Smarty Pants

Congratulations, Johnny!

Your IQ score is 133

This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others.

Your Intellectual Type is Visual Mathematician. This means you are gifted at spotting patterns — both in pictures and in numbers. These talents combined with your overall high intelligence make you good at understanding the big picture, which is why people trust your instincts and turn to you for direction — especially in the workplace. And that's just some of what we know about you from your test results.

So, what does this mean? It depends on who you ask. Personally, I think it means BANANAS. In other words, I may have a high IQ, but I really do not feel at all as smart as what the test says. I do know math, though. That's probably a good thing, since I am becoming a math teacher.

So, again, I am smart. I evidently learn by visual aid. What I like with how I teach is that I teach with speaking, writing, and showing. So, if the person is a visual learner, that's covered. If they need to hear it, DONE. And if they need to write it down, well that's a done deal, too.

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Right as Rain: Part II

This is a continuation of the Quiet Time I had yesterday. I am going to post (repost) the scriptures from last night and comment on those and maybe add some New Testament scripture to round things out. Of course, the topic has not changed in the slightest. It's still about righteousness.

Right as Rain: Part I (just in case you need a little refresher)

Romans 1:16-17

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Romans 2:5-16

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

1st Timothy 1:8-11

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

James 2:14-26

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

1st Peter 3:8-22

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

1st John 3:11-15

This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

So... I actually have to let this cook for a while. This is some pretty deep scripture about a tough subject regarding righteousness. I will return to this in a few days with sound thoughts.

I decided to mix up the format a bit on this counter. I make a new one everyday... it gets a little repetitious after a while. Johnny Out.

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Right as Rain

I have to confess... it is hard to have this QT today. The Oscars are on right now, my wife is watching them... and it is a bit distracting. It is good to have the topic today of Righteousness. I am certain I have had a QT on this before...
Again... I am sure I've done a QT on righteousness. I just can't find it. There are over 600 posts on this sight. It's in here somewhere. Righteousness. It's a quality of being a follower of Christ. It's a quality of walking in the light. It's what God commands.
Job 4:15-19

A spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end. It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A form stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice: 'Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker? If God places no trust in his servants, if he charges his angels with error, how much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed more readily than a moth!

Psalm 1:1-6

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Proverbs 10:1-32

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother. Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death. The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment. He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom. What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted. When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him. The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil. The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

OK... that is a LOT of stuff. I normally have a lot of stuff on here as it is, however, I generally go to bed at around 7pm to 7:30pm... and generally no later than 8pm. And here it is 8:20pm and I am not thinking as clearly. so, what I will do is continue this tomorrow, and also add some NT scripture as I go tomorrow. I do like digging... so, without further ado... Johnny Out.

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All the Goods

Welcome to the next installment of my studies. I am digging into the "Fruit of the Light" right now. I have a number of other studies that I am placing in line, including a look at the Marriage Enrichment Weekend that took place last weekend. I really can't wait to look at that. There was a TON of scripture used those two days.
The three things that consist of the "Fruit of the Light" are goodness, righteousness, and truth. Today, I am looking at GOODNESS. If you happen to look at the previous fruit study I just finished, there was a study done on goodness as well. What I plan to do is simply build on that study. Here's a link to the previous study: Previous Goodness Study
Yes, it is good to possess Goodness. What a weird statement, at least if you say it, it sounds strange. It's true, though. Now, I do not know if I have mentioned that I am working for the Dallas Morning News, delivering newspapers at 2 early in the morning. I was hoping I would be affected by the writing strike, but yeah, that didn't happen. Anyway, I read this one morning and it realized why my paper route was starting to thin out.

Back to the subject at hand. Goodness.

Ephesians 6:5-9

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Titus 3:1-11

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Matthew 25:31-46

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Philipians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Now, this may seem like an odd bunch of scripture. I don't know, but at the first glance, it seems a bit odd. Especially since two passages do not contain the word "good" or "goodness". That's why I emphasized certain parts. So here is a break-down of the four passages...

• The Lord rewards those who do good, whether a business owner or an employee; slave or master.
• God does not show favoritism.
• I need to constantly be ready to do good.
• I need to be devoted to doing good.
• Those who argue are divisive and have a warped mind. They are self-condemned.
• Those who do good receive an inheritance from God.
• Those who do not do good, who are not helpful to those in need, are sent to an eternal fire.
• Whatever is good, think about such things and put it into practice. The peace of God, which transcend all understanding, will be with me.

And that's what I learned from today's study... not bad, I guess. Johnny Out.

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Fruit of the Light

Ephesians 5:8-14
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

This is what the Fruit of the Light consists of... it is different from the Galatians list, being that was the Fruit of the Spirit. I should note that it did say the "FRUIT" and not fruits (with an "s"), implying that if one has the Spirit, is would show by it's fruit, encompassing the entirity of that list, as well as if one is in the light, they would bear all these qualities of goodness, righteousness, and truth. Today is just going to be this intro to this little series, which will also be added to the Fruit study, however this is just another leg to what is really a broad subject of what fruit is Biblically speaking.

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The Fruit Study: Directory

The Fruit Study Directory:

• Good Fruit - Boom!
• Fruitcake
• A Little Patience
• Give Peace A Chance
• Whirled Peace
• The Command of Self Control
• Gentleness is Wonderous
• Goody, Goodie, Goodness
• Being the Faithfulness
• What Kind is Kindness?
• The Joy in My Heart
• Love is All We Need: Part I
• Love is All We Need: Part II
• Love is All We Need: Part III

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All We Need is Love: Part III

Welcome to part III of this study on love (in the Fruit of the Spirit study). I will have a directory posted on the Fruit Study once I finish up on love, which is focusing on love in the book of Proverbs. I counted and there are only 10 more scriptures remaining. Lord willing, I will get all remaining 10 today.
Proverbs 15:15-17

All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.

Proverbs 16:2-8

All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for his own ends— even the wicked for a day of disaster. The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.

Proverbs 17:6-10

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds. He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.

Proverbs 18:18-22

Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

Proverbs 19:18-23

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Proverbs 20:5-9;13;26-29

The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes. Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"? ... Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. ... A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them. The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being. Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

Proverbs 21:20-21

In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

Proverbs 27:4-6

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

So those are the remaining scriptures. Now, to the list!

Here's a checklist regarding love:

• Should Love Wife (spouse).
• Love Wisdom.
• Love should be written on heart.
• God returns Love to those who Love Him.
• Loving wisdom increases wealth.
• All who hate wisdom love DEATH.
• Love from another during or after a rebuke shows THEM to be wise.
• Love covers over all wrongs!
• Planning to do good finds love!
• Love is compared to humility which is better than hatred.
• Love atones sin. Wow!
• Love overlooks an offense.
• LOVING to talk will have the fruit of the tongue.
• Love is what a man desires.
• Loving sleep leads to poverty.
• Love helps keep a man safe.
• Many claim to have love, yet few express it.
• Love helps find life, prosperity, and honor.
• A rebuke is a form of expressing love.

And this list is compossed from the scriptures in Proverbs, known as a book of wisdom. Johnny Out.

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Love Is All We Need: Part II

This is continuing what I did yesterday, the fruit study on Love. Today has already been a challenging day. This morning, I got my car stuck in a ditch. I asked a gentleman for help and he said that he would not help. I struggled with it for a bit. I guess I am still struggling with it. I asked his neighbor and he helped and I got out of the ditch.

Here's what we got so far:

Here's a checklist regarding love:

• Should Love Wife (spouse).
• Love Wisdom.
• Love should be written on heart.
• God returns Love to those who Love Him.
• Loving wisdom increases wealth.
• All who hate wisdom love DEATH.

Of course, Proverbs has plenty more scriptures regarding love.

Proverbs 9:7-8

"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you."

Proverbs 10:8-12

The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

Proverbs 14:22-23

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

This puts me at about halfway through Proverbs (bookwise, still plenty of scripture to go).

Adding to the list:

• Love from another during or after a rebuke shows THEM to be wise.
• Love covers over all wrongs!
• Planning to do good finds love!

Here's a checklist regarding love:

• Should Love Wife (spouse).
• Love Wisdom.
• Love should be written on heart.
• God returns Love to those who Love Him.
• Loving wisdom increases wealth.
• All who hate wisdom love DEATH.
• Love from another during or after a rebuke shows THEM to be wise.
• Love covers over all wrongs!
• Planning to do good finds love!

This is FUN! I can't wait 'til tomorrow for PART III! Johnny Out.

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Love Is All We Need

I guess it is fitting that this post follows up from the Valentine Day post... although, the colors on the "QT 2008" logo are... interesting at best. Probably best suited for Easter, but alas, they are on today's posting.
I am going to take a different approach today. Today, I am focusing on LOVE (and I have Jesus at the center of everything, which I kept from being darkened out). Also, if I am to be fruitful for my God, everything is assoxiated with LOVE. And when you take everything else away from LOVE
Proverbs 3:1-4

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 4:1-7

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 5:1-19

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not. Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man's house. At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly." Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.

Proverbs 8:12-19

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

Proverbs 8:20-21

I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

Proverbs 8:33-36

Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death."

Here's a checklist regarding love:

• Should Love Wife (spouse).
• Love Wisdom.
• Love should be written on heart.
• God returns Love to those who Love Him.
• Loving wisdom increases wealth.
• All who hate wisdom love DEATH.

This will be continued tomorrow... since LOVE covers over a multitude of sins, it is good to know what it is best to love. Johnny Out.

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A Valentine Quiet Time

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, I wanting to post this on Valentine's Day, but... it didn't happen. I didn't even have a QT on V-Day, either, so how awful am I? Again, my dependency on this computer to have my QTs is mesmerizing. I have to have a computer to have a QT. I feel rather shallow, but at least I know where I am in this regard. So, if I didn't post it then, well, I just have a belated Valentine Day post and 'get 'er done' now.

I found this little heart and arrow thing... I thought it would be a bit cool to have it on here. Anyway, I'll simply say that my Valentine's Day was pretty cool. My wife and I didn't celebrate on V-Day, but we celebrated over the weekend. I picked up a Friends (Season 5) for my wife and Mackenzie got a Thomas DVD (Season 1) from his parents. Our little family moved to North Richland Hills, TX (both a return to NRH for both myself and my wife, albeit for me I was only here for roughly two months the first time). My wife has picked up a armband thing for my MP3 player so that when I go bike-riding, I will be able to take that with me. I will be leaving my paper-route job in a few more weeks. I haven't told my new boss the news yet, I am a little scared to do so, since he's a great employer to work for... the reason for me leaving doesn't have anything to do with the grumbling co-workers, or the fact that my old boss left and died (Andy Burns, RIP), it has to do with my personal health concerns and the deteration of my left leg. Again, the spellcheck isn't working and I tinhk Iv'e mpselisld a few tnighs. Pretty Weird, huh?

Well... let's get to work.

Mark 12:28-34
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

Matthew 22:34-40

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

And, when I read this, even though I know what the Bible says... I still wonder, what does it mean to love your neighbor?

Luke 10:25-37

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"

He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

The same story, told three different ways, from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. And Luke expands on the story to define what a "neighbor" is Biblically. And it would be cool to look at what loving is in all aspects of what the Bible says, but to define the neighbor and that love is taking care of someone else. It is having mercy on someone else, like a homeless person, or someone who "down on their luck", per se. It is also helping someone who may not realize they need help, although, to be honest, it is good for them to at least know... Anyway, I do like looking at a story told from different perspectives. It adds deminsion (spelling?).

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Quotes by Ronald Reagan

• 'Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose.'
• 'The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'
• 'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so.'
• 'Of the four wars in my lifetime none came about because the U.S. was too strong.'
• 'I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.'
• 'The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination.'
• 'Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.'
• 'The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program.'
• 'I've laid down the law, though, to everyone, from now on anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of a Cabinet meeting.'
• 'It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.'
• 'Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.'
• 'Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book.'
• 'No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.'
• 'If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.'

The Joy in My Heart

Wow, what a dreary looking logo. I felt I would take a step back on the logo before taking further steps forward. I'm not sure what forward will look like... but we'll see.
I will not be posting for the next few days due to moving. Tuesday I should return and post my quiet times from the previous days, as well as pick up on this series. Hopefully, Tuesday I will finish this particular study. Hard to say, though.
Today's topic is JOY! This is going to be a fun QT for sure!

Ezra 3:7-13

Then they gave money to the masons and carpenters, and gave food and drink and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre, so that they would bring cedar logs by sea from Lebanon to Joppa, as authorized by Cyrus king of Persia.

In the second month of the second year after their arrival at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak and the rest of their brothers (the priests and the Levites and all who had returned from the captivity to Jerusalem) began the work, appointing Levites twenty years of age and older to supervise the building of the house of the LORD. Jeshua and his sons and brothers and Kadmiel and his sons (descendants of Hodaviah) and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers—all Levites—joined together in supervising those working on the house of God.

When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever." And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away.

I believe this was a very emotional time. The joy was weeping. The joy was happiness at the same time. And it was praise. And it was such an exciting time, it could be heard far away. Imagine, building a church and the excitement that goes with it, that the joy felt from building it could be heard FAR AWAY... now, that's joy.

Psalm 66:1-20

Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name." Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot— come, let us rejoice in him. He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations— let not the rebellious rise up against him. Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you- vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble. I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats. Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

Why have joy? Because God does not withhold his love from me.

Joy: Ruwa` (Pronounced: roo-ah'):

• To shout, raise a sound, cry out, give a blast.
• To shout a war-cry or alarm of battle.
• To sound a signal for war or march.
• To shout in triumph (over enemies).
• To shout in applause.
• To shout (with religious impulse).
• To cry out in distress.
• To utter a shout.
• To shout in triumph.
• To shout for joy.

These are Biblical characteristics of expressing joy. I'm not sure what the dictionary.com definition of joy, but that is what the Hebrew definition of joy.

Proverbs 15:20-25;28-33

A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A man finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave. The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact. The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

There are 15 scriptures in Proverbs (in the NIV) that contain the word "joy". All of them are worth reading, however I am only going to just use those three above. I found the surrounding scriptures were somewhat applicable to this study, so I included those as well.

I sometimes forget definitions of words, especially if I do not use the word at all often, if I use it at all. Apt is one of those words I just don't use on a consistent basis. It does mean "appropriate and unusually intelligent; suited to the purpose or occasion". So an apt response is an appropriate response, suited for the occasion.

John 16:17-33

Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?" They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."

Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'? I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

"Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."

Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."

"You believe at last!" Jesus answered. "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

It is the "complete joy" that is echoed in the New Testament. In the NIV, there is 214 passages in the Bible that contain joy. Following God and being joyful are to be one and the same. If I am not experiencing joy while being a disciple of Christ, then I have to ask myslef, am I following God? There just might be a chance that I am not walking all that well with Christ if that is the case. Anyway, Johnny Out.

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Numbers in Crafts

History of Counting

At some point in history, someone made a connection between the number of fingers on their hand to the number of animals that they had and the “number” was created. Historians even believe that mathematics came before writing.

Counting originated in the “Fertile Crescent” of southwest Asia. How this came about was by little clay “tokens” that represented an object of ownership. A clay token could represent a sheep, beer, or a crop. After years passed and the tokens would fall apart, the representation of an envelope system came about, where there would be a number of tokens in a sealed clay container. After correcting the problems with that system, the envelope showed just one token on the outside with the marks of how many tokens were inside the envelope, thus a true counting system was created. This was also the beginning of writing, according to some scholars.

The Bible

The Bible is very well known for having numbers. In fact, there is even a book in the Old Testament titled “Numbers”. In the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, counting began within the first five scriptures of the Bible. In verse five, it ends with the words, “the first day”. Now whether this was when man learned to count, it is unclear.

What is clear is in Genesis 4:15. Cain has already killed Abel. And Cain is pleading with God about his life and possible vengeance against him. And the Lord responds that should such a thing happen, that person will “suffer vengeance seven times over.” The seven is not only a number, but an understood number that Cain should and does understand, otherwise God would not have said it. Here’s the second generation of man with an understanding of a number system.

Numbers were also shown to tell the age of a person in the Bible. The following chapter lists the ages of people in the Old Testament before the great flood; the most popular had to be Methuselah, who lived the longest in the Bible at 969 years of age. There is some folklore that regards a woman named Serah bat Asher, who lived longer than Methuselah. Oddly enough the date of her death is uncertain at best. It is said that she died in the Old Testament times, while other sources claim she dies over the last century, and still other sources say she is still alive, however, it is very unlikely that Jacob’s daughter is still alive today.

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What Kind is Kindness?

Hello to Thursday... what the heck is that about? Hello to Thursday? Man, I'm weird. Who says that? OK, well, I'm back for another Quiet Time. And boy, do I need it. Have you ever felt your heart just want to rebel? I get that feeling all the time. I normally don't act on it, by simply talking some sense into me. But then there are those times that I just do rebel. My attitude becomes mean and I just am not a pleasant person. Not so great. I try to keep that part of my sinful nature at bay, and I don't become a jerk as often as I used to... but then there are those times.
I guess it is a good thing that I am looking at KINDNESS today. I have basic knowledge of kindness, but when it comes to the Bible, everything seems to be so much deeper than "basic knowledge". And that is always a good thing. It is always a convicting thing. So... without further "ado", let's dig!
What is kindness?

Kindness (noun):

• The quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic.
• Tendency to be kind and forgiving.
• An instance of kind behavior.

That's the dictionary definition. I guess it would be good to have some scripture.

Exodus 1:15-21

The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?"

The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."

So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

2nd Chronicles 10:6-8

Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. "How would you advise me to answer these people?" he asked. They replied, "If you will be kind to these people and please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants." But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.

Proverbs 11:15-18

He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe. A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

Proverbs 12:25-26

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 14:20-22

The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:30-32

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.

1st Corinthians 13:4

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Luke 6:27-36

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

OK... so those are examples in scripture. God is kind and love is kind. The Lord is kind to the wicked and ungrateful. I am commanded to be kind to the needy. Kindness gains respect. Kindness also cheers others up. Lastly, kindness encourages others. Now, what does the Greek and Hebrew definition?

Kind: Chresteuomai (Pronounced: khraste-yoo'-om-ahee):

• To show one's self mild, to be kind, use kindness.

Kind: Chrestos (Pronounced: khrase-tos'):

• Fit, fit for use, useful.
• Virtuous, good.
• Manageable.
• Mild, pleasant (as opp. to harsh, hard sharp, bitter).
• Of things: more pleasant, of people, kind, benevolent.

I wasn't able to find the Old Testament information. But kindness and honor where exchangable in one passage. So, being kind is showing honor. It is respectful. It is good and it is a quality of God. Johnny Out.

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Being the Faithfulness

Welcome to SUPER WEDNESDAY! OK, not really... but the way the last several days have gone, it sure feels like it should be something. Today is "Ash Wednesday", which I guess is more of a Catholic holiday... I don't think I've ever celebrated Ash Wednesday, or at least I can't think of a time that I have. Maybe I will look into it and see what it's about.
Anyway, today in my QT, I am looking at FAITHFULNESS. It is a fruit and it is important to salvation. I know Baptist's say that we are saved by faith. And that is true. We are also saved by Baptism and Grace. We are also saved by Love. We are also saved by obedience. Is it any one thing that saves? No, but it is a combination of all of them that save. You can't just have one without the others. One is not more important than the other. So, containing faithfulness is essential. It is one of the big things that saves. And what is faithfulness? Glad you asked.
I tell you what, sometimes I just feel dumb. Right now is one of those moments. I have ideas of what faithfulness are, but to say for certain what it is, yeah, I can't do that.

Faithfulness (noun):

• Strict or thorough in the performance of duty.
• True to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
• Steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant.
• Reliable, trusted, or believed.
• Adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original; accurate.
• Engaging in sex only with one's spouse.

So, that is what the dictionary says about it. Now, time to check out the Bible.

Romans 3:3-8;21-31

What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."

But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.

Romans 3:9-20 (I provided this here in case you want to read the middle scriptures.)

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

So, in this excert from this chapter, faith is used 11 times. And that doesn't count the scriptures in between these two passages.

Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

1st Corinthians 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I tell you what. I am going to have a QT soon on nothing but the passages of salvation. I know you can probably find a website that will tell you are saved on nothing but this and that and the other... but I would very much like to simply study it out on my own. That was more of a side note. Now, I am going to see what the good ol' Greek says on this subject.

Faithfulness: Pistis (Pronouonced: pis'-tis):

• Conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.
• Relating to God.
• The conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ.
• Relating to Christ.
• A strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God.
• The religious beliefs of Christians.
• Belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same.
• Fidelity, faithfulness.
• The character of one who can be relied on.

If you have faith, then you will have conviction. And conviction is generally something someone can see. for example:

Hebrews 10:35-11:40

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Now, if you were keeping count, faith was used 29 times. And this entire passage is about faith being put into action, it is about conviction. If these people did not have conviction, if they did not express their faithfulness, these stories would not be in the Bible. I now have to ask: what does my/your faith express? Is there any action to your faith? If not, can I call it faith? Tough question. Johnny Out.

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