the believers of?

C1 Not to quarrel over words.

C2 Arguing does no good.

B11 How are we to apply this today?

C1 Yelling, screaming, getting in someone's face will not convince anyone. It will only harden them.

C2 Point out the truth. Speak the truth. Don't whitewash their spiritual condition.

B12 What is the word of truth? (Bible and Gospel).

B13 How do we rightly divide the Word of Truth? (A commentator, Alford, put it, "to manage rightly to treat truth fully without falsifying. Found in the Believer's Bible Commentary comment on 2 Timothy 2:15).

B14 What are profane and idle babblings? (They are nonsensical theological discussions as how many angels can dance of the head of a pin?). Where does that type of discussion lead to? (Ungodliness)

B15 Hymenaeus and Philetus taught false doctrine. They taught that the resurrection is past. How could this have been avoided?

C1 Interpret the Bible in its plain, normal sense in context.

C2 Continue in right doctrine as taught in interpreting the Bible in its plain, normal sense.

B16 In 2 Timothy 2:22 what are youthful lusts?

B17 What is worth pursuing? Is this happening in the churches today? What are church people searching for today?

B18 What's the best way to correct someone in fault? (As in wrong doctrine or lifestyle).

B19 What is the snare of the devil and what does it do to people?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God Repents. What?

The Lord's Repentance


Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis 6:5-8, NKJV)


The word for repentance here conveys the idea of heavy breathing as in panting or sighing. It depends on the context. If it is to be understood as something good, then it will be translated comfort, etc. If the context is something negative, then it will be translated as being sorry, change the mind, etc.


In a good sense:

1. 1 Chronicles 7:22
   


2. Isaiah 40:1
   


3. Zechariah 1:17
   

In a bad sense:

1. Genesis 6:6
   


2. Job 42:6
   


3. Jeremiah 20:16
   

The basic sense, again, is an emotional change of mind, thus comfort, repent, be sorry for, etc.


So God did not commit a sin that He needed to repent, that is, change of character, rather it was an emotion of seeing things good and happy about it to seeing this evil and being sad about it.


K&D has "The force of יִנָּחֵם (nâcham), "it repented the Lord," may be gathered from the explanatory יִתְעַצֵּב` (atsab), "it grieved Him at His heart." This shows that the repentance of God does not presuppose any variableness in His nature of His purposes. In this sense God never repents of anything (1 Samuel 15:29), "quia nihil illi inopinatum vel non praevisum accidit" (Calvin). The repentance of God is an anthropomorphic expression for the pain of the divine love at the sin of man, and signifies that "God is hurt no less by the atrocious sins of men than if they pierced His heart with mortal anguish" (Calvin). The destruction of all, "from man unto beast," etc., is to be explained on the ground of the sovereignty of man upon the earth, the irrational creatures being created for him, and therefore involved in his fall. This destruction, however, was not to bring the human race to an end. "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." In these words mercy is seen in the midst of wrath, pledging the preservation and restoration of humanity." Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament on Genesis 6:6.


 

Another comment: "A peculiarly strong anthropathic expression, which, however, presents the truth that God, in consistency with his immutability, assumes a changed position in respect to changed man" (Lange). That he had made man on the earth. i.e. that he had created man at all, and in particular that he had settled him on the earth. And it grieved him at his heart. A touching indication that God did not hate man, and a clear proof that, though the Divine purpose is immutable, the Divine nature is not impassible." Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 6:6.

Impossible Questions?

"Answering Bugliosi's Unanswerable Questions

In his book "The Divinity of Doubt," former prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi argues that agnosticism is the only sensible position to hold. But the book never gets to the heart of the Christian message. Instead, Bugliosi trots out the usual challenges to faith, mocking believers along the way with taunts about how his questions have never been, and cannot be, answered. Here's a sampling of his "can't be answered" questions: At the very beginning of the book, Bugliosi claims that theists have not a single fact to support their position. "By fact I mean a truth known by…" 

Are there really unanswerable questions that "prove" God cannot exist?

True Christianity is based on faith. This faith is a REASONABLE faith, not blind faith.

Most atheists that I have dealt with demand proof that has no possibility of doubt. They accept only what their senses "know". Eyewitnessed events are not accepted except from themselves and even then it might not be accepted.

Al Serrato provides the answer. A very good read!