NOVEMBER EDITION...2019...WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE

                                                By Dr. Keith J. Wise

INTRODUCTION:  November is a wonderful month, filled with the continued reminders that harvest has come and the blessings of thanksgiving are upon us. As we begin to see the ebbing of 2019 and the prospects of 2020 we are reminded where our sources of thanksgiving emanate. Long before the modern science of psychology a psychiatry, God the creator of all of us thrust forth the principle of thanksgiving. Giving thanks is truly the sign of a healthy outlook on life.  All of us would benefit from doing it more often.

Being thankful and thinking about our blessings will flush out the anxiety of daily life. We certainly bring to mind those peoples, places and things that are readily around us.  Family, jobs, security etc. all encompass our universe of thankfulness.  Furthermore, that simple quiet reflection on our source of thanksgiving comes from God and we acknowledge Him. He has sent His counselor (the Holy Spirit) to administer healing to our minds and hearts.  Scripture tells us, "...it is a good thing to give thanks unto God...it is good to give thanks to Him..." (Psalm 92:1).  In the New Testament there is the injunction  "...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God"(Phil. 4:6).   To be honest, we could go on and on with the numbers of passages that include what I like to call the vitamin of "Thanksgiving" for the heart, mind and soul.  I once knew an Elder in a church that I served who lived to be over a hundred years old.  He told to begin as a young man to be thankful for "everything" that comes your way in life. Furthermore he added, it will extend the quality and attitude of all you do he so wisely counseled. 

So today my readers, do not be troubled by the latest news reports, or issues of pressure you are facing daily, but pause and thank God for what He has done.  Such questions as "what are you teaching me today in my relationships or how can I make my present situation glorify you?" Overall, this will jettison so many triggers of our modern life through the portal of Thanksgiving.

I. DIGGING DEEPER... A Practical Application to Personal Problems

   In his book, The Carpenter and You, Dr. Karl Menninger, a well know psychiatrist from the past from Topeka, Kansas, discusses a number of personal problems.  Much of this book has some real insights into problems often brought on by our own conduct with others with whom we deal on a daily basis.  In his referenced book, the author cites eleven rules governing our conduct.  I believe your will find them practical and meaningful in the coming month of November. 

1. Be truly interested in the happiness and well-being of every person with whom you work.  Attempt to learn the first name of every person with whom you work and interact. 

2. Control your temper, and even if you don't feel like it, when at all possible, with a good, warm attitude.

3. Be slow to condemn but be ready always to praise, to compliment, to show appreciation.

4. Ask no more of another person than you are ready to give.

5. Be quick to ask forgiveness when you make a mistake.  Be quick to forgive another person when he apologizes. 

6. Ta which Jesus was keeping with his disciples.  ke a real interest in the welfare of your company, community and other inner-related communications.  He notes, if we do our work well as possible you will inspire others around you.

7. Develop the imagination to see significance in your work, no matter how humble it is.  Recognize the place of the person or persons who works over you and let him/her know that you recognize that place.

8. If a person blows up or is mean or acts badly, don't resent it.  Remember, that no man is big enough to hate and every person is really big enough to appreciate.

9. Be kind, as much as possible, in every contact with other people.  Be gentle.

10. Be the kind of person you want the other person to be, then more than likely the business of getting along well and with others will take care of itself.

11. Remember in a dispute that a solution is found not by fixing blame but in giving understanding and mutual helpfulness. To get along happily, do not be so eager to find who is right, as what is right.  Find that, then act on the basis of it.

II. DID YOU KNOW???- Interesting Questions and Biblical Answers...

1. When and What did Jesus sing? (Answer) "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." (Mark 14:26).  In the margin it has "psalm" in the place of "hymn" in a number of translations.  This occasion was the regular Passover supper which Jesus was keeping with his disciples.  It was the Jewish custom as the Passover supper unfolded to sing "The Great Hallel" which consisted of Psalms 113 to 118 and 136.  The part of this which was sung after the meal was Psalm 115 to 118, or, according to the Jewish school of Shammai, 114 to 118.

2. Where was the only library mentioned in the Bible? (Answer) In Ecbatana, Ezra 6:1-2. "Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.  And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record..."  Marginal references give "books" in place of "rolls," and "Ecbatana" in place of "Achmetha."  Evidently the writer was hazy on his geography and thought that Babylon included Media.  Ecbatana was the capital of Media.  Probably the house of the books was one building int eh group known collectively as he palace.  Most scholarship now know that he books were very likely not "rolls" but clay tablets.

3. What author gave a copy of his book to an officer and told him to tie a stone to it and throw it into the river?  (Answer)- (Jeremiah), Jeremiah 51:59-64 (RV)   "... Now Seraiah was chief chamberlain.  And Jeremiah wrote in a book all the evil that should come upon Babylon...And Jeremiah said to Seraiah, 'When you come to Babylon, then see that you read these words, ...An it shall be, when you come to the end of your reading of this book, that you should bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of the Euphrates: and you shall say, 'Thus shall Babylon sink,and shall not rise again...' "

III. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... A Sermon for Thanksgiving

   (In part, a contribution of Mr. John Robinson-Minister's Luncheon Study-(1998)

A.  Text: Ephesians 5:20; I Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

B.  Introduction: The Bible teaches us to give thanks in every circumstance of life.  At times this seems hard to do, however it is possible.  All of us have much to be thankful for as we express our gratitude to God. By using the letters of the word THANKS, this acrostic will enable us to focus on this great spiritual, physical and emotional vitamin as we move toward the holiday of Thanksgiving.

1. THORNS:  

    A. James 1:2-4 tells us our trials work to bring the best out of us in Christ. 

    B. In trying times, we have God's help, knowing He is all sufficient. 

    C. We know that "all" things will work together for the good.  The trying times are just pieces of a picture, without which the picture would not be complete.

2. HOME:

    A. How often have we wanted to make home improvements simply because we want something different?

    B. How often have we let family members be the source of getting on our nerves?  Then do we begin complaining when we become so lonely? 

    C. Be thankful!!

          1. We have shelter from inclement weather.

          2. We have privacy and a place to regroup our resources.

          3. We have loving memories therein, even if only of loved ones now gone.

          4. We have a "safe haven" form the storms of life and literally outside our door.       

• A Family Prayer of Thanksgiving: "Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes: it shows we have good food to eat.  Thank you for this pile of dirty laundry: it reveals we have nice clothing to wear.  I'd like to thank you for these unmade beds: it gives testimony that all were comfortable last night."             

      

  3. AMERICA:

        A. The miracle of our representative republic known as the United States of America is truly masterful. We can voice our approval or disapproval without the fear of prison or death.  Pulpits can still ring with the voices of the prophets and teachings of Jesus, the Son of God.  Praise God for our freedoms.

        B. We live in a land of vast prosperity and conveniences that we forget that most of the world sees our poor and laughs.  You can still get an education and find work if you are motivated.  Praise God for our prosperity...God shed His Grace on Thee...(America).

4. NEARNESS OF GOD: 

     A. We are never alone!!  He has come to establish a "relationship" with us.  He knows when the sparrow falls and He has number the hairs of our head.

     B. He knows and understands us.  He became like us, so we could become like Him.

Consider: Illustration: The Footprints in the Sand Poem-

  5. KINDNESS AND LOVE SHOWN TO US:

    A. We often take for granted His mercy and grace to us. When we realized how much God through Christ has done in His kindness, it teaches us to be kind to others. 

    B. How often has someone done a small deed just to help us out? How about your local Church assembly?  Simply, the Christian exhibiting love.

    C. We have the love of our mate, our parents and our children and friends. I know you can think of other like your neighbors and so on.

  6. SALVATION:

   A. The sacrifice of Jesus, the Son of God, for our sins.

   B. We have freedom from guilt and the eternal consequences of sin.

   C. We can look forward to our heavenly home prepared for us.

Conclusion: In these and many others, let us say THANKS to God and to those around us.  We best demonstrate our thankfulness to God as we submit our lives to His will and obey His commands.  

IV. QUOTABLE QUOTES:  

Note: All of the following quotes are from A.W. Tozer.

1. Many times we try to rest our faith on texts and promises. True faith can rest only on the character of God.  I believe, and I have faith, because I believe in the One in whom my faith is placed. 

2. Faith wakes at the voice of truth but responds to no other sound.

3. The great test of faith is if we can wait on God, not push it, and expect immediate results and action.

4. Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

5. If you do not know who God is and what God is like, your faith will never mount up. 

OCTOBER EDITION 2019... WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE...

                                               by Dr. Keith J. Wise

I. INTRODUCTION: In the month of October the leaves are turning and thoughts of Summer are fading. In Michigan and in many parts of the Mid-West and New England, this annual event presents some awesome experiences in what the locals call "leaf peeping."  This little phrase is a way to say we appreciate and sometimes become vividly aware the glory of color of the changing scenery around us.  I was born and lived in the industrial city of Steubenville, Ohio.  My section of town was called Lincoln Heights. Here "baby boomer" children and youth grew-up in safety and discovered the world.  My grandmother lived on the other block and it was my custom to walk between 549 Dresden Avenue and 506 Lincoln Boulevard. Often in the Fall I remember seeing any number of trees shed their leaves and provide a series of glorious reviews on sunny days and even on those rainy fall gloomy days.  My 5th grade teacher use to say to us, "...the changing of the colors of the leaves, remind us that God's tapestries are beyond words..."  I would second that motion and encourage you, no matter where you live to talk walks and see the ever changing world in the month of October.

II. DIGGING DEEPER... Some Interesting Details Concerning the Bible...

I believe I ran this series of materials in one of my earlier blogs, but I thought it was interesting and informative and thought you would enjoy reading it again. 

The Bible as a library of books, has blessed the world with its message from its Judaeo-Christian roots. It has been loved and cherished in one setting and despised and ridiculed in another.  However, it has endured the challenges and perversions of its message for the ages and is still the "best" seller of all volumes.

The Bible is spoken of to be the Sword of the Spirit (Eph.6:17). Therefore, one desiring to be a disciple of the Lord should spend time in its study in order to prepare, meditate and share it with others, and when necessary, correct false teaching that is not aligned with its clear historical and theological injunctions (II Tim.2:15; 3:16; II Peter 3:15).

The numerous translations of the Bible will have similar statistics that I will be sharing here, but for all intents and purposes, we will digest the King James Version.  The (KJV) contains 3,566,480 letters, 773,746 words, 31,102 verses, 1,189 chapters, and 66 books.  There are 39 books in the Old Testament, and 27 books in the New. The Bible is composed of writings from about 40 men, writing over a period of some 1600 years; from 1500 B.C. to A.D. 100.  It was primarily written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic.

The word "Jehovah" appears 6,855 times; "Lord" 1,853 times; "and" occurs 46,277 times and the words "reverend", "grandmother" and "gnat" appear only one time each.  The book of Esther has ten chapters, but the words "Lord" and "God" are not found within it.  The shortest chapter in the Bible is also the middle chapter, Psalm 117.  The middle verse is Psalm 118:6; the middle book of the Old Testament is Proverbs; and the middle verse in the Old Testament is II Chronicles is 20:13.  The shortest verse in the Old Testament is I Chronicles 1:25; and the longest is Esther 8:9. 

In the New Testament, the middle book is II Thessalonians.; the middle chapter is between Rom.13 and 14; the middle verse is Acts 17:17; the shortest verse is John 11:35 in English, but in I Thess. 5:16 in Greek.  The longest verse in the Bible is Esth. 8:9, which is ninety words. The longest word in the Bible is in Isa.8:1; and all the letters in the alphabet are found in Ezra 7:21, except the letter "j".  Two chapters in II Kings 19 and Isaiah 37, are almost identical.

The Bible holds the distinction of being the first book printed with movable type, in 1450.  The first Bible printed in America was in the native American language, by John Eliot.  The King James version was published in 1611.  The American Standard version was published in 1901, and the New International version was completed in 1978. Revisions has been made in it and any number of other translations and paraphrases have followed.  The Bible was divided into chapters by Cardinal Hugo in 1250.  The New Testament was divided into verses by Sir Robert Stephens in 1551.  The entire Bible was divided into chapters and verses in the "Geneva Bible" which was translated in 1560.  This was also knows as the "Breeches Bible" because it read, "They sewed fig leaves together and made themselves breeches." (Gen. 3:7)

The Red Letter Edition Bible was a product of Louis Klopsch.  He was the first editor of the "Christian Herald" magazine.  He printed the Red Letter Edition in 1901.  He based it from Luke 22:20, "This cup is the new Testament in my blood, which is shed for you."  He reasoned that all blood is red, thus Christ's words should be in red, as a constant reminded to the reader.

The Bible has been translated into almost every language and dialect in the world.  It is the only book that gives a definitive answer to the question of man's origin, mission and destiny.  Above all else, the Bible is a textbook on salvation, and should be seriously examined and studied, then carefully accepted and obeyed, and lastly, it should be religiously taught unto all men.  It is to that end that this material has been gathered for your interests and edification. (Note: This material was in part the product of Dr. Hoyt Allen, at the time Evangelist with the KYOWVA Evangelistic Associated of Ironton, Ohio)

III. DID YOU KNOW??? How Could All the Animals Fit in the Ark?

This is one of those surface questions often ask by honest people and some skeptics seeking a few answers concerning the universal flood of Genesis.  There are some statistics and logic that answer in practical form this question and others in regards to the capacity and dimensions of the Ark.

John Whitcomb and Henry Morris, in their book, The Genesis Flood, did an exceptionally thorough job of analyzing the data  relating to the physical dimensions and carrying capacity of the ark.  They noted that the ark would have been 437.5 feet in length, 72.92 feet in width, and 43.75 feet in height (given from 17.5 inches per cubit). 

The ark had three decks (Gen. 6:16), so the total deck area was approximately 95,700 square feet, and the total volume 1,396,000 cubit feet. The gross tonnage of the ark would have been approximately 13,960 tons, which is comparable to some large, modern day vessels.

The carrying capacity of the ark would, therefore, be equal to 522 standard railroad stock cars, each of which could carry 240 sheep.  The ark could have accommodated at least 125,000 sheep.  Additionally, Genesis 6:14 tells us that besides having three decks, nests or rooms were constructed to house the animals. Beside all of this, we now know from genetic information that the ark would have been a virtual "gene pool" for future procreation and adaption in a post flood world.  A known writer in this field is Frank Lewis Marsh.  He has noted that "...over 500 varieties of sweet pea have been developed from a single type pea since the year 1700; and that over 200 distinct varieties of dogs, that are different from each other as the dachshund and the collie, have developed from a very few wild dogs." 

III. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... A Sermon: "Who's That Beside You?"

Text: I Timothy 4:16-18

Introduction: No mater your age or place in life, sooner or later you will need someone to stand beside you and with you. Such was the case of the Apostle Paul who finds himself in Rome having been put on trial with no one to stand with him. Demas, a Christian brother and co-worker had deserted him, Paul said, "having loved this present world," and only Luke had returned. (vs.11) He recounts a man by the name of Alexander the metalworker who had "done him great harm..." (vs.14).  So in this circumstance Paul gives us a hint how we can endure and thrive even in the midst of rejection and pain.

A. Believe: (have faith)- 

     Edwin McManus, a Christian writer has said: "You and I were not created to believe in nothing."  But believing in God is not something done for our own sake.  Trusting belief in God enable us to believe in each other. He empowers that perspective.  We also need people around us who believe in us.  Let's be honest, isn't it great to have people in your life who believe in you?  In short definition, we would agree with the 19th century poet Cyprian Norwid who wrote: "...To be what we define as happy we need to have, 1)something to live on ("meaning"), 2) something to live for ("purpose"), 3) something to die for ("destiny")."  These are all wrapped up in the drama and tragedy of life.  Jesus provides all the above and more...with much more to come.

B. Belong: (Community)

     As a people we are here making the Church one community of faith and love. Only such genuine belonging can fill the void inside each of us.  Realize that in this imperfect community here, you will let people down and they will let you down.  As much as we would like, no human being will ever love you the way you want to be loved, basically because of our own imperfect perceptions of love and life.  (Illust: Fred Rogers of "Mister Rogers" fame, built his whole program on the idea that everyone longs to be loved and longs to know that he or she is lovable.  Like it or not, we belong to others at some level.

C. Become: (Grow and Mature)

     If you stop and think bout it, we are one of the few creatures in God's creation that can become "more" than we are from every perspective. Our more noble-self can emerge in the midst of any crisis we face.  This can happen both for us and for others.  We often hear about frailty and weakness, which is self evident.  But when Christ enters the picture a new confidence and new direction emerges.  We need the positive challenges of life and friends to help us.  Let us look beyond our confines, beyond our restrictions and fears to positive answers and life.  As we look to Christ today we are enabled to go beyond yourselves to grow and mature.  

Conclusion: (Poem-"I believe...") So Believe, Belong, Become and gain that new perspective.

IV. QUOTABLE QUOTES... Words to Live By or Ponder...

1. "It is not enough to learn the tricks of the the trade...you must learn the trade." (Ben Franklin)

2. "One of the most important lessons that experience teaches is that, on the whole, success depends more upon character than upon either intellect or fortune." (William Edward H. Lecky)

3. "The aim of education should be to convert the mind into a living fountain, and not a reservoir.  That which is filled by merely pumping in, will be emptied by pumping out..." (John M. Mason)

4. "...within man's reasoning he pardons his actions through the court of his mind" (William Locksey)