And Jesus said... 

  ...in John chapter 10

v. 25  The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

v. 28  My sheep...I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.

v. 30  I and my Father are one. 

v. 38  Believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in Him. 

v. 42  And many believed in him there.

  ...chapter 11 

v. 25  I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. 

v.27  (Martha said) Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.

vv. 51, 52  ...he (the high priest) prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation...and not for that nation only, but also that he would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. 

Candidates' Convictions

   Part 2

     Trump's choice, J.D. Vance, who succeeds in life despite everything against him in his youth, went to Yale looking for social acceptance among the elites. He later realized success alone could neither satisfy his desire for personal character growth nor fix societal problems. He spent several years studying and then joined a Catholic church. 

     Professor Thiel notes that his stance important to Catholics has softened. He now agrees with Trump that "American people should have access" to abortion pills. A Catholic professor sees Vance's shift as part of a GOP move away from Christianity's strong pro-life stance. 

     Donald Trump addressed the Republican convention: I'm not supposed to be here tonight. I stand before you ... only by the grace of almighty God. And ... many people say it was a providential moment. Probably was.

     He maintains ties with evangelical leaders who supported his previous campaigns. For what it's worth, he was Presbyterian as a child.  

     At a June 22 Faith and Freedom Coalition conference, Trump promised to defend religious liberty, but suggested Christians weren't upholding their end of the political bargain. As for those "who don't vote much," he asked, "Do you know how much power you could have?"

     Professor Thiel said, "Social conservatives who see Trump and Vance as the lesser of two evils may choose to stay home. Or vote third party. Professor Smith said candidates' statements may continue to shift. I think for most politicians, their policy preferences are most influenced by the people who vote for them." 

          Humbug!     

PS. It greatly matters for our collective future. For president, there is only one proven leader on the ballot. Like him or not. The other candidate will mainly serve the growing establishment of Marxists, i.e. communists. And if they gain total control, there will be no going back. No honest election in 2028 and beyond. Check Venezuela's recent "election."  We can't say we weren't told. 

Miscellaneous Christians?

     Donald Trump, J.C. Vance, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz all claim to be Christians. So, what could go wrong? 

     The label "Christian" doesn't mean much, at least in politics, says political science professor Mark Caleb Smith. He writes, "partisanship, ideology and likeability are far more important" than faith when it comes to success.

     Trump calls himself a nondenominational Christian. Vance is Catholic. Harris is Baptist. Walz is Lutheran. 

     Harris grew up attending both church and a Hindu temple. Rev. Amos Brown said, "Her religion is good because she's not a divider, she's a uniter." He cited her belief in universal healthcare and free education. Is that in the Ten Commandments? As for abortion, he adds, "No one else should rob you or me of the freedom to do what you wish with your own body, as long as you're not bothering anyone else." No mention of the living baby in the womb.

     Her running mate, Tim Walz, attends an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a liberal denomination that ordains gay members as clergy and performs same -sex marriages. As governor of Minnesota, Walz in 2020 barred churches from gathering during the pandemic. In 2023 he signed a law allowing minors to receive transgender procedures against their parents' wishes. 

     The Catholic League said, "Tim Walz is no friend of religious liberty, the rights of the unborn, and the welfare of young people." 

Continued tomorrow

Meaning of Life  

     If we could have it all...wealth, power, honor, fame, pleasure...would we take it?

     King David's son and successor, Solomon, was quite the man. You've heard of the "3 Rs." His three were revival, reform and recovery. 

     After years of war between David's people in Judah and surrounding neighbors, there was a golden age of 4 Ps - peace, power, prosperity and prestige. 

     Solomon commissioned the first Temple in Jerusalem. He placed there the gold, silver and furnishings that David had set aside, and the Ark. The Temple was for worship and an identity for God's people. 

     Solomon dedicated it with an awesome prayer. The Lord answered with a wonderful promise, and a warning 2 Chronicles chapters 6 and 7.   

     From then on, the king chased after the meaning of life, leaving no stone unturned. Eventually he became disgusted with his self-indulgence. The futility of seeking happiness - wealth, power, honor, fame, pleasure - apart from God - left him empty, meaningless, disillusioned. 

     In Ecclesiastes we find Solomon's regret. "Everything, wisdom, pleasures, toil, riches - everything is meaningless." The later chapters reveal his conclusions about life. Worth reading for sure. 

     Chapter 12:13-14: "Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

     In the New Testament, Jesus summarizes the whole law: "Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself."

     

When in the course... 

     Anyone seen George W. lately? Or, Thomas J.? We would like their opinion. And John A. What would they - these founders of our Republic - think about Kamala H.? Founders...some of whom gave their lives for our independence. 

     We want to know what John M. and James M. would say about her running mate Tim W. Would Benjamin F., who signed the Constitution with tears streaming down his face, be silent? When Democrats begin to destroy the amendments that they hate? 

                           of human events...

     What might Patrick H. and Abe L. think about Kamala H. trying to run out the clock? Well...Abe L. knew his opposition had two candidates who would cancel each other out...so he did not campaign. But Abe L. went to war, four difficult years, and brought our nation back together. It cost him his life.

     In more recent years, we had Teddy R. and Ronald R. to protect our freedom. How might they react, watching a political convention marked by revelry, not issues? 

                                                       it becomes necessary... 

     Our original leaders supported "legal" immigration for our forefathers, yours and mine. Today's leaders are flooding our nation with all kinds of people - no need to answer 100 special questions. Thousands of children are not accounted for. That issue alone is enough reason to vote her...  OUT OF OFFICE. 

"Fragile as reason is and limited as law is, as the institutionalized medium of reason, that's all we have standing between us and the tyranny of mere will and the cruelty of unbridled, undisciplined feeling."

                                                                     Justice Felix F. 

Do You Mind? 

     A few weeks ago, we offered words that describe the human heart and soul, positive or negative. Again, this isn't our beating heart, but our character, not physical like our brain.

     Our heart, soul and mind continue on after our physical nature, including our brain, dies. So, our heart and mind have enormous importance, while our brain is also important, but only for a time.

     As someone whose brain is just average, I won't mind leaving my brain behind. 

     Never mind. 

     As with our hearts, our minds can be positive or negative, depending on how we're raised and how we deal with life when we begin making our own decisions.

     Our mind can be positive, dependable, clear, open, mindful, willing, faithful, steadfast, peaceful and willing to unite with others who share these characteristics. We can enjoy self-control and understanding. 

     On the downside, poor parents or guardians, our playmates and those we meet, may unite us with the wrong crowd. That could make us anxious, depraved, unfruitful, hostile, worldly, proud, mentally blind and self-centered. Even dangerous. In those circumstances, there are people whose minds choose a better way.

     What about our physical brain? It is so complicated atheists don't even go there. It's the organ that controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, hunger and other processes. Treat it well. Keep it sober. It can be a good soulmate. 

            Jimmy

Divine Guide 

     John Newton was active in the slave trade. 

     Then he found Christ, and the rest of his life totally changed. He wrote the well-known hymn, "Amazing Grace." 

     He also wrote the following:

Begone unbelief, my Saviour is near, 

And for my relief will surely appear; 

By prayer let me wrestle and He will perform;

With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm. 

Though dark be my way, since He is my guide,

Tis mine to obey, tis His to provide; 

Though cisterns be broken and creatures all fail,

The word He hath spoken shall surely prevail.

                                         John Newton

More Wisdom 

    John chapter 9

v. 31  "...if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him."

v. 39  "Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind."

      Chapter 10

v.v. 2-4  "But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ...and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice." 

v. 9   "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture." 

v.v. 10-11  "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." 

 v.v. 15-17  "As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also must I bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. Therefore, My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again."  

From Our Vice President

     Friends, we devote this blog to a few remarks VP Harris made in her acceptance speech Thursday night. In case you didn't tune in... 

     We need someone who believes that "individual Americans know how to better run their lives than any government bureaucrat could." 

     We need a president who "enjoys lowering taxes and eliminating government waste for all Americans." 

     We need someone who says "You (citizens) can play a special part in this future. You'll be its author."

     We need someone who will "go down in history as the president who made Americans believe in themselves again."

Opps!  Oh oh!  So sorry! 

     Yours truly makes mistakes. But this is inexcusable! 

     The quotes above belong to the late President Ronald Reagan. 

     Your blogger, Jimmy Donut, apologizes for the error. 

😉 😊 😒

     

And the Next Appointed Time is...

   Part 2

     "How long, Lord?" Prophet Habakkuk asks. There was violence, injustice, strife, pride, aggression, crime and immorality.

     "Be amazed," the Lord answers. Although this wasn't what the prophet wanted to hear. Babylonians were coming. Wicked nations destroy other nations without mercy. Nations exhaust themselves for nothing. In our times as well.  

     "For the revelation awaits an appointed time. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. ...but the righteous will live by his faith. Has not the Lord Almighty determined that the people's behavior is only fuel for the fire.  

     "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him." 

     In chapter 3, God reminds them of the exodus from Egypt. Then he tells how he will someday upset the earth - mountains, rivers, the sea. The sun and the moon will stand still. His wrath on mankind will be a "day of calamity." 

     The prophet concludes, "I will rejoice in the Lord, joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to go on the heights." 

     Today, not only is Israel surrounded, but the foundations of the worldwide church are shaken. We plead with the Lord. 

     Habakkuk served God not for his benefit, but because God is God. In the midst of judgment, we can rejoice. A remnant, the faithful, will receive the ultimate victory...at the appointed time. 

#

 

Will Ultimate Victory Ever Come? 

     Part 1 of 2

     We live on Morning View Dr. Well named. At sunrise, the early morning angle allows sunshine underneath the clouds. Some mornings are just spectacular. Sunsets can do the same.

     We inhabitants of earth are not so glorious. Not that some women - and men - don't work hard to look radiant, or handsome. 

     The behavior of some of us is cloudy, stormy, cold, dark or dreary. It was so in Bible times as well. 

     Prophet Habakkuk about 600 B.C. struggled to understand why God was not doing his job, so to speak. Babylonian expansion raked Judah three times. The third attack - the temple burned, and Jerusalem was destroyed. 

     Most of God's people were backslidden. God used the deplorable of mankind to enslave his own. See the book of Daniel. God also had an appointed time, when surviving Jews would rebuild and Nebuchadnezzar would be no more. 

     Sovereign God does everything at his appointed time, so let's not try to scuttle his schedule. We live by faith, not by understanding. 

     Habakkuk knew most of the people had gone the ways of the world. God would allow, but comes a day of reckoning at the appointed time. The prophet wanted to help the godly remnant comprehend God's ways. He had honest inquiry, unshakeable faith, and concern for revival. 

Tomorrow: Revelation awaits appointed time

So long...it's been bad to know ya 

     As we write this, Tuesday afternoon, President Biden has made his one and only appearance at the Democratic convention. Did anyone besides me "forget" to watch? 😏

     Has any other U.S. president taken a back seat to his vice president six months before his term ended? We know of assassinations, and other presidents who may have run out of gas before their term ended. But Joe Biden is a story of his own.

     He began his climb 50 years ago and made it to the top of the world...although four years later than he "deserved" it. Barack Obama maneuvered Hillary Clinton into the 2015 race, infuriating Biden. That rift will probably never be healed. There is no forgiveness in the world of politics. 

     Didn't he use his eight vice-president years plus his current term to milk millions of dollars from foreign sources...with his son's help...to enrich his family and himself? Did that not make him happy enough? 

     What little we know, he went to Washington at age 30 with a big ego, but he wasn't a Marxist. Over the years, as communist types grew in power, Biden - never mind his All-American speeches - caved to their wishes. Finally, losing support, no longer needed by the party, he anointed his hard left vice president. 

     There is concern over what our enemies might attempt in the months between a Trump victory and Scranton Joe's exit January 20. If Harris wins the election, she won't need Iran and others to destroy us.  

     So, he made it to the top of the world. But Jesus isn't looking there. He is on the streets, searching for faith, goodness, self-control, perseverance, godliness and brotherly kindness (2 Peter 1:5-7). And humility.  

              Jimmy

FBI and Secret Service Collude 

     Judicial Watch often sues the government to obtain information it is hiding. 

     Here's a sample, a telephone recording on Aug. 11, 2022:

Yes, hi, this is Special Agent (redacted) from FBI (unintelligible). We met on Monday (the day of the raid on Donald Trump's home). We have a couple of specific follow-up asks of you, um, so give me a call so we can discuss that. My number is (redacted). Again, my name is (redacted). Thanks, bye.

      Judicial Watch got the recording through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Dept. of Homeland Security regarding the raid. The lawsuit also sought any video or audio recordings made during the raid on August 8, 2022. 

     Company president Tom Fitton said, "This recording is real-time evidence of the Biden Administration's operation to abuse Trump by raiding his home. His team is continuing to piece together the details of the conspiracy to launch an unprecedented and malicious raid on the home of Biden's chief political opponent." 

Something to think about

           Jimmy

The Homeless Man 

     Would we respect a fool, (socially) weak, not honored? 

     Take advice from a homeless, hungry, thirsty man in rags?

     Praise the slandered, scum of the earth, refuse of the world? 

     The Corinthians in Bible times had accepted Christ - somewhat - but they were still worldly, quarreling, selfish, prideful, jealous, arrogant and immoral. They were...  

     "Mere men." Who said that? 

     It was Paul, the Pharisee of Pharisees, whose life turned upside down after encountering the risen Christ. Everything you read above are from Paul's self-description in 1 Corinthians chapter 4. 

     Paul had visited Corinth and had much more to teach. He would have nothing to do with superiority, status, pride, boasting, etc. He wouldn't even judge himself. Nor did he accept payment for his missionary work. "The Lord judges me," he wrote. 

     Paul was at times persecuted, slandered and imprisoned. Our commentary says this can be the lot of believers united with Christ, opposed to immorality and Satan himself. It is said that Paul was martyred in Rome. 

     Before Jesus was nailed to a cross, he told his disciples, "Take up your cross and follow me." How do we do that? What cross? It is the fellowship of sharing in Christ's suffering (if it comes). And it still happens today. 

     This world is not our home. True honor, reward, glory ... if we deserve any ... comes in God's world. We don't seek it here. 

     Someone is keeping records on each of us mere men and women. 

More Wisdom for Us  

    John, chapter 8

v. 32   And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

v. 36   Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

v. 38   I speak what I have seen with my Father.

v. 42   I proceeded forth and came from God; ...He sent me. 

v. 50   I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 

v. 51   Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he shall              never see death. 

v. 58   Jesus said to them, before Abraham was, I AM. 

If Not Honest Presidents...

     Miracles?

     These days may look confusing and potentially dark. But God can provide a worldwide awakening.

     In 2 Kings, chapter 4, a prophet had died, leaving a sizeable debt for his widow, left with only a small flask of oil. A creditor was about to take her two sons as slaves. 

     She took her case to Elisha, a prophet, who told her to gather lots of jars and pour oil into them. She was to sell the oil to pay the debt and use the rest to live on. The oil was miraculously multiplied. 

     In those days, the Promised Land was divided. Israel's kings and most of Judah's kings were wicked. People had abandoned God to serve idols. The widow's husband had been one of those who continued to be faithful. 

     No doubt it was hard for neighbors to fill large empty jars, and for her to sell the oil. But miracles may follow obedience. 

     We may not need oil, but we need a revival. A missionary lists preconditions: walk humbly before God, confess our sins, receive forgiveness, and pray. 

     If we want revival and miracles, we must go to the One who says, "Nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37). 

Assemblies of God newsletter 

Humility Anyone? 

     We just read an 18-page Wikipedia article about William Wilberforce, an Englishman who with others, especially Thomas Clarkson, struggled for years to convince the empire to abolish the slave trade. In the process, he became a Christian, not a common lifestyle in that morality lost era. 

Maybe he learned "the way" through Scriptures: 

     He guides the humble in what is right... Psalm 25:9 

     The meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.  Psalm 37:11

     With justice He will give decisions for the poor...  Isaiah 11:4. 

     Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord...  Isaiah 29:19

     Seek the Lord... seek righteousness... seek humility... Zep. 2:3

And in the New Testament

     Come to me... I am gentle and humble in heart...  Matt. 11:28-30

     The fruit of the Spirit is love, kindness, gentleness...  Gal. 5:23

     Be humble and gentle, bearing with one another in love.  Eph. 4:2 

     Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility...  Col. 3-12 

     Remind the people to be subject to authorities, obedient, ready to do whatever is good, peaceable, considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.  Titus 3:2

Heart of the Matter 

     We often hear people talk about hearts. "He has a big heart." "Her heart is in her children." "They have hearts of gold."

     We all have beating hearts that pump necessary blood through our veins. So, what is this other "heart?" 

     It is a word for our thoughts, our attitudes, our behavior. The brain is certainly involved. But it will go to the grave with the rest of our body. The invisible heart/soul/mind God gives us will live on...in either of two destinations. If everyone believed and understood this, ours would be a far different world.

     Interesting! We begin forming our hearts in childhood. If we develop the attribute of "trust," it is a road we travel through life. We can trust some, not all, people. God wants us - requires us - to trust him. No matter what. 

     Other roads we might travel include honesty, truth, love, humility and sacrifice. Also, there is justice, devotion, joy, repentance, faith, purity and other traits. 

     We assume the Lord welcomes hearts like this.

     Then there are roads others of us have taken: attitudes of deceit, greed, malice, slander, envy, arrogance, pride, anger, hypocrisy and other potholes. 

     We can pretend to have virtues we really don't. We might get away with it, because our fellow humans don't know everything that we know about ourselves. 

     But God knows. He wants to love our hearts, not our brains. 

            Jimmy

It's Happening 

     People counter discrimination with discrimination. 

     Reparations, years in the making, are happening in Evanston, Illinois. Since 2021, the program makes $25,000 payments to Black residents and their descendants who lived in Evanston between the years 1919 and 1969. 

     Evanston has paid nearly $5 million to 193 residents to date.

     We all know that many Black citizens - not all - were disadvantaged over many decades. Our question is whether reparations paid by taxpayers (including Black taxpayers) is the solution.

     Judicial Watch filed a class action lawsuit, challenging on "equal protection grounds" Evanston's use of race in a benefit for residents five-plus decades, if not more than a century ago. 

     Last January, Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit on behalf of San Francisco taxpayers over a program that discriminates in favor of biologically Black and Latino men who identify as women. 

     In 2023 Minnesota reversed a trial court's ruling over a teachers' contract which provided job protections to certain racial minorities. 

     In 2022 Asheville, NC agreed to remove all racially discriminatory provisions in a city-funded scholarship program. Meanwhile, California lost a gender quota law for corporate boards. The diversity mandate was found to be unconstitutional. 

          Jimmy

History Repeats Itself

     Is the USA replicating Edom, an enemy of old Israel? 

     Around 840 B.C. the Edomites, south of Judah, were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. Although the brothers reconciled, Esau's descendants were hostile to Judah. When they weren't doing violence to their "brother" Jacob, they supported foreign enemies who did.

     The prophet Obadiah records "what the Sovereign Lord says about Edom." It is a sentence of doom for the proud Edomites. 

     While God's people suffered, as they have for centuries, verse 21 promises: "Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the Lord's." 

     Indeed. Edom ceased to be a nation. We're still waiting for all nations to be judged, including ours. 

     Today, Democratic Party leaders provide billions of dollars for Islamic Iran - an enemy of both Israel and the U.S. - and for Gaza residents who are needy, yes, but many or most are anti-Israel. Our military support for Israel's defense is being slowed to a crawl. You know - we don't want to offend Islamic voters in swing-state Michigan. 

     In Obadiah verse 15, "The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head." 

     Twenty-eight centuries aren't "near" as we think of it, but they are "days" to God. So, who was the troublemaker then, and continues to deceive us today? Satan. 

               Jimmy

Ridiculous 

     We didn't begin our blogging enjoyment 10 years ago to spend time on politics or influence anyone's vote. However, said the late Charles Krauthammer, a frequent guest on Fox news:

     "If we don't get the politics right, nothing else matters."

     Kamala Harris is not answering serious questions from reporters. In fact, leftist reporters aren't even asking questions. She blew it the other day when she said off the cuff, "On day one (January 20) I will begin to battle inflation." She didn't promise to close the border or fight crime. 

Ridiculous/Disgusting 

     See what I see?

     Is not Kamala Harris our vice president today? She who defended mentally failing Joe Biden to the end. He rewarded her with a quick endorsement that probably surprised Barack Obama. 

     If Harris and Biden can and want to battle inflation, or any other problem they caused or allowed, nothing prevents them from doing so TODAY! In fact, a great accomplishment, or simply positive, would help her win in November. 

Ridiculous/Disgusting/Shameful

     Harris and her running mate, both Marxists, will do whatever the Democratic Party elite (Obama, Pelosi and others) want them to do. They are simply the latest actors in decades of encroaching communism.  

     Do we let them damage the middle class beyond recovery? Or do we trust Donald Trump - personality aside - to replicate many of the 75 positives of his term. We don't expect to be "great"...but we can hope for constitution survival and more honest leadership. 

          Jimmy

 Selected Verses 

     John chapter 8

v. 12  I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.

v. 15  You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 

v. 23  You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 

v. 24  If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.

v. 26  He who sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him. 

v. 28  When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught Me, I speak these things. 

v. 31  If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. 

 

Give it Up? 

  No. 3 of 3

     After Paul told the Philippians what a "faultless" Pharisee he had been, he wrote, "Whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

     Paul found "not a righteousness of my own...but that which is through faith in Christ...the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."

     He continues, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead." 

     What a statement!

     Apparently, like Peter and others, Paul was martyred. We read in the book about Augustine that martyrs are the "greatest" of Christians.

     What an honor! 

     Today, true circumcision is the Spirit's work in our hearts, cutting away evil. We claim righteousness only as a gift from God. Jesus set the example for self-denial. He spoke only what he heard from his "Father" above. "The Word was God." - John chapter 1, verse 1.

     As he was about to depart, he told his disciples to wait until they received the Holy Spirit. We - Jewish believers and gentiles - are to abide in the Lord above with the aid of the Spirit within. 

     So, what about our flesh? Are we to chuck all our possessions? John the Baptist wore clothes made of camel's hair. Paul gave up his ways. Missionaries rely on supporters. Jesus said, "Take up your cross (difficulties) and follow me." We all have flesh, but our priorities are not the world's.     

No Confidence in Flesh 

   No. 2 of 3 

     Last Sunday, we did not go to church. A tropical storm in Florida was closing in. We learned since that after the service, our pastor and other men got soaked driving vehicles to a roof overhead for thankful owners. What a day for us to catch Chicago's Moody Church on the radio.

     All authors in the Old and New Testaments were Jewish, except Luke. Saul, a Pharisee, severely persecuted fellow Jewish people who believed in the risen Son of God. One day he traveled with others to Damascus (Syria) to arrest more "misguided" Jews. 

     Hold up! Luke wrote in Acts chapter 9 that Jesus surrounded Saul with a flash of light, calling him to stop persecuting himself, Jesus. The other men were speechless. They heard sounds, but didn't see anyone. God blinded Saul for three days, and he ate or drank nothing. 

     The Lord changed his name to Paul. He told a disciple he would show Paul "how much he must suffer for my name." Did he ever!   

     He eventually wrote 13 letters to nine different communities he had visited. To the Philippians, chapter 3, as we listened on our radio, thankful for our roof overhead, Paul wrote that he "had no confidence in the flesh." 

     Habits, strength, skills, wealth, status. Such as these are flesh. 

     Paul gave the Philippians "more reasons" that he had outstanding confidence. He was "circumcised on the 8th day; from the tribe of Benjamin; Hebrew of Hebrews; by law, a Pharisee; in zeal, persecutor of the church." As for "legalistic righteousness, faultless!" 

     After his miraculous encounter with the risen Jesus, items of flesh didn't matter to Paul. In those times, circumcision apparently was thought necessary for salvation. But converted Paul called them "mutilators." 

Tomorrow: Give it Up

     

     

Finding Our Identity 

  No. 1 of 3     From church to hell?

Our folks took us to church 

School years - church every Sunday (learned a bit)

College years - church most Sundays (learned less)

In the army - church some Sundays

Our "good neighbor" family never prayed at home, or read the Bible

To Toledo for job - chose a church with a softball team 

To Pennsylvania for job

Found a church - not for worship - not for the Bible - rather, hoping someone could help me father my 3-year-old stepson

Had I died right then, age 30, God could say, I never knew you...as his angel flew my soul toward the dreaded shaft 

This church was wary about the Holy Spirit. Yes, there are deceiving spirits. But they baptized me in water, and in the Word. I became a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. It's been 37 years since another job took me far from the wary church that rescued not only my adopted son, but me, also adopted. 

My stepson later scored 99% on an intelligence test...and graduated from Bible college.

Tomorrow: Part 2. My favorite Jew 

Black Monday 

     Better sit down. Views just read a discouraging report:   

     Global markets fell like dominoes on Monday. Japan's Nikkei index was the first to plunge, its biggest rout since the 1987 Black Monday crash. Stock exchanges in Europe and the United States followed, triggering a selloff that further fueled fears about the broader economy.

     The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq sank. Wall Street's fear gauge, the VIX, soared to the highest level since 2020. 

     Recession fears were the primary driver of the stock market selloff. Domestic financial markets have been in a slump since August 1. 

     The July jobs report revealed smaller-than-expected 114,000 new jobs and a higher-than-expected 4.3 percent unemployment rate. This indicator suggests the country might be in the early months of a recession.   

Sunday's Coming

     Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in the balance? Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him? 

     Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales. Before him all the nations are as nothing. To whom, then, will you compare God? 

     He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal, says the Holy One. 

          Isaiah 40:12-18

Men Have Choices  

     Think the USA is becoming a bit "weird," the recent word of the day? 

     Long ago, so we read, "gods" and "goddesses" residing in stars were followed by spirits in trees, rocks, rivers, animals, etc. Demons could easily convert these beliefs into animism. 

     Along came spiritism, the notion that the dead communicate through mediums to humans. Then, idolatry - physical objects worshiped as gods. This could only originate in the mind of Satan. He may have inhabited Nimrod. Deception infected the settlers at Babel. 

     God had enough. He confused languages to restrain them from uniting in rebellion.

     People scattered across the earth as God intended. Problem: They took their demonic beliefs with them. Scholars now agree with the Bible's "Table of Nations" that followed Babel, even if they don't accept the Creator. 

The law of decay. Nations proliferate, and deteriorate physically, morally, spiritually and in other ways. National governments fail just as the system of patriarchs failed before the flood. Unless God acts through the Holy Spirit.

     The author writes, "Worship of false gods and objects abounded in Egypt, Greece, Rome, all of Africa, the Western Hemisphere - practically everywhere. Allah was a Persian moon god. Human sacrifice and infanticide were common." 

     "Dictators were considered as "gods" in Greece, Rome and 20th Century Japan. India still considers cattle to be sacred. Hitler made a deal with the devil. Eleanor Roosevelt claimed she spoke with the dead. Hillary Clinton claims she spoke with Eleanor. Cults, seances, witchcraft. American Indians had their practices." 

     We're not so weird, yet, but we're not as related to God as we were in the beginning of our republic.    

           Jimmy 

E, B and C 

     We heard on our car radio a sure-fire approach for Donald Trump and other Republic candidates.

     The idea is to focus daily on E, B and C. That is, the economy, the border, and twice I thought he said "cry." Then I heard it - crime. 

     Those three topics are Major (with a capital M). And those three problems largely are given us by the Democratic administration. Maybe 90 percent or more Americans - including Democrats - are or could be affected by one or more of these problems. 

     Why Democrats will vote for more of the same is beyond us.

     What about A? Abortion. Not all, but some women or girls are victims of men, sometimes a father or other relative. 

     That's a legitimate issue.  

     If a woman votes Democrat solely for A, and Dems win, but she continues to suffer the hardships and threats of E, B and C... we guess it depends on what she values most. A major benefit of dealing with E, B and C is the health, wealth and security of all women. 

     You know about the one-world people, and we're beginning to wonder if Harris is one of them. In their plan, there would be six nations ruled by one capital. Our nation would be Marxist Canada, crime-ridden Mexico, and the leftist U.S. All governed by who? No borders Kamala? 

         Jimmy 

 

     

     

And Jesus said:

  John chapter 7 

     The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify of it that its works are evil. v. 7

     My doctrine is not mine, but His who sent me. v. 16 

     Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. v. 24 

     I know him, for I am from him, and He sent Me. v. 29 

     If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. v. 37 

     He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.  v. 38 

     Does our law judge a man before it hears him and know what he is doing? v. 51    ...Nicodemus 

     

      

In the Mailbag 

     Sometimes Views provides wisdom/opinions/insights from people you may not know about. Following is part of a letter to the editor of WORLD magazine:

     "It smacks of self-righteousness when Christians cite Trump's obnoxiousness as a reason not to vote for him...or vote reluctantly. Somehow, we are so sensitive to Trump's shortcomings that we ignore the fact that we all fall short in God's eyes. 

     "In Christian humility it is our responsibility to try to see things as God sees them and not be persuaded by a decadent culture. In God's sovereignty every man who ascended to the presidency did not get there against His will (Romans 13:1). 

     "Trump is no better or no worse than any other president who was not (or does not become) a follower of Christ. God allowed Trump to assume the presidency in 2016. Trump's term in office was a tremendous success. 

     "Now, we have to accept God's will in the 2020 election. Why would God allow Joe Biden who defies God's moral law in so many ways, to become president? Could it be to show us the contrast between the governance of a party that has an atheistic mindset and the governance of a party that honors God? 

     "I agree that no man can save America, because the root of our problem is not political. But until Almighty God grants us repentance, as in 2 Chronicles 7:14, we should do everything possible to prepare for that day."

What day? The day God heals our land.

Ten Commandments in Schools?

     Louisiana with bipartisan support passed a bill to display the Ten Commandments in public schools and universities.

You shall have no other gods before me 

     The state rep behind this bill said, "Get God's moral standard back in front of our children, because they don't seem to have a standard."

You shall not make for yourself an idol...

     The new law mandates that by January 1 a framed display be put in every public school and state college.  

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God 

     "For 50 years humanists have had free rein over our education system."

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy 

     The Ten Commandments are displayed inside our Supreme Court, other courts throughout the country, and state capitols. 

Honor your father and your mother 

     "You won't find a more historical and traditional document." 

You shall not murder

     "I've never known the level of evil attacks. 'How dare I'"

You shall not commit adultery 

     "I've never seen the left so fearful of a change."  

You shall not steal  

     Civil rights groups decried the new law, a violation of separation between church and state.

You shall not give false testimony

     The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit.

You shall not covet... 

     When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. 

     Exodus 20:18