Seeds of Greed

Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. ~Ecclesiastes 10:1~

Flies were just a way of life in ancient Israel.  No refrigeration, few preservatives--you had to expect something like this to happen.  Stinky things were a nasty part of life.  Sometimes even in modern life we have to put up with powerful, nasty smells.

But do our lives stink?  Whether or not they do depends on how we act.  It doesn't take much to have a foul smell emanate from our lives.  A little dishonesty or selfishness, and actions that once smelled like perfume instead smell like dead flies.

Some of today's corporate leaders have begun to smell like defunct flies.  Their greed has impacted the lives of hundreds--even thousands --of employees and investors.  While they've lied about their companies' bottom line, they've impacted the lives of thousands who have lost their jobs and money.

Not only do actions like that stink to us, they stink to God.  Those who are found out lose the respect of others and pay a price, It may not consist of jail or unemployment, but it will certainly contain God's disapproval and punishment, Imaging smelling like putrefying flies to God's nose!  What could be worse?

Let's Look At  Greed  In The Bible:

The Israelites With Greed

Numbers 11:4-6

4 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”

Numbers 11:31-34

31 Now a wind went out from the Lord and drove quail in from the sea. It scattered them up to two cubits[b] deep all around the camp, as far as a day’s walk in any direction. 32 All that day and night and all the next day the people went out and gathered quail. No one gathered less than ten homers.[c] Then they spread them out all around the camp. 33 But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. 34 Therefore the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah,[d] because there they buried the people who had craved other food.

Judas With Greed

Matthew 26: 14-15

14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Matthew 27: 3-8

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 

False Prophets With Greed

2 Peter 2-4

2 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,[a] putting them in chains of darkness[b] to be held for judgment;

resources: Life Application Bible (NIV) and Everyday Guide To Success

How To Follow Jesus Fully

Do you have a heart like Caleb?

Numbers 14:24

 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.

Imagine following God fully!  What a testimony to any believer's life  aware of own sinfulness, we'd hardly claim to follow Him so well.  Caleb was not perfect any more than we are, but his heart was committed to God.  You can see that by the way he stood up for taking the Promised Land, and through the years, his hear for God never lessened.  Yet this faithful man still spent forty years in the desert, companion to the faithless Israelities.  All that time, his eyes must have focused on the promise God made here.  He would eventually see the land God had promised him and his children.  Caleb's heroic qualities appear larger than life in part because of his faithful waiting.  Despite own correct choice, he did not get an immediate inheritance.  Yet the Bible never says he whined, complained or blamed anyone else.  He displays impressive composure.  

How to Follow Jesus

Mark 8:34-37

The Way of the Cross

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Are You Ready To Follow Him?

resources: Life Application Study Bible,  The Everyday Guide To Success, 

America is A Modern Day Babylonia : Statue of Liberty The Role She Plays...

She is spoken about in the Bible.

Jeremiah 46:24 New International Version (NIV)

24 Daughter Egypt will be put to shame,

    given into the hands of the people of the north.”

Revelation 18 New International Version (NIV)

Lament Over Fallen Babylon

1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted:

“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’[a]

    She has become a dwelling for demons

and a haunt for every impure spirit,

    a haunt for every unclean bird,

    a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.

3 For all the nations have drunk

    the maddening wine of her adulteries.

The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,

    and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.”

Warning to Escape Babylon’s Judgment

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

“‘Come out of her, my people,’[b]

    so that you will not share in her sins,

    so that you will not receive any of her plagues;

5 for her sins are piled up to heaven,

    and God has remembered her crimes.

6 Give back to her as she has given;

    pay her back double for what she has done.

    Pour her a double portion from her own cup.

7 Give her as much torment and grief

    as the glory and luxury she gave herself.

In her heart she boasts,

    ‘I sit enthroned as queen.

I am not a widow;[c]

    I will never mourn.’

8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her:

    death, mourning and famine.

She will be consumed by fire,

    for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.

Threefold Woe Over Babylon’s Fall

9 “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,

    you mighty city of Babylon!

In one hour your doom has come!’

11 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.

14 “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,

    dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,

    and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!

17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’

“Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:

“‘Woe! Woe to you, great city,

    where all who had ships on the sea

    became rich through her wealth!

In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’

20 “Rejoice over her, you heavens!

    Rejoice, you people of God!

    Rejoice, apostles and prophets!

For God has judged her

    with the judgment she imposed on you.”

The Finality of Babylon’s Doom

21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:

“With such violence

    the great city of Babylon will be thrown down,

    never to be found again.

22 The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters,

    will never be heard in you again.

No worker of any trade

    will ever be found in you again.

The sound of a millstone

    will never be heard in you again.

23 The light of a lamp

    will never shine in you again.

The voice of bridegroom and bride

    will never be heard in you again.

Your merchants were the world’s important people.

    By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.

24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people,

    of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.”

Ezekiel 38:11 New International Version (NIV)

11 You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars.

Concerning Speaking in Tongues

You don't have to speak in Tongues to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:2-25 Speaking in Tongues

2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless
someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.  10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[d] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written:

“With other tongues
    and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
    but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”[e]
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.  23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

John 16-4-15 The Gift of the Holy Spirit

4 I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, 5 but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Commentary:Speaking in Tongues (1 Corinthians 14;2-25)

Paul's words to the Corinthians about tongues and prophecy have much to say to our generation.  Many Christians struggle with the discussion of tongues.  Paul would clearly say that no one should put down those Christians who speak in tongues, and those who speak in tongues should not disparage those who do not.  Paul makes several points about speaking in tongues: (1) It is a spiritual gift from God (14:2); (2) it is a desirable gift even though it isn't a requirement of faith (12-28); (3) it is less important than prophecy and teaching (14:4) Believers need unity and love.  The  enemy is not each other but the sinful world, Satan, and our selfish, sinful desires.  But Paul would have another word for today; "I would like everyone of you to speak in tongues."  Although Paul himself spoke in tongues, he stresses prophecy (preaching) because it benefits the whole church wile speaking in tongues primarily benefits the speaker.  Paul would encourage us to be so in tune with the spirit that his messages of comfort, encouragement and edification would be heard in our congregations today.  make sure your action are encouraging and edifying.

Commentary: The Gift of the Holy Spirit (John 16:4-15)

The truth into which the Holy Spirit guides us is the truth about Christ The Spirit also helps us, through patient practice, to discern right from wrong.  Jesus said the Holy Spirit would tell them "what is yet to come"--the nature of their mission, the opposition the would face and the final outcome of their efforts .  They didn't fully understand these promises until the Holy Spirit came after Jesus' death and resurrection.  the the Holy Spirit revealed truths to disciples that they wrote down int the books that now form the New Testament.

NO EXCUSE SUNDAY

To make it possible for everyone to attend church next Sunday, we are going to have a special “No Excuse Sunday.”  cots will be placed in the foyer for those who say, “Sunday is my only day for sleeping.”  There will be a special section with lounge chairs for those who feel that our pews are too hard.  Eye drops will be available for those with tired eyes from watching TV late Saturday night.  We will have steel helmets for those who say, “The roof would cave in if  I ever came to church.”  “Blankets will be furnished for those who think the church is too cold and fans for those who say it is too hot.  Scorecards will be available for those who wish to list the hypocrites present.  Relatives and friends will be in attendance for those who can’t go to church and cook dinner, too.  We will distribute “Stamp Out Stewardship” buttons for those who feel that the church is always asking for money.  One section will be devoted to trees and grass for those who like to seek God in nature.  Doctors and nurses will be in attendance for those who plan to be sick on Sunday.   The sanctuary will be decorated with both Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who never have seen church without them.  We will provide hearing aids for those who can’t hear the preacher. 

Controlling Your Anger Pleases God

 

James 1 :19-20

Qualities Needed in Trials

¹⁹ So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; ²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Proverbs 29:22

²² An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.

Commentary:
Uncontrolled anger does not lead to righteousness.  When you allow your anger to control you, you are not submitting to the Holy Spirit, which includes longsuffering (patience) and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  Anger is an outward sign that you still need inward transformation to be more like Christ.  When you develop the fruit of the Spirit and control your anger, God is pleased.  Uncontrolled anger is sin, it results in bitterness, resentment, and hostility.  Just as with any other sin, uncontrolled anger can also lead to physical or emotional damage to other people and to you.  If you struggle with uncontrolled anger, God offers forgiveness and help.  "But now you yourselves are to put off all these anger, wrath malice blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth (Colossian 3:8).  Confess your sin to God and pray for His transformation in your heart and mind.  Uncontrolled anger is a response that comes from your former nature and it must be unlearned.  "Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows, corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Satan's Headquarters Part 2



The Lord said, "Where have you come from Satan?"  The Lord did not immediately banish Satan from His presence, but actually had a conversation with him.  Therefore, we know that in the time of Job, Satan still had access to the presence of God in heaven.  10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.  For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down." (Revelation 12:10 NIV) 

The "accuser of our brothers" is Satan.  Notice that at this time he is still accusing God's people before God day and night.  Revelation 12:11-12.  11 "They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.  12"Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!  He is filled with fury because he know that his time is short."

That passages indicates that Satan still has access to the presence of God, and he uses his access to accuse God's people in the presence of God.  Clearly, all the above passages that I have quoted refer to periods long after the original rebellion of Satan.  So what is the answer?  there is more than one heaven. I believe this is clearly indicated all through Scripture.  For instance, in the first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, it says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  The Hebrew word for heavens is shamayim,  "Im" is the plural ending.  The first time heaven is introduced, it is introduced in the plural.

In 2 Chronicles 2:6, we have this utterance of Solomon in his prayer to the Lord at the dedication of the temple:  "But who is able to build a temple for him [the Lord], since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him?" (NIV)  Where the translation says, "the highest heavens," the Hebrew says, literally 'the heaven of heavens."  Either translation clearly indicates there is more than one heaven.  The word "heaven" of the phrase 'heaven of heavens" suggest a heaven that is as high above heaven as heaven is above earth. Amen

Bible Trivia Fun: Climbing Jacob's Ladder

Climbing Jacob's Ladder (Bible Trivia)

Learn about the Bible and have fun doing it. Pass this on to your family and friends and see if they can reach the top of the ladder

1. In what chapters of Matthew and Luke are the Lord's prayer found?

Chapters 6 and 11
Chapters 1 and 5
Chapters 20 and 21
Chapters 15 and 16


2. Where did Job live? Look in the book of Job

Tarsus
Jerulsalem
Uz
Chicago


3. Who told Jacob to flee after he stole his brother's birthright? Look in Genesis

Esau
Abraham
Eve
Rebekah


4. Who was Herod's borther and former husband of his wife, Herodias? Look in Mark

Elijah
Phillip
Peter
Samson


5. Who was the only known daughter of Jacob?

Sarah
Tamar
Dinah
Sasah

Did you reach the top of Jacob's ladder?

Touch of Jesus' Love

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.  He that believeth on the son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:35-36

Because God loved Jesus, He gave us to Him, and He gave Him to us.  In that act, we became inextricably bound to the love of the Godhead.  We can't fathom how God did it or why.  Why us and not others?  If we're honest, we know we didn't have anything that made us so special that we deserved eternity.  So why did God choose you and maybe not he coworker next to you?  He alone knows.  Be glad that He loves you.  But don't let it end there.  Share the love of Jesus with others around you.  Maybe you're not good at preaching, but you can show what God is like by being honest.  You can show His caring by lending an ear to a coworker who's going through a personal crisis.  You can offer your condo-dwelling coworker some tomatoes from your garden when you have a bumper crop.  You may never hear that person pray to receive Him, but your coworker may just have felt the first touch of Jesus' love.

Use me, Lord, wherever You want to.  Show me how to share Your love today.