Three Sieves to Purify Your Tongue

 Wednesday, January 27, 2016

“If any man thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (James 1:25).

 Hey gang, did you know that gossip thrives on suspicion, mistrust, and a lack of confidence in others?  But it can also gain strength even in honest misunderstanding.  In my younger years I drove a truck in Lancaster, PA, and picked up bulk milk at 54 Amish Farms.  

I was truly blessed to be accepted and trusted by the Amish farmers and had many friends among farmers that I serviced.   

One day, when I arrived at the Deacon Amos Zook Farm, I found a very irate Amos.  He was very quick to tell me there was a blasphemous situation that was taking place in his home Church Body.  It seems one of his parishioners was using electric lights to motivate his hens to lay more eggs and electricity was one of those modern conveniences that was a ‘no – no’- in old line Mennonite and Amish homes and farms.

Although the members of Amos’s Church did not have telephones, it did not take it long to spread the dastardly act of rebellion throughout the whole community: the gossip wheels began to turn.  But, after a brief investigation, it was learned that Brother Sam’s indiscretion was the result of a misunderstanding of what Deacon Amos had suggested that Brother Sam do to motivate his chickens.

It seems Brother Sam’s hens were just not motivated to lay eggs in the number that he expected, so, he sought the advice of the deacon who suggested Sam try the vitamin and electrolyte mixture that the local feed store had in stock.  This he did. Now I was not privy to whether the hens did indeed lay more eggs, but I was made privy to the fact that there would be a meeting of the Sanhedrin that very day to address the electrolyte issue.

It then dawned on the Deacon that he may have been the seed planter of this dastardly deed when he suggested that Sam purchase the vitamin and electrolyte mixture which the young chicken farmer took to mean “electric light”.  The mystery was soon solved, the young man corrected the error of his ways and peace was restored to the community.

Unfortunately, not all gossip can be laid to rest with so much relief and touch of humor.  By simply pulling of the plug, brought Brother Sam back into fellowship with Deacon Zook and his brothers.    I believe that is what James was talking about when he wrote, “…yet he who does not bridle his tongue, deceives his own heart”.  Notice he does not stop there but went on to give warn “the gossipers religion is worthless”.  

 So, my young buckaroos, if you have a season when your chickens are not laying and you lack wisdom as to what to do, don’t seek out Deacon Zook, but rather seek wisdom from the One who stills the waters and has an abundance of wisdom about chickens, having created them. And “let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).  Oh, by the way, this is also the recommended problem -solving route when you hit the clinkers in the road!

Blessings,  

Gramps

Poof! Gone!!!

 

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:40-42).

 “I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left”(Luke 17:24-35).

 Hey Gang:  Several nights ago I had a terrible and very frightening dream.  I was out in the woods working, came in for my afternoon coffee and one of Jean’s delicious snacks but, when I got there, I could not find her.  I looked all over the house. No Jean.  The car and truck were in the garage.  And there was no note on the refrigerator telling me where she had gone.

 And as I ran to and fro in a nervous dither, the above verses began to resonate in my mind.  When at the apex of my dream, I heard the door close and there was the bride-of- my-youth who had taken a walk and stopped by the neighbors to swap stories.

 But the more I thought of that dream the more I felt God sent it to me for a purpose.  It has always amazes me that so few people have any comprehension of what that time, referred to as the “hereafter”, really is.  When one looks at the context of existence, we note that in reality we are just preparing ourselves for that period referred to as ‘eternity’ and this is but a proving ground for that experience. 

 I do not believe there is a more frightening verse in the Bible than Rev. 20: 15: “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”  The fabulous part of that verse is the “if”.  It is God’s desire that none perish, but all must choose to have their name recorded in His book of life (2 Pet.3:9).

 I tend to think of those who read this ‘morning thought from gramps’ as a part of the choir, whose names are securely recorded in the Lamb’s Book. But each day we cross paths with many who are not. The wonderful part of the story is – the story does not end with Rev 20: 15- it is followed by the fabulous description of what awaits those whose names are listed the ‘Lambs Book of Life’!!

 Soooo, Pray, today, that God will send you a person who needs to hear the wondrous story of Yeshua, God’s gift to all who choose to accept Him as Lord.

 Blessings,

 Gramps

 

Friday, January 30, 2015

I am always amazed where the Holy Spirit takes me as I continue to select from over 10 years of Blogs.  We are five years later and Jesus still says, “Look UP…” Only when Jesus was born as a baby did ‘Eternity melt into out time.” God does  recon time as we do!!

"But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near"  (Luke 21:28).

  Does that get your blood to boiling?

Hey Gang:  What say you?  Jesus said, "When all of these things begin to happen, don't get panicky, look up, for your redemption draws near".  (Luke 21:28 Hillbilly Rendition).  

 What things was He talking about?  A quick review of Matthew 24, the Olivet Discourse, Second Timothy Three and the words of the prophets of old, and we can soon compile a   list of ‘signs of the end of the age’ that we should be aware of. 

 A prophesy guru was asked if he could sum up the prophetic promises of the Bible in one word.  His response, “Piece of cake, ‘Israel.’"  After twenty- five hundred years the land of Israel was restored; and, after twenty five hundred years the old language of Hebrew was restored; and after 2500 years the Olim (people living in the diaspora -those countries where they were dispersed to in 70 A.D when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and burned their Temple) began to make aliyah (to return to the land of their heritage).   

 It is amazing to me today that so many folks are being caught up in the blasphemous teaching that Israel is no longer the apple of God's eyes.  How can you look at Israel and believe such rubbish?  How can you read Jeremiah 23:3, "Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply", or the other hundreds of verses that tell us clearly that God's love for His chosen people has not waned a lick?

 We have been there. We have dug in the dirt, (I unearthed an intact tea pot that had not been touched by human hands for more than 2000 years). We have helped restore the walls. We have worked in the rose garden of the Knesset. We have helped set up a dental clinic for Arab children in Jerusalem. We worked with a ministry that bought Olim from the old USSR, as prophesied in the Word.  We have been obedient warriors in fulfilling God's challenge to us, "To pray for the peace of Jerusalem". (Psalm 122:6).

But what about the subtle things that are happening all around us? It all adds clarity and expanse to our seeking what Jesus meant when He said, "When these things happen look up.”  Have you noticed that everything that can be shaken is being shaken as predicted by the writer of Hebrews in Chapter 12?  Have you noticed that Israel is totally surrounded by enemies that are loaded with killing devices as recorded in Psalm 83?

 Have you noticed that Russia and Iran have made a military alliance and the other nations listed in the coming battle of Gog and Magog are coming together?  As mentioned above, have you noticed Israel is a nation again, risen from the ashes of more the 2500 years.  They are a powerful nation that will not be defeated by those nations that are using the very words of Psalm 83:4-5, "They have said, "Come and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more."  For they have conspired together with one mind; Against You they make a covenant".

 Have you noticed that the economies of the world, including the once powerful United States, are in a state of chaos?  If Jeremiah were here today and prophesying, he would say "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8). 

 Soooo, my young friends, Jesus said, "I do not want you to be unaware.  I want you up to speed every minute of every day.  So that when these things happen you do not get discouraged but your heart will be programmed to look up, for I am coming soon.  You best have your lamps trimmed and your best wedding clothes prepared for we are going to be taken to the greatest wedding blast of all time - the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. But there is a prerequisite, your name must be on the invitation list recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life.” (Hainley rendition).

While we wait be sure you are sharing the Good News of Jesus forgiveness and love!!

Blessings,

Gramps

 

Becoming A New Lump

 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

 

 "Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened.  For Christ our Passover also had been sacrificed" (I Cor. 5:7).  "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ be reconciled to God.  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:20-21).

Hey Gang:  I pray that each of you, who avail yourselves of Gramps and Gma's Morning Thoughts, will do a spiritual house cleaning and clean out the old leaven and recommit to being a new lump for Yeshua Ha Mashiah (Jesus Messiah) in the coming year.

 I am writing this from my study on Woodward Avenue, but it will find its way into your electronic devices from Bartlesville, Oklahoma.    What joy it is to begin this New Year here, doing some small labor of love to let those who are enduring persecution know that a Christian brother and sister loves them and is praying for them.

 As I asked the Lord for words that might dig deep in the souls of all who read His words through me, the words of John 3:16 were in such bold print.  These words are so very familiar.  As a child in Sunday School, I always used these words, along with "Jesus Wept", to get the star for the week for memorization- although they were simply words to fill an immediate need.

 But one day, I am not sure exactly when, this I know, the day was one when the sky was falling and alligators rampaging, God opened my eyes of understanding to what these words really meant. Wow, Lord, You mean You really love this worthless, hillbilly kid so much that you would send your only begotten Son, the God-man, into this world to die for me because you loved me!

 Really, Lord, did You not send the Lamb of God- who would be slain to remove the sins-burden that I had carried for so long - not to judge me and punish me -But sent Him for my indiscretions that I might be saved through Him.

 You mean I could really "be buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, SO I MIGHT WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE".?(Rom. 6:4). 

Since that day, the phrase "Newness of life" has always carried a very special meaning for me.  I once walked the Village Campus, as I did often, and came across the limb of a tree that had broken from the mother tree, but held by one thin thread, still attached. This provided enough life to keep the sap flowing through its veins.  That picture remains fixed in my head, for I saw many children and families in the same condition -but there was life! And I was determined to dig it out with "Newness of life". 

 Newness of life contains a freshness and hope that compares to the breaking forth of new life in the Spring, when God releases all the trees to bring forth their leaves, and seeds in the ground to bring forth new greenness and beauty of the flowers.

 And, what an awesome promise God gave to us when He promised, "The former things have passed away...Behold, I will make all things new. (Rev. 21:4-5).  Jesus, after listing all of the things we see happening in our world today that point to the "end of times," You concluded with this promise: "Look up for your redemption draws near"  (Luke 21:28).   

 Sooooo, "Test yourselves to see, if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!  It may be that you have never really asked Jesus to forgive your sins and asked Him into your heart.  That is His desire  - you only need to ask.  For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak, but You are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete" (in Christ)......Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made completed, be comforted, be like minded, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you".   (2 Cor. 13:5/9/11).

Blessings,

Gramps