The Union's Advantage 

     You may not find this in Civil War history books. 

     After the North's pitiful first year, the tide began to turn. Was it better rifles? Cannons? Strategy? 

Some background: The Boston tea party in 1773 made a difference that mattered in the 1860's when the navy blockaded Southern ports, but in so doing, cut off their own critical supply. Supply of what?

     Meanwhile, the new Republic of Liberia, Africa was a safe place for blacks, thousands of whom were sent there, or otherwise escaped from slavery in the American South. Stephen Benson was age 6 when his (free) American parents moved from Maryland to Liberia. As an adult, he became one of the largest farmers in the country. 

     Themselves free of slavery, Liberians were rooting for the North to win the Civil War. There was no official recognition of Liberia...no trade treaties. 

     Benson hoped his "essential fuel" could benefit the Union's fight against slavery. He sent a message to America that he had planted some 500 thousand coffee trees. In August 1862, a ship carried 6,000 pounds of premium coffee to the northern states.  

     How does coffee win a war?

Tomorrow

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." - Matthew 6:14

   

Coming Monday

The North's secret

to winning the Civil War?

Wide and Narrow Gates 

  Conclusion

     The "Sermon on the Mount" as it is known (Matthew chap. 5-7) would have helped the people if they all had tape recorders. As it was, the crowd was amazed, "...because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." 

     As with the other "gospels," the Holy Spirit gave the former tax collector, a disciple of Jesus, the words of this book in the A.D. 60s. We learn what God wants of and for us if we search the scriptures with all our hearts. 

     We're warned about judging others but not ourselves. We're told to ask, seek and knock on God's door by prayer...and to do to others what we want them to do for us. We are God's workmanship, with responsibility. It all matters, because...

     When we die, our souls are taken to heaven, or to hell. Jesus often referred to hell. We can obey the ongoing conditions for salvation, receiving God's grace by the Lord's sacrificial death. Many Christians are satisfied to attend church on Sundays. But, we are called to pray and let our light shine seven days a week.  

     We don't want to hear Jesus say, "I never knew you."  

     The narrow way and the narrow gate are available. 

"And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn (first in position) from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." - Colossians 1:18 

Do Not Worry 

  Part 4

     Here in the USA most of us trust our money with faith in the security it brings, and that it will lead to happiness. We hear that millionaires and billionaires worry more than the rest of us.

     "Do not worry about your life," the teacher says. Seriously. By life, he meant food and clothes. He continues, "The Father feeds the birds, and you are much more valuable than birds. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"  

     Well, teacher, it's 2025, no worry about food and clothes for most of us. Banks crash, hurricanes and fires wipe out whole communities, we share the road with drunk drivers, and for some, the source of income no longer exists. China ships poison for us to eat. Iran wants to destroy Israel, and America too. And the teacher replies...

     "Do not worry. For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you. Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

One more teaching, tomorrow

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:9 

No Showboating

   Part 3

     Thousands thrilled with miracle healings...and the teacher is not through with them yet. They are gathered on the hillside.

     "Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men...to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Do not let your left hand know what you right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.  Then your Father will reward you." 

     "When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

     "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

     "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do. Wash your face so it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting."  

     "Do not store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters. You can't serve God and money." 

To be continued

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." - Ephesians 5:14 

No Bragging, Boasting or Show-offs 

     Part 2

     The doctor/preacher/teacher who attracted followers by healing so many, now begins to tell them how to live. 

     "Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not divorce your wife, unless she is an adulteress. Don't swear to keep your oaths...just let your yes be yes and your no be no." Then he really got their attention.

     "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person...turn the other cheek...let him have your cloak...go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."

     The people were happy to be healed, but, be nice to everyone, no matter what? Doesn't make sense, they must have been thinking. 

     Oh, he wasn't finished. "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers... Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." 

    We wonder. Did they wonder how their miraculous healings led them into a teaching that seemed...could it be...from a prophet...or...?

Note: The teacher wasn't condemning the sudden improper desire that Satan plants or otherwise arises in one's mind. Sin is approving and desiring the thought. And the teacher was not against the administration of proper justice. But consider the hurting father who forgave the man who killed his daughter, leaving judgment to the court, while thinking forgiveness might eventually touch the criminal's spiritual life.   

To be continued

"For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you." - Isaiah 41:13

    

The Doctor/Peacher/Teacher 

     Imagine, centuries ago. People were coming from Syria, Galilee, Jerusalem and east of the river, to be healed of disease and every physical problem, even demon-possession. There was no record of such a thing...ever! 

     This stranger living in Capernaum by the lake, now had thousands of followers. Why not? None of the teachers of the law or the Roman soldiers ever performed miracles. 

     One day, crowds gathering again, he went up on a hillside and sat down. He began to teach. 

     Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn...the meek...those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...the pure in heart...peacemakers...those who are persecuted. 

     He taught them about salt and light. If they have these principles, they are examples for the world. If not, not good. 

     The teacher said, ...unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Wow!     ...    Were the Pharisees listening? 

 To be continued

Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."