Author: Jim

Some Day …

Most little girls dream of a handsome prince charming coming on his white steed and sweeping them off their feet and whisking them away to live happily ever. Either because of Cinderella or perhaps the story grew because of dreams.
June has developed as the wedding month, why June? There are many legends and customs. Here is one: The goddess Juno (for whom June is named) was the protector of women in all aspects of life, but especially in marriage and childbearing.
There are many customs connected with weddings. Even in the Bible, we see development of weddings.
Genesis 2:23-25 ADAM and Eve First mention of WIFE Genesis 3:6 HUSBAND
Genesis 24:57-67 … First Ceremony
Genesis 27:21 … First wedding feast
What exactly does WEDDING mean? And what does all the pomp and ceremony mean?
Origin of Wedding … (as a word) … The WED was the purchase money (or equivalent) which the Groom gave to the Bride’s father, either before or after she became his wife.
Three basic types of marriage:
Marriage by capture (usually force)
Marriage by purchase
Marriage by Love
Religion and Marriage never really came together until after the COUNCIL OF TRENT … a valid catholic wedding had to consist of two or three witness’s and be preformed by a priest.
Prior to this time (around 1500) weddings consisted of two people deciding to live together.
Usually, it was the decision of the man.
SOME OF THE CUSTOMES THAT DEVELOPED AND STILL REMAIN:
The ENGAGEMENT … the time between betrothal and the wedding, is not today what was.
One ancient custom among common people was the breaking of a piece of gold or silver, one half to the girl and the other keep by the man, thus sealing their vow of marriage. In ancient Ireland, a man gave his girl a bracelet of woven human (his) hair (pity the poor bald man). The engagement ring can be traced back to 4 BC. Engraved in one found was the Greek word equivalent to HONEY.
The WEDDING RING … also traced back to ancient Egypt, symbolizes a tie for eternity. It was made out of every conceivable type of material, varying in sizes, many times to large to be worn. (Hebrews did not wear ornamental jewelry). It symbolizes for the woman … subjugation. For the man … bondage.
The very finger the ring is worn on has a lot of symbolism. The left hand symbolizes Subjection…The right hand symbolizes Power, Authority. The finger chosen is thought to have a nerve or vein that runs directly to the seat of love, the heart. It \was chosen because it is guarded on both sides by other fingers and it is the finger least used.
The WEDDING SHOES … also a symbol of authority. The bride’s father gave the groom one of his shoes which meant the authority for the bride passed from father to husband. His first act was to tap his bride’s head. The shoe is illustrated in the story of Ruth.
RICE AT WEDDINGS … symbol of fertility or productiveness. Fruit, Nuts, Wheat, Barly have also been used. Even cooked Rice (still wet) has been used. Among primitive tribes, throwing rice was done to ward off the demons … Rice was also offered to keep the soul of the Groom from leaving the Bride … The bride has also been beaned by rice cakes.
The WEDDING CAKE … a carry over from eating of special foods and the wedding feast … it’s size and shape is traced back to Northern England where many small cakes were prepared and then stacked. The Groom was to try to kiss the bride over the stack and a successful completion (not knocking any part of the stack over) meant a long and happy life together … A French baker saw a problem and developed the idea of cementing the cakes together with frosting … Hence the wedding cake.
The HONEYMOON … a remanent of the days when the Groom had to capture his wife and literally hid out with her to avoid her family or tribe. The word comes from Northern Europe where the young married couple drank a kind of wine made from honey for the firth month of their marriage … thus, the Honey Month became the Honeymoon. It symbolizes the period of sweetness and delight.
For more about WEDDING PRACTICES AROUND THE WORLD
Continue Some Day Part 2

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True Christians

How does one know they are a True Christian? The Scripture gives us signs:
1 A New Birth:
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
2 A Growth
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
2 Peter 1:5-6 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
3 A New Garment
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Zechariah 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
Matthew 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
 Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Revelation 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

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Believers Should Be

BELIEVERS OF THE BIBLE
That it is the literal and infallible word of God
LED
By the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the spirit
HAVE
The Father’s Heart for the lost, the poor, the elderly, the widow and the orphans
A HOUSE
Shall be called a house of prayer. Prayer is the foundation of all ministry
WILL
Be called the servants of the Most High God. We are here to serve Him in ministry
IN EVERYTHING WE DO
We glorify our Lord. It is our love for Him that compels us
Standing Firm
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

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Restoration

A look at repentance …
There is a lot taught about repentance … “I’m Sorry”
SORRY, about what? What you did? Or That you got Caught?
Paul says there is a difference …
2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
What is true repentance …
Read Matthew 21:28-32 Parable of the two sons
Luke 15:11-32 Parable of the lost Son
True Repentance is Deciding to change … THEN doing it!
Repentance involves more than being sorry … it involves restitution.
The son repented an restored his father’s faith
The lost son repented and was willing to work as a slave
Restoration … the act of paying back or making right.
Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-8
What does the LAW say …
Exodus 22:1-4 Restitution for theft
Leviticus 6:2-5 Restitution for Deceit, Lying, Perjury, Robbery
Leviticus 24:14-22 Restitution for death of man or beast
Who is to be restored?
Numbers 5:6-7 “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way[a] and so is unfaithful to the LORD is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged.

Repentance, Restitution without it there is no joy in salvation.

David the example … Psalm 51:12-13 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.

RESTITUTION begins with Prayer and Ends with all parties restored.

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SAMUEL Called by God

God Called Samuel – to do His work.
WHY? 1 Samuel 2:26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.

Ever wonder why God hasn’t called you? Could it be:

Lack of dedication.
We all want to serve … IF it doesn’t interfere with other plans.
Church attendance … IF nothing else comes up.
Not sure how to serve … Service opportunities:
Teach Sunday School, Sing in choir, Usher, Door greeters, Nursery Worker, Bus Driver, Church Cleaning, Decorating, Visitation, Soul winning …

Habitually late for appointments.
5-10 minutes … never on time … you are cheating others.

Don’t keep your word.
Promise to do something … and don’t
Promise to be somewhere … Don’t show up (or arrive very late).

When you fulfill 1 Samuel 2:26, you’ll be hearing from God.

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Things

Listed in Proverbs …
Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 30:7-8 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

Proverbs 30:15-16 The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

Proverbs 30:18-19 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

Proverbs 30:21-23 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat; For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

Proverbs 30:24-28 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.

Proverbs 30:29-33 There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up. If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

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Wine – Did Jesus Drink?

Image result for falstaff’s complete beer books

Following was gleaned from: “FALSTAFF’S COMPLETE BEER BOOK”, “CROSSMAN’S GUIDE TO WINES, SPIRITS, AND BEERS”, “WINE, An introduction to Americans”, ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, and Most important, THE HOLY BIBLE, The Word of God.

Note: The first four books all refereed to the Holy Bible, and presented alcohol and drinking in a ‘glorious and fun’ way. The Holy Bible is not so generous.

This message will mainly address the topic of Wine, in particular,
Did Jesus drink Wine?
Many who drink today defend their drinking by saying Jesus drank!
This message will NOT be addressing the following:
a. Statistics of work, money time and lives wasted because of drinking.
b. The destroyed homes, defiled innocence, misery and poverty brought about by those under the influence of too much drink.
c. Also will not go into detail about the –
-youth who shot his father after drinking 17-20 beers
-father who knifed his wife and 3 year old son after a week of drinking
-drunken husband who doused his sleeping wife with a beer glass full of gasoline and then lit her on fire
-5 month old child who died of neglect and exposure and laid dead in his own crib for 5 days while his drunken parents argued who should call the doctor
-all night teen drinking party that ended in a deadly game of Russian roulette
-drunken father who killed his 3 week old baby with a red hot poker, by inserting it in all the natural body openings
-or any of the other hundreds of gory stories that appear in our daily newspapers every year because of drinking
d. NOR will it review any of the senseless deaths that occur on the highways (daily) because of the “I can drive better when I’m drunk” attitude.
NO, what this will attempt to do is dispel (usually by Christians) the justification of drinking, BECAUSE Jesus drank wine.

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In Remembrance

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN THE BIRTH OF THE LORD JESUS WAS …
How the Angels announced His birth.
How the shepherds came to the stable.
How the Magi came to the house years later.
DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN THE LORD WAS 12 EARS OLD …
How he disappeared from his parents.
How they found him in the Temple.
The look on their faces when he said “I must be about my Father’s business”.
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW THE LORD BEGAN HIS MINISTRY …
How he came to John the Baptist.
How he looked as the Holy Spirit descended upon him.
How he looked when he returned from the wilderness.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST YEAR …
The way he chose the twelve.
The miracles he performed and the healings.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE SECOND YEAR …
How the people flock around just to touch him.
To hear him teach with authority.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE THIRD YEAR …
How the people started to turn away.
How they commented “His teachings were too hard”.
The raising of Lazarus … The entrance into Jerusalem.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE LAST SUPPER …
How solemn the occasion was … How he taught eternal truths.
The Comforting thoughts about going to Heaven.
The washing of the disciples’ feet, and Peter’s comments.
DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED IN THE GARDEN …
The agonizing prayers he offered … sweat as unto blood.
The Guards coming to arrest him … the angry crowd.
The kiss from JUDAS. Peter cut off the Guards ear.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE TRIALS HE FACED …
How he spoke not a word.
How he faced the high priest, Pilate, even King Herod.
DO YOU REMEMBER PILATE TRYING TO FREE HIM …
“I find no fault with this man”.
How he tried to offer Barabas, instead of the Lord.
How the crowd cried “Away with him, Crucify Him”.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE CROWN OF THORNS …
The Humiliation, the spiting, slapping, hitting, beatings, pulling hair from beard.
The purple robe, the mockery, the reed and the cries, “Hail king of the Jews”.
How they tried to make him carry his cross. How Simon was compelled.
DO YOU REMEMBER GOLGOTHA …
The cross on the ground, the thud, thud, thud as nails were driven into hands and feet.
The agony on his face as the cross was lifted and then the hollow, empty THUD
as the cross dropped into the hole.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE ANGERY MOB …
How they slandered, they cursed, they railed against him.
“If thou be the son of God, come down from the Cross”. “He saved others, himself he cannot save”.
“If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and w will believe him”.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE TWO malefactors …
How they also mocked him. One said “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us”
The other said “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom”.
The Lord said” … today shalt thou be with me in paradise”.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE WORDS FROM THE CROSS …
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”.
“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit”.
Remember. Remember … WAIT a minute …

Continue In Remembrance Part 2

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National Day

There are over 1500 National Days, Weeks and Months in the USA.
Many of them are laughable.
Just get on the internet and search National “…. “ to find them.
Here are just three of them:

August 11th, National Sons and daughters Day. First celebrated in 1944.

Fourth Sunday in July, National Parents Day.  First celebrated in 1994.

First Sunday after Labor Day in September, National Grandparents Day an official holiday in 1988.

These are really not necessary. God has already given us instructions on how we should treat our Children (Sons and Daughters), our Parents, and our Grandparents. There are too many verses to list them here. But start with the 5th commandment. Read Ephesians 6 for starters. Psalm and Proverbs also contain many great verses of instruction. We don’t need our government to tell us how to honor our family members.

Oh Yes, Happy National Day …


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