Opening Georgia

Good Morning! 

I received an email from the gym I attend late last night stating that it will reopen today. This is in response to Governor Kemp’s relaxing of the shelter in place orders from the end of March. Of course, there are those – including President Trump – who disagree with Governor Kemp.  And, I admit that there is reason for some concern … but, as I mentioned to my sister last night in our conversation regarding Mom, what the governor is doing is putting life decisions in the hands of the people.

Like most of my fellow seniors, I fit into what has been described as the at-risk group. I am over 60. I have hypertension. I have had heart surgery … but not heart disease. In addition, I live with a daughter who has, as one of her maladies, some lung issues. So, as a responsible adult, I must take into consideration my preventative actions to protect myself and my daughter. Within our house, we socially distance. Heather wipes down every grocery item I bring in. And so on.

Under the relaxed rules, I will have to make some decisions for myself. Do I get a haircut … or wait another couple of weeks or even a month before doing so? If my favorite restaurant opens its in-house dining facilities, do I dine-in or choose carry-out? Do I trust the people who operate businesses to take precautions for their clientele … or do I stay away while they die on the vine? Do I choose to fight the flab by attending the gym, being careful to wipe equipment down before and after exercising? Each of these are personal decisions that I must make for myself – taking into consideration not only myself but my loved ones as well.

If you live in Georgia, these are questions you will have to answer as well. If you live in other states, these questions will come up when your governor decides. 

Well, taking a look at yet another Psalm we don’t often cite, let’s look at Psalm 113:

Psalm 113 English Standard Version (ESV)

Who Is like the Lord Our God?

113 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
    praise the name of the Lord!

2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised!

4 The Lord is high above all nations,
    and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
    who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
    on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
    making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!

Once again, we see the Psalmist praising God and pointing to His omniscience and omnipotence. God is able to overcome all things that we might encounter on this earth. In response, we should life trusting in His power and His might.

It is hard to believe that May is just a week away. I am struggling with a decision regarding my posting of Good Mornings. The last day of May will mark twelve years of postings. Google’s decision to interrupt my ability to post via email has affected many readers. Looking at the statistics on the blog, it doesn’t appear that many of my former readers have transitioned. So … I am considering ending posting. With that in mind, I am asking two things of you … first, pray for me in making this decision, asking that God guide my thoughts. Second, if you are a reader, send me an email (jim.gant@gmail.com) and I will rebuild my email list to post in that manner rather than by blog (I actually prefer that more personal method).

God bless you this weekend.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Prayer: Praise the Lord … Whose presence in the midst of our troubles gives us hope for each new day … hope that allows us to continue in faith and not fear. In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Psalms 113

Seek Ye First

Good Morning! 

How about another Psalm for this morning?

Psalm 112 English Standard Version (ESV)

112 [a] Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
    who greatly delights in his commandments!
2 His offspring will be mighty in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
    he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
    who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 For the righteous will never be moved;
    he will be remembered forever.
7 He is not afraid of bad news;
    his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.
8 His heart is steady;[b] he will not be afraid,
    until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever;
    his horn is exalted in honor.
10 The wicked man sees it and is angry;
    he gnashes his teeth and melts away;
    the desire of the wicked will perish!

Footnotes:

a.     Psalm 112:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each line beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet

b.     Psalm 112:8 Or established (compare 111:8)

Take a quick glance at verses 5-9 on how a blessed man … a righteous man … handles adversity:

·         He is generous

·         He is steadfast

·         He is not afraid

·         He distributes freely

·         He gives to the poor

This begs the question (that I ask myself) of how I handle adversity in my life. I know my first reaction seems to be anger driven by anxiety.  Is that a lack of faith … or am I just wired that way? I know that I have calmed down a little over the years … not getting too upset over an issue that arises. Perhaps, as I go through trial after trial, I am learning to first turn to God at the beginning rather than treat God as a last resort.

My thinking is just that … we treat God as a “last resort” in our problems. Note, though, that the Psalmist begins by describing the blessed man as one who delights in His commandments. Do you remember what Jesus said was the greatest commandment?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37–40).

The first commandment Christ gives is a part of the Hallel that Moses instructed all fathers in Israel to recite and to teach their children. A good father in Israel would quote this commandment at every opportunity … so that his children would learn to follow God first, to trust God first.  And that, I believe, is key to our ability to succeed in the midst of adversity.

In this crisis, let’s all turn to God for His guidance first. 

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Prayer: Praise the Lord … Whose presence in the midst of our troubles gives us hope for each new day … hope that allows us to continue in faith and not fear. In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Psalms 112

Honor

Good Morning! 

This morning I would like to look at a Psalm we don’t often consider. Psalms is a teaching tool. Psalms 111 is one of the teaching tools that was used to teach the Hebrew alphabet to students. Each line of the Psalm (in the Hebrew language) began with the next sequential letter in the Hebrew alphabet.

My great-granddaughter, Cosette, has been coming over several times a week to visit her daddy as a part of his visitation rights. One of the purchases Miss Norma and I made when the greats were born is little mats that hook together, with each square having a letter of the alphabet. Cosy will be five years old next week and was going to Pre-school before the pandemic caused a shutdown. Heather and I have been working together to help Cosy continue to develop her learning skills. So, I was quite pleased when I returned from an errand last week to see the mats laid out in alphabetical order.

Back to the Psalm …

Psalm 111 English Standard Version (ESV)

111 [a] Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
    in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

2 Great are the works of the Lord,
    studied by all who delight in them.

3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
    and his righteousness endures forever.

4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and merciful.

5 He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
    in giving them the inheritance of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
    all his precepts are trustworthy;

8 they are established forever and ever,
    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He sent redemption to his people;
    he has commanded his covenant forever.
    Holy and awesome is his name!

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practice it have a good understanding.
    His praise endures forever!

Footnotes:

Psalm 111:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each line beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet

Let’s focus in on that last verse – verse 10.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The word “fear” has several meanings. Strong’s Concordance lists four:

1.       fear, terror

2.       awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)

3.       fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety

4.       revered

In the context used, the most likely applicable definition is “reverence”. Our ability to understand God’s purpose for us grows as our respect for Him grows. I can only speak for my relationship with God … but I find that I am not afraid of God but rather recognize His power and authority over my life. I don’t think of God as waiting to give me a smack down when I sin but rather applying His correct and righteous discipline as any Father would do for His son.

One of His commandments given to Moses was to honor our Father and Mother. I believe God gave this command so that we would learn to pay the same reverent respect to Him as our heavenly Father. In my case, learning to respect my earthly father was a stretch … since my father had made some life choices that were harmful for me and my siblings. Ultimately, I came to realize that God’s command was for my benefit and was regardless of my feelings towards Dad.

When I say this, I recognize that some fathers have engaged in activities that are very personal and horrendous to others. I fully understand the hard feelings a young man or woman might have when dealing with abuse … either physical or sexual. Each of us must trust that God will deal appropriately with those individuals … my Dad for his choices that harmed me and my siblings; the fathers who abused their children. I have no doubt that God is capable to administer needed punishment for such actions.

Returning to the Psalm, as we continue to learn to revere God (and such is a continuing learning process), we learn that He is capable of loving us beyond all human measure and providing for our needs both in this life and the life to come.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Prayer: I praise You, my Father God, for Your bountiful nature that has shielded me and provided for me all the days of my life.  In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Psalms 111

"New Normal"

Good Morning! 

I am not a fan of the current phrase “the new normal”. The phrase begs the question of what is considered to be the “old normal”? What actions that were common before COVID-19 will be extinct as we live with this new virus? Do we no longer hug one another? Is the practice of the handshake gone forever? Shall we forever keep six to ten feet apart from one another? Will we live in fear of close human contact … fearing the transmission of some disease?

Now, please don’t misunderstand. I am not protesting the actions that have been taken to mitigate the spreading of the coronavirus. I am only pointing out that some of the commentary being distributed today doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.  We are living in a reactionary environment … the virus is very communicable; the virus is virulent in nature and appears to be more deadly that other strains of virus (the data regarding mortality is still not complete). Keep in mind that the common cold is a virus. But, in our reaction to what the virus appears to be, we have initiated some very draconian measures in our human attempt to prevent its spread.

What has happened to living by faith?

While I am not protesting common sense actions to thwart the spread of the coronavirus, I am wondering why we are living in fear. Look, for generations we have lived with diseases that are very communicable … some without any vaccination available. And, to be certain, some people who contracted one of those diseases have died from it … or some of its attendant effects. For example, common influenza can also, and often does, cause death. From a statistical standpoint, we know that so many Americans per thousand will come down with the flu and expire as a result. We know this … but we don’t shut down life because of it.  Now, I know the counter is that we have vaccines for the common flu. Do we? The truth is that we don’t have a single vaccine that is effective against all strains of influenza.  If we did, the coronavirus would fall into the category of one of those strains. The point is that, while I will allow the doctor to inoculate me each year, I cannot be absolutely sure that the vaccine will completely protect me against all strains of influenza.  In the old “normal”, I didn’t allow that to stop me from mingling with people; shaking their hands; giving them a hug; sitting next to them in choir; and so forth. If they had a runny nose, I didn’t don a mask or tell them to stay at home. I accepted the risk without worrying about those things. Note: IF I were to have a health condition that would make me more vulnerable, I would take the responsibility of protecting myself from such actions. I consider myself to be an adult that can make good decisions for myself and my health.

So, what are we to do? How about we trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding? Listen, information on the impact of the coronavirus is still being developed. We really won’t know the full impact for a good while. As we discover more about the virus and its effects, we can continue to utilize wise life choices. Maybe we wear a mask when in a close public setting … like church. And maybe we refrain from hugging and shaking hands for a period of time … but not forever.  We each make our own decisions about how we handle this … and be aware of our neighbors and their choices, without condemning them for their choice. 

Remember this one thing … God is still on His throne. Turn to Him for direction on how to respond to this “new” normal. Trust God to lead you … He will.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Prayer: Teach me, dear Father, to live in complete trust with You.  In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Proverbs 3:5

No Condemnation

Good Morning! 

One of the most assuring passages of Scripture reads:

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.[a] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you[b] free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,[c] he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Footnotes:

a.     Romans 8:1 Some manuscripts add who walk not according to the flesh (but according to the Spirit)

b.     Romans 8:2 Some manuscripts me

c.     Romans 8:3 Or and as a sin offering

Chapter 8 of Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome continues to point out that those who have placed their trust in Christ have a new relationship with God … we have been adopted and are heirs and joint heirs with Christ.  In the process, God has endowed us with His Spirit that dwells within, making intercession on our behalf.  In short, when I don’t know what to say or how to say it, the Holy Spirit speaks to God for me.  The end result is that I don’t have to fear for God is within – guiding my path.

Each one of us who are believers are works in progress.  God is patiently working within to change us from what was to what can be.  As we surrender our desires to Him, He changes us so that our desires match His desires.  We truly become new creatures with a transformed mind.  We are no longer slaves to our selfish desires … but are servants of God, commissioned to His will and work … with all the benefits of being His child.  And that’s a good thing!

So … as we begin another week, looking forward in hope, we can know that we are free … free … free.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Prayer: May Your Spirit dominate my life, dear Father, so that I might be a fit vessel for Your use. In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Romans 8

Transfigured

Good Morning! 

As I mentioned in my posting yesterday, my initial intent was to write about the Wonderful Wednesday message about the transfiguration of Jesus that the members of HFBC heard.  The focus was on the actions of the disciples (Peter, James, and John).  Let’s look at all three reports given in the gospels …

Matthew 17:1-8 English Standard Version (ESV)

17 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son,[a] with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Footnotes:

a.     Matthew 17:5 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved

Mark 9:2-8 English Standard Version (ESV)

2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one[a] on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi,[b] it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son;[c] listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

Footnotes:

a.     Mark 9:3 Greek launderer (gnapheus)

b.     Mark 9:5 Rabbi means my teacher, or my master

c.    Mark 9:7 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved

Luke 9:28-36 English Standard Version (ESV)

28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure,[a] which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One;[b] listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

Footnotes:

a.     Luke 9:31 Greek exodus

b.     Luke 9:35 Some manuscripts my Beloved

The phrase that jumps off the page for me comes from “a voice came out of a cloud, saying …”.  One wonders why the human authors didn’t just say “and God spoke”.  The message that was spoken is very clear … the preeminence belongs to the Christ – not from the Law or the Prophets. Peter’s suggestion placed the Law and the Prophets on the same plane as the Christ. Peter didn’t realize the impact of his suggestion.  As Paul would later write: “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” Peter’s understanding was limited at the time he witnessed the transfiguration as he was yet to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. 

The transfiguration was a turning point in Christ’s ministry … as the subject being discussed was Jesus heading to Jerusalem to accomplish His purpose.  As our preacher pointed out, when Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, He states that His purpose was complete (John 17:3-4). He had been tempted without failing; He had demonstrated His Messiahship throughout the nation; He had offered Israel an opportunity to respond.  He was the one and only worthy sacrifice for the sin of humanity.  Later, when on the cross, He uttered the words “It is finished.”  It is one word in Greek … a commercial phrase meaning “paid fully”. 

One of the benefits of being a believer in our era is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  If we are listening to the teachings of Christ, we understand that salvation is found only in the person of Jesus, who is the Christ.  We honor the Law and the Prophets … but we recognize that each point to the One who is our Savior and our Lord. 

God bless you this good day and this good weekend.  By the way, if your house of worship is not holding services … or if you just want another inspiring message from God, join us at Helenfbc.com.  The message is pre-recorded so you can access it during the service (10:30 Sunday morning) or later. 

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Prayer: Father, thank You for Jesus.  And thank You for the Law and Prophets that point us to our Savior and Lord. May we honor Christ by understanding the Law and the Prophets so that we might live in accordance with Your desires. In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36; 1^st Corinthians 2:14

Missing U

Good Morning! 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z

What’s wrong with the above?  I’m missing U.

Last night was another Wonderful Wednesday with Helen First Baptist Church.  Note the connective word is “with” and not “at”.  Those who have attended the physical plant we call Helen First Baptist Church would agree that God has given the members of this local body of Christ a beautiful place to gather for worship … but that physical plant is not the “church”.  The church consists of “the called out ones” … people who have been confronted with their desire to be as God; who have recognized that they are helpless in trying to be made right with God; and who have committed themselves to Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior.  This body of believers are committed to live transformed lives … in accordance with Romans 12:1-2:

12 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, [a]acceptable to God, which is your [b]spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this [c]world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may [d]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [e]acceptable and perfect.

Footnotes:

a.     Romans 12:1 Or well-pleasing

b.     Romans 12:1 Or rational

c.     Romans 12:2 Or age

d.     Romans 12:2 Or approve

e.     Romans 12:2 Or well-pleasing

[Quick Note: I tend to lean to the word “prove” rather than “approve” as given in footnote d. My thinking is that it is not our privilege to approve or disapprove of the will of God but rather our obligation to discover and live in accordance to His will and thus prove that His will is good, acceptable and perfect.]

This morning, as I was preparing to share the gist of last night’s message on the transfiguration of Christ, I began to think about one of the benefits of this time away from one another.  The last time we gathered for worship was March 15 … thirty days ago.  We did get together on April 21 to deliver food to those in need in our Bread of Life ministry … 154 units of food were given to people who need food … an increase of 50% above normal.  And some will gather again this coming Saturday to distribute food again … and we expect even more will come with need.

But this morning, I began to think how this period of separation from one another has made me more appreciative of my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.  Like Paul, who many times began his letters expressing his longing for his brothers and sisters in Christ, I find myself desiring to just see those folks I have taken for granted.  I thank God for reminding me of how precious each one of my Christian siblings are to me.

Similarly, I miss many of you who have been my brother or my sister in Christ for many years … some for almost forty years.  Our days come and go … and pile up into weeks and months and years … and, suddenly, we realize we are missing one another … and our hearts are heavy with desire to once again express our love for one another.  God has given us an opportunity to take a step back to appreciate the relationships He has given us in our lives.  So, I say to you on this good morning … I love you … I miss you … my heart’s desire is to see you.  And my prayer is that God will bless and keep you until we can once again see each other face to face … whether it be in this world or at Home with our Lord.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Prayer: Father, thank You for reminding me of how precious my brothers and sisters in Christ are to me. I ask that You move to end this pandemic so that all may once again gather to worship You and glorify Your Name. May we never again take the privilege of gathering in Your Name for granted. In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Romans 12:1-2