Bread and Wine: A Look at Communion - PART III

Welcome to Monday! I can't believe the Giants actually won! That was an amazing game last night. I wanted the Giants to pull off the upset, predicted it in my sports blog, and they pulled it off. How weird.

On another note, something rather sad and unfortunate, my boss (actually, my previous boss, by only a week) passed away yesterday. I just wasn't expecting it to happen so quickly. I knew he was sick and his health wasn't well, I just didn't expect to go to work and here that news.

Psalm 37:23-27

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.

Proverbs 30:7-9

"Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD ' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."

Mark 14:22-26

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."

Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.

"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

It is awesome to see how the bread and drink come together. There is still plenty of scriptures in the Old Testament that tie together with communion. Drink and bread appear in roughly over 200 scriptures. Bread alone appears in over 250 passages. It is clear that God wants me to have an understanding of communion. And while I may not be an expert by any means, I do know that it is a time to reflect on the great thing that God has done for me, being Jesus Christ and deliverance from sin.

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Gentleness is Wonderous

Today is SUPER SUNDAY! And today is the day that the Patriots or the Giants walk away Champions and the other just walks away. I think it will be a good game, at least up to the coin toss. After that, the Patriots will probably walk all over the poor Giants. But what I would like to see is the Giants upset. But that is just football. I'm here to study a little about Gentleness.
That's what the topic is: Gentleness. Let's take a look.

Gentleness (noun):

• Acting in a manner that is gentle and mild and even-tempered.
• Considerate or kindly in disposition; amiable and tender.
• Not harsh or severe; mild and soft.
• Easily managed or handled; docile.

Gentleness: Praotes (Pronounced: prah-ot'-ace):

• Gentleness, mildness, meekness

I will define meekness in a little bit, but I want to check some scripture first.

Phillipians 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.

Gentleness needs to be evident to everyone. In other words, people need to see how gentle I am. I'm not sure how good I am at doing that... but I know I have improved over the years in regards to how harsh I can be, which I would think is the opposite of gentleness.

1st Timothy 6:3-16

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

The command is to pursue gentleness (among other things). Pursuit of money is not the pursuit of gentleness and causes many griefs. In fact, the pursuit to get rich will kill the gentle spirit. That's why it is important to put God first.

1st Peter 3:8-16

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.

Gentleness, along with respect, will allow me to live with harmony in this world. I'm not sure how that works, but that's what I gathered in this passage. I guess it will require further study on this topic. Once, I hit the other topics, I may come back to this one and dig a little further. Still, good stuff. Johnny Out.

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The Command of Self-Control

Happy Groundhog's Day! Where would we be without this wonderful holiday? Well, we'd be without a holiday that stomps on any hope of it getting warmer earlier and we wouldn't honor an overgrown rodent... Aaaahhhh... the joys of superstitions.
Proverbs 25:26-28

Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor. Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

2nd Timothy 3:1-9

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

2nd Peter 1:3-11

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Self Control: Egkrateia (Pronounced: eng-krat'-i-ah):

• self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites)

Well, self control is very important to God and salvation. Without self-control, I would be sinful. Without self control, I would be like a defenseless city. Everything would find it's way into my heart and there would be nothing I could do about it. It doesn't sound at all that fun. But think of being without boundaries... that is also a city without walls. I wouldn't know where to stop and I would not have any limits. That isn't necessarily a good thing, either. I would think the only good that could come out of being without boundaries is when it means to show Godly love to someone. I mean, that is what God wants, right? For me, I have to have boundaries. I have to have self control. Without it, I am doomed. Johnny Out.

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Whirled Peace

Today I continue my study on peace. I touched on some things yesterday and I hope to wrap it up today. I recalled a scripture this morning that hits home in a way.

Romans 12:9-21
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This scripture simply shows me that even though it is possible to live at peace with everyone, there are times when you simply can't make it happen. In other words, you have to decide to do the right thing, even if it is also a hard thing and you can't live "at peace" with people. And when this happens, it gives you that "it stinks" feeling. Say-La-V, I guess.

Matthew 10:32-39
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

And I will add this scripture:

Luke 12:49-53

"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

What a tough teaching! I wonder if I can really hold on. I really do. Sometimes things can get really tough, really tough when you see something realized. And I don't think I have ever seen these scriptures before today. I am sure that I have, since it is New Testament, but it sure does feel new. Well, life goes on. Johnny Out.

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Goals 2008: UPDATE

Spiritual Goals for 2008

1. Have consistent QTs (over 90%) for 2008
2. Pray consistently with family (again, 90%)
3. Help the church (either communion service, contribution, children's ministry... just need to serve)
4. BE AT CHURCH consistently. Do let excuses pull me down from going.

I know this is only four goals (not a perfect number, biblically speaking...) but these are goals with God in mind. I think the Lord will bless it.

So, how is the progress? Well, if you look at this blog, you should know where I stand EXACTLY with my quiet times. I am more consistent with attending church. As far as serving, well that really hasn't happened too much as of yet. But this is only one month down, I still have eleven months to go. And praying, well, that is also hit and miss. I believe it has roughly stayed the same as before the year started, sporadic, but since I am checking this monthly, prayfully March 1st will be an encouraging update. Johnny Out.

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