See that you are not frightened (4)
There is a starting point, and it is small and doable. I am a proponent of growth by the small things. After all, if you fail in the small, how can you succeed in the big? But the small is practice for the big.
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See that you are not frightened (3)
My concern is facing what I cannot imagine and failing. Peter had a view of himself in his mind’s eye that didn't match the reality of being alone and in danger. Mere bravado does little when your fight/flee instincts take over.
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Amos: Verse by Verse teapaw.org/i/broadcasts/2OdXbBbmp…
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See that you are not frightened (2)
I hear Christians say, “We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.” This is a recipe for failure.
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See that you are not frightened
Do you have it in you to face the coming troubles with joyful fearlessness? Until tested, you will not know. But lay the groundwork now by appealing to the Holy Spirit to prepare you.
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See that you are not deceived (3)
I remember a psychology study where everyone was in on the game except the single subject. A presenter showed a chart with rods of different lengths, all clearly different, and asked the group which was the longest (e.g., Rod C). The poor subject would say “C,” but all the other players chose “B.” Eventually he lost confidence and began siding with the group all the time. He lived by the lie.
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See that you are not deceived (2)
But early on, a prominent Christian, G. K. Chesterton, wrote "Eugenics and Other Evils.” Using clear logic and data, he argued against the evils of the emerging consensus. In general, he addressed the harm when bad science joins with the tools of the state and the imagination of the citizenry.
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See that you are not deceived (1).
On the left is Judith Curry, a climate scientist who is critical of anthropogenic climate change. On the right is Greta Thunberg, who has no scientific training but has spoken on climate issues and impending doom before the United Nations. Guess whose voice carries the most policy weight.
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Amos: Verse by Verse teapaw.org/i/broadcasts/2ZBKmMYrO…
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Wisdom Points for the Days Ahead
This chat has a history. I started with resuming the Psalms and working my way through the remaining 75. But as I reflected on Psalm 76, I thought of the war and unrest in all the world. I reflected on the major cultural shifts in my country that my 77-year-old eyes have seen. I reflected on five Wisdom Points that are essential to live by in the days and years ahead.
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Zelophehad’s Daughters
The simplified version of the story is, “If a man dies and there are no sons to pass on his property, should it go to the daughters?” It’s possible that up to the point when Zelophehad’s daughters brought the issue before Moses, the practice was to give the property to the nearest male relative. I say this because this cannot be the first time this happened. Instead, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah came before Moses, claiming the practice was unjust.
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Slavery and the Bible
But pause for a second. Take some calming breaths and consider this question. What if this statue represented a radical change? What if YHWH spoke into an age where the thought of letting a slave go free was radical?
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Jews, Christians, and the Torah(9)
In the incident above, where Jesus spoke of David eating bread that was lawful only for priests to eat, Jesus taught that any commandment can be set aside to meet the needs of another person or animal. It might be a day of rest, but a tree fell and is blocking a road; a house might be on fire; a cow might need milking; and many other real and pressing needs. It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. To tell someone in need that you cannot help them because it is the Sabbath or for any fine religious-sounding reason harms the gospel.
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Joel: Verse by Verse teapaw.org/i/broadcasts/1RJZzBEqM…
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Jews, Christians, and Torah
A circumcised heart, a Law written on the heart, a heart of stone replaced with a heart of flesh, and a Spirit that causes one to walk in His statutes and ordinances. It’s all the same, and it is all from the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah.
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Jews, Christians, and Torah(7)
In Jesus’ blood, the New Covenant redeems us from the Torah's curses. But what if you reject this New Covenant? Without that redemption, and without a temple to offer atonement, the curses remain. As Paul wrote, “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse.”
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Jews, Christians, and Torah(6)
Such rich blessings: Peace, Prosperity, and Progeny. One need only obey all the commandments. Well-meaning Christians will have you read these verses and tell you this is the patht to receive blessings from YHWH. It’s a trap!
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Jews, Christians, and Torah(5)
It is here, that the New Covenant with Jesus as its offering and mediator adds a new dimension was added to mankind’s relationship with YHWH. Jesus is our High Priest of the New Covenant. His offering was a one-time offering to cleanse our consciences from dead works. Through Him, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
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