Daily Bible Nugget #736, Psalm 31:24

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 31:24  Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Cross Reference Bible Study from the UCRT:

Psalms 31:24
Be of good courage. *Psa 27:14, *Jos 1:6; +Jos 1:9, *Isa 35:3; *Isa 35:4, Luk 22:31, 32, Heb 12:12, 13, Jas 5:10, 11.

shall strengthen. *Psa 29:11; Psa 112:8; *Psa 138:3, *Luk 22:32, *Col 1:11.

all ye. *Psa 146:5, *Rom 15:12; *Rom 15:13, 1Pe 1:21.

that hope. or, wait. Psa 33:18; Psa 33:22, Job 14:14, T851. +Psa 42:11; Psa 71:5; Psa 94:19, Lam 3:24, Col 1:5; Col 1:23; Col 1:27, *Heb 6:18; *Heb 6:19, *1Pe 1:3; 1Pe 1:13; 1Pe 1:21, *1Jn 3:3.

From Ken Sagely’s Facebook Post:

Psalm 31.24 Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart; all ye that hope in the Lord.

Be of.
Psalm 27.13-14 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart. wait, I say, on the Lord.

Luke 22.31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift as wheat; 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Shall Strengthen
Psalm 29.11 The Lord will give Strength unto his people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.

Psalm 138.3 In the day when I cried, thou answeredst me, and Strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

Colossians 1.11 Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness

All Ye
Psalm 146.5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose Hope is in the Lord, his God;

Romans 15.13 Now the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in Hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 1.21 Who by Him do believe in God, who raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory, that your Faith and Hope might be in God.

Blessed Assurance , Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a fore taste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood,
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Saviour all the day long;
This is my story , this is my song,

Praising my Saviour all the day long!!!

 

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #735, Psalm 37:24

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psa 37:24  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (KJV)

Psa 37:24 Even if he has a fall he will not be without help: for the hand of the Lord is supporting him. (Basic English Bible)

My Comment:

It was 37 years ago today on March 13, 1986, shortly after 7:15 am, that I was not just “cast down,” I was shot down by an unknown assailant wielding a 9 millimeter handgun. I was shot at point-blank range in the back of my head.

I fell flat into the melting snow and mud of the teachers’ parking lot of Southeastern High School. I was robbed of what little cash I carried–33 dollars. My assailant was upset, saying “Is that all the money you teachers carry?” I refused to hand over my wallet, placing it back in my pocket. My ears were ringing. I did not even notice that my glasses had been knocked off by my fall.

The athletic director brought my broken glasses to me when he visited me in the hospital that morning. He was the one who called an ambulance and, assisted by my physics science teacher friend, Mr. Hackett, carried me to the back of the awaiting ambulance to the jeers of mocking students who saw me.

Mr. Hackett, upset by the despicable and disrespectful attitude of the students, tendered his resignation effective two weeks later. The young lady who processed his paperwork was saddened to learn of what happened to me. I had been her English teacher at Cass Technical High School, also in Detroit.

Mr. Hackett retrieved my teaching materials from my locked classroom closet in room 307 at Southeastern High School. I picked them up some while later from his law office. I am grateful for his help. Not long before, I had told Mr. Hackett of my new project of developing a new and corrected edition of the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. I had remarked that I was about 20% of the way through the task of typing it up. I had asked him to read the “Introduction” and “How to Use This Book” sections of the front matter. He said he thought what I had written should be understandable to any reader. I have never forgotten his comment, “It’s not done until it’s all done.”

Under my doctor’s guidance, I remained away from teaching until the fall of 1990. During that time I finished typing what became The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. It was ultimately published by Thomas Nelson, the world’s largest Bible publisher, thanks to Phil Stoner. Mr. Stoner also arranged for my greatly expanded edition of these cross references to be published as a premium module titled The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury for the free e-Sword Bible software.

This month, a newly improved edition of my New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge is now available in printed book form anywhere books are sold, including on line at Amazon and Christian Book Distributors (CBD). It is also available in digital format.

Being shot in the teachers’ parking lot on the way into school is not a fun experience. Things did not always go well the next few years. I had accrued well over a hundred “catastrophe days,” sick days accumulated over many years of teaching above and beyond the maximum that could be accrued in my “sick bank.” I had perfect attendance for many, many years. By contract provision, those days were to be used first in the event of a school-related accident or  catastrophe that prevented me from teaching. The Detroit Board of Education refused to draw upon my bank of “catastrophe days” first as the contract clearly stipulated.

My paychecks were initially sent to the wrong school so I did not get them until many weeks later. One time the Board of Education attempted to take back my paycheck by recalling money deposited in my Detroit Teachers Credit Union account. Fortunately, my wife had already accessed these funds and withdrew them before they could be withdrawn. We abruptly closed the credit union account so that could not happen again. These kinds of mishandling of pay due me continued for several years. Finally, the school board took me to court, stating that I hated blacks and that I hated teaching.

I called my former student, Pastor Emery Moss, Jr., to ask for prayer regarding my court appearance. Pastor Moss said, “Absolutely not. I am not just going to pray for you, I am going to be there myself.” Pastor Moss’s wife sat with my wife while Pastor Moss, my attorney, and I were called to a hearing. When Pastor Moss heard the charge by the Board of Education attorney, Pastor Moss politely but firmly dressed him down in a hurry. Pastor Moss related how he went with me to the Green Tree Coffee House on the west side inner city of Detroit on Saturdays when I tutored black students for free using my reading program.

Pastor Moss related how his parents would never allow him as a teenager to enter that neighborhood unless he was in the company of Mr. Smith. “Yet, here was Mr. Smith, week after week, giving of his time to enter this dangerous neighborhood unafraid to help these students improve their reading skills.” Pastor Moss went on to say that a charge that Mr. Smith hates blacks is nonsense. Pastor Moss said, “I could fill this court’s auditorium with former students of his that I know personally who would testify that Mr. Smith loves teaching and loves his black students.”

Then Pastor Moss concluded by testifying that he is an expert witness on the subject of race relations. He stated he has been an instructor teaching race relations at Selfridge Airforce Base for over twenty years. Pastor Moss said, “What I know about race relations I first learned from Mr. Smith.”

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Daily Bible Nugget #734, Ephesians 5:18

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

From Ken Sagely’s Facebook post:

1 Thessalonians 5.18 In Everything Give Thanks for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

EVERY.
Eph 5.20 Giving Thanks Always for All things to God the
Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4.6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by
prayer and supplication, with Thanksgiving, let your requests
be made known to God.

Colossians 3.17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving Thanks to God the Father
through Him.

Psalm 34.1 I will bless the Lord at All times: His Praise shall
continually be in my mouth.

Hebrews 13.15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer
the sacrifice of Praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips,
giving Thanks to His name.

Job 1.21 The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed
be the Name of the Lord.

FOR.
1 Peter 2.15 For this is the Will of God, that by doing good you may
put to silence the ignorance of foolish men

1 Peter 4.2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the
flesh for the lusts of men, but for the Will of God.

1 John 2.17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it: but
he who does the Will of God abides forever.

Sweet hour of Prayer, sweet hour of prayer,
thy wings shall my petition bear
to Him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless;
and since He bids me seek His face,

believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my ev’ry care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer.

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Daily Bible Nugget #733, Proverbs 18:24

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Pro 18:24  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (KJV)

Pro 18:24 A man of many friends will come to ruin but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Darby Bible, 1889)

Pro 18:24 There are friends who may be a man’s destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother. (Basic English Bible)

Pro 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (ESV)

Pro 18:24  Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Pro 18:24  Friends can destroy one another, but a loving friend can stick closer than family. (GW, God’s Word translation)

Pro 18:24  A man with many friends may be harmed by them, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (TLV, Tree of Life Version)

Pro 18:24  Some friendships don’t last for long, but there is one loving friend who is joined to your heart closer than any other! (TPT, The Passion Translation)

Pro 18:24  A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV, New International Version, 1984)

Pro 18:24  There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (NLT, New Living Translation, 2004)

My Comment:

Compare Proverbs 18:24 to 1 Corinthians 15:33,

1 Corinthians 15:33
33  So stop fooling yourselves! Evil companions will corrupt good morals and character.
The Passion Translation

See also Psalm 119:63,

Psa 119:63 I choose as my friends everyone who worships you and follows your teachings. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

Psa 119:63  I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. (KJV)

Always be extremely careful of the friends you choose and of anyone with whom you enter any kind of business relationship!

2 Corinthians 6:14
14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
King James Version

At one time it was possible to find reliable friends who regularly attended a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church. Even there you must be careful. It is more likely that you will find those of more mature faith among those who regularly attend prayer meetings and small group Bible studies, not just the Sunday services. Even there you must be careful to find those who are genuinely doers of the Word and not hearers only!

James 1:22
22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
King James Version

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Some Atheists still claim Jesus never existed

Posted on March 5, 2023 by Jerry

The Atheist Claim (based on a Dr. Bart Ehrman quotation):

“In the entire first Christian century Jesus is not mentioned by a single Greek or Roman historian, religion scholar, politician, philosopher or poet. His name never occurs in a single inscription, and it is never found in a single piece of private correspondence. Zero! Zip references!” Dr. Bart Ehrman, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

My Comment here (not a part of the Facebook discussion):

On this point, Dr. Bart Ehrman would be rather easy to refute:

(1) Why should it be expected that such a small group of Christian believers in the earliest years of Christianity would be noticed by Greek or Roman historians?

(2) Much of what Greek and Roman historians wrote has been lost. Many works we know were written have not survived to our time.

(3) Consider that Dr. Bart Ehrman argues from the silence of early historians; the argument from silence is a very weak position to hold.

(4) The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence!

(5) Josephus was a Jewish writer who lived at that time and he clearly mentions John the Baptist, James the brother of Jesus, and Pilate who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.

(6) Tacitus in his writings mentions Christ in his Annals, and Pliny’s letter is well known.

(7) The 27 primary source First Century documents assembled in the New Testament mention Jesus  many times and have no reasonable basis upon which to question their historicity.

My Response (on Facebook) to the Opening Post:

Dr. Bart Ehrman has not thought this through very carefully when he makes such a claim.

 

Response to me by HJH:

he doesn’t have to “think” it through as you put it, he’s not a philosopher, he has fact on his side and is very well sourced.

My response to HJH:

Had he carefully thought this through, he would not have missed the obvious fact that Christianity started out small, and so would not have been particularly noticed by the Roman authorities who thought the Christians were merely a subset of the Jews.

HJH responded to me:

I’m pretty sure he’s aware of that fact. This is just one quote and it’s true, with your superior reading skills, I’m surprised you didn’t think more about context before asserting your own.

My response to HJH:

I have read Dr. Ehrman’s arguments over a good many years.

In short, he started out with full faith in the Bible, but when he learned there are variations in the Greek texts of extant manuscripts, it “threw him for a loop,” so to speak, and he never integrated what appeared to be an irrefutable disconnect between what he was taught about the divine inspiration of the Bible and the fact that we have no original autograph copies of any of the texts of the New Testament with his faith.

Now, he has written a good number of popular books which greatly overstate his arguments and evidence against the integrity and historicity of the New Testament text.

Dr. Ehrman overstates the case about the “400,000 manuscript variations” and makes much more of these than any sensible Bible scholar engaged in textual criticism–the work of determining the original text of the New Testament–would.

His mentor at Princeton University, Dr. Bruce Metzger, was never led to take such a radical position concerning the New Testament text.

Despite Dr. Ehrman’s widely known radical and sensational public stance, he is an acknowledged authority on the text of the New Testament and when he is writing to a scholarly audience he is not so blatantly radical.

MM responded to HJH:

he’s gone back on this statement as of late. When I posted it on his post he blocked me.

Comment by Duane Burgess:

Ehrman is an unbeliever, a false teacher, and has been soundly, biblically refuted.

The OP is another entire waste of time.

 

Posted in Apologetics Issues--Agnosticism, Apologetics Issues--Atheism, Bible Historicity and Validity | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

March is Reading Month!

Posted on March 5, 2023 by Jerry

Don’t complain about the problem. Produce a solution that works. That is what I did.

I posted this comment on Representative Lisa McLain’s Facebook post:

My solution

Thank you for supporting “March is reading month”!

As a former reading specialist in the Detroit Public Schools, I have been on my own “Reading Crusade” for many years.

I am thankful that I had the opportunity to successfully raise the achievement of my students consistently and remarkably for nearly 40 years.

When my high school had a persistent 70% drop-out rate as measured by entering ninth grade classes of 1000 but graduating twelfth grade classes of 300 students, my students maintained good attendance, measurably improved in their reading comprehension, almost never dropped out, and went on to be successful in college and careers after high school graduation.

My secret? I wrote a self-instructional reading program for my students to use. Coaches had their athletes come to me for tutoring. Coach Stuckey at Denby High School shared with me a list of 21 students who received full athletic scholarships to college. As a result of using my book, The Language Enrichment Program, they scored high enough on the SAT or ACT to qualify for the scholarships they received. My book is now available on Amazon. It works for students of any age or grade level, grade 3 to college.

Jo Roderick responded:

Detroit news posted Michigan 4th graders ranked 32nd in 2019 IN THE NATION. Now they are rated 43rd.

If she can’t help them, what would?

She got her photo op, though.

You retired….

Why does lisa brag about children that low in education?

Shelley O’Brien responded to Jo Roderick:

If she had her way, there wouldn’t be a Department of Education. Maybe if she stops voting “nay” for legislation that would support children I might be able to take her concern for them seriously.

My response to Jo Roderick:

After I retired I continued to support a successful reading program that effectively raises the reading comprehension level of students by two years or grade levels on average in less than one semester by placing it on Amazon at considerable expense to me. Now any person can benefit.

I was made a reading specialist at Southeastern High School in Detroit when I was a world and American history teacher. It was discovered that the way I had been teaching history raised my students’ reading achievement on the required standardized achievement tests such that Southeastern was the most improved in reading achievement of Detroit’s 22 high schools.

People need to quit complaining about student low reading achievement when there is a proven solution readily available to any parent or teacher. Just search for “Jerome Smith The Language Enrichment Program” under “books” on Amazon.

 

 

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Atheists’ claimed Bible contradiction answered

Posted on March 4, 2023 by Jerry

Atheist Meme:

God cannot be seen or heard: Exodus 33:20. John 5:37.

BIBLE CONTRADICTION!

Yes—God has been seen and heard:  Genesis 3:9, 10.  Exodus 33:11.

Atheist Opening Post:

Non sense from the bible

John 1:18

No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Genesis 32:30

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Exodus 33:11

And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Exodus 24:9-11

Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink. KJV

 

Atheist JA response:

If only Duane could ‘splain. I’m sure Woods could in Greek. Kathy can’t touch this. The Mikes, they’re a bipolar neuronal shunt. Now Jerome Smith ! I’m sure he’s got a library of random archaic apologetic authors to sling at this.

My response:

From my book, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, an expansion of my book, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, explanatory note on John 1:18,

Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

hath seen God. Note.—That is, hath seen God as He is in Himself, or apart from some form assumed to render Himself visible: and thus this passage and the following references are not contradictory to Gen 32:30, or Exo 24:9, 10, or Exo 33:11, or Mat 5:8, Moreover there is reason to believe that, on the occasions recorded in the Old Testament, it was The Word or Christ who appeared in the form of that nature in which he was afterwards to be revealed. Compare Isa 6:1 with Joh 12:41, and 1Co 10:4; 1Co 10:9 (De Burgh, p. 226). Such pre-incarnate appearances of Christ are sometimes called Christophanies (Joh 8:56; Joh 8:58; Joh 12:41). For Theophanies see +Gen 12:7 and +Gen 17:1). See also Gen 19:24 note and Gen 22:15 note. Joh 5:37; Joh 6:46; Joh 12:45, Gen 16:10; **Gen 17:22; +Gen 32:30, Exo 24:10; *Exo 33:20; **Exo 33:23, Num 14:14, Deut 4:11, 12, *Jdg 6:22; *Jdg 13:22, +1Ki 22:19, Job 42:5, *Ecc 3:11, Eze 10:1, Amos 9:1, Mat 11:27, Luk 10:22, Rom 1:20, *Col 1:15, *1Ti 1:17; +*1Ti 6:16, 1Jn 4:12; 1Jn 4:20, 3Jn 1:11.

 

JA responded:

so you’re saying christ is not god or a god and any one who said they saw god was just seeing the word of god. But I’m sorry, the OT in this specific case is contradictory to the ordinary mind like mine. So to be a true believer requires extensive research by previous true believers, as in your case. So what is the biblical metric of research required to give a dude like me advice, how do you qualify, and where does it say anything about misunderstanding like if you’re a C student (average) versus an A student like yourself.

Because to the limited minds like Rodney and I what seems to be contradictory to the most casual observer, we’re gonna burn in hell forever and ever and ever and ever, to infinity and beyond.

 

My response to JA:

You responded to my commentary by asserting:

(1) “so you’re saying christ is not god or a god and any one who said they saw god was just seeing the word of god.”

What is the basis for such a conclusion on your part?

I did not say Christ is not God. The very Scripture passages I referred to actually prove that our Lord Jesus Christ is God, for He is the One who was seen in His pre-incarnate appearances, called Christophanies. Jesus asserts it is He that was seen by Isaiah:

John 12:41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him.

Isaiah 6:3

3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
King James Version

Isaiah 6:5

5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
King James Version

Jesus asserts that it is He whom Abraham saw:

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Genesis 17:1

1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
King James Version

Genesis 17:19

19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
King James Version

Note: Yitzchak, which we change into Isaac, signifies laughter; in allusion to Abraham’s laughing, Gen 17:17, By this Abraham did not express his unbelief or weakness of faith, but his joy at the prospect of the fulfillment of so glorious a promise; and to this our Lord evidently alludes, Joh 8:56.

Genesis 17:21

21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
King James Version

Genesis 18:14

14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
King James Version

Genesis 21:1

1 And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
King James Version

Gen 21:2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Gen 21:3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.

Yes, since Jesus is called the Word, when people saw God, they saw the Word of God, as found in John 1:1 and John 1:14,

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

I look forward to responding to more of your comment soon.

 

My further response to JA:

You further responded to my commentary by asserting:

(2) “But I’m sorry, the OT in this specific case is contradictory to the ordinary mind like mine.”

When read with the intent to learn what it says and means, the Bible becomes clearer the more you read and study it.

(3) “So to be a true believer requires extensive research by previous true believers, as in your case.”

The Bible is a self-explanatory Book. Even the Bible itself declares it is understandable. As for the extensive research done by previous believers, we surely can benefit from the results of their studies when we encounter questions that we at first cannot answer ourselves by our own study.

But the best first step is to let the Bible explain itself by reading it and noticing what it says about a subject throughout its text. I did this as a teenager by marking in the margin of my Bible the subject of a verse with a short symbol then reading in sequence where the same subject is mentioned all the verses I found on that subject.

I find it interesting that the very verses cited in the Opening Post are the same verses I have placed on this subject in my published Bible study resource which I cited from above.

(4) “So what is the biblical metric of research required to give a dude like me advice, how do you qualify, and where does it say anything about misunderstanding like if you’re a C student (average) versus an A student like yourself.”

a) The Biblical metric of research required is stated in the Bible itself:

First, we are cautioned to carefully go by the Bible itself as seen in a passage like Isaiah 8:20,

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Second, we are to search the Scriptures, as Jesus stated:

John 5:39

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
King James Version

Those who listened to the teaching of Paul at Berea searched the Scriptures daily to verify the truth and correctness of Paul’s teaching:

Acts 17:11

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
King James Version

b) the metric required to give someone advice is stated in the Bible itself:

1 Timothy 4:16

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
King James Version

2Ti 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

c) as to how one qualifies to teach others, the answer is by having come to know the Scripture through careful, systematic, study:

2Ti 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

My further response continued:

You ask a most insightful question:

(5) and where does it say anything about misunderstanding like if you’re a C student (average) versus an A student like yourself.

The way to avoid misunderstanding is to do the opposite, namely, get understanding:

Psalms 119:104

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
King James Version

Psalms 119:130

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
King James Version

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psa 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

2 Peter 3:18

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
King James Version

 

 

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #732, Exodus 18:21

Posted on March 2, 2023 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Exo 18:21  Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

Exo 18:22  And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

My Comment:

Read carefully, Exodus 18:21 furnishes insight into how to effectively “make disciples” (Matthew 28:20). A major principle illustrated here is the need to work in smaller groups, ideally groups of ten or twelve or less. These groups need to be continuing groups that continue to meet for spiritual growth, instruction, discipleship, and fellowship. They need to meet often, not just once a month. Weekly and more often as possible is best. Unfortunately, many if not most churches are not structured for fellowship. But they could be, and if they are to be effective in the mission of reaching others with the Gospel, they must be.

The notes and cross references I have placed at Exodus 18:21 will provide further guidance about disciple making:

Bible Study Notes from the NTSK and UCRT:

Exodus 18:21
Moreover. Deut 1:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, Act 6:3.

provide. or, see. i.e. look out for. Exo 24:11, Gen 22:8, Job 19:26, 27, Psa 11:4; Psa 11:7; Psa 17:2, Pro 24:32, Song 6:13, Isa 30:10 (prophesy). Lam 2:14, (S# H2372).

able men. T312, Exo 18:25, Deut 1:13; Deut 1:15; Deut 16:18, 1Ki 3:9, 10, 11, 12, 1Ch 26:8, Pro 28:2, *2Ti 2:2, Tit 1:5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

such as fear God. Exo 9:20; Exo 23:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Gen 22:12; *Gen 42:18, *2Sa 23:3, 1Ki 18:3; 1Ki 18:12, *2Ch 19:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Neh 5:9; *Neh 5:15; Neh 7:2, Job 1:1; Job 1:8; Job 2:3, +*Psa 119:38, Pro 1:7, Ecc 12:13, *Mat 10:28, Luk 18:2; Luk 18:4.

men of truth. Job 29:16; Job 31:13, Isa 16:5; Isa 59:4; Isa 59:14, 15, Jer 5:1, Eze 18:8, Zec 7:9; Zec 8:16, +*Act 6:3.

hating covetousness. Exo 23:8, *Deut 16:18; *Deut 16:19, 1Sa 8:3; 1Sa 12:3, 4, +*2Ki 12:15, Psa 26:9, 10; +*Psa 119:36, *Pro 28:16, *Isa 33:15, Eze 22:12; *Eze 33:31, Mat 13:22, *Mar 7:21; *Mar 7:22, *Luk 12:15, +*Act 6:3; Act 20:33, +*1Co 4:2, +*2Co 7:2; **2Co 8:20, 1Ti 3:3; 1Ti 6:5; 1Ti 6:9, 10, 11, 2Pe 2:14, 15.

rulers of thousands. Note: Whatever matter the decarch, or ruler over ten, could not decide, went to the pentecontarch, or ruler over fifty, and thence by degrees to the hecatontarch, or ruler over a hundred, to the chiliarch, or ruler over a thousand, to Moses, and at length to God himself. Each magistrate had the care or inspection of only ten men; the decarch superintended ten private individuals; the hecatontarch, ten decarchs; and the chiliarch, ten hecatontarchs. An exactly similar system obtained in the kingdom of Peru (See Heriot’s Canada, p. 565). Num 10:4, Deut 1:15, Jos 22:14, 1Sa 8:12. But contrast Young’s comment here (Concise Critical Comments), “This advice, though excellent as a whole, was carrying the divisions too far; for 600,000 men there must have been, according to this plan, 60,000 heads of tens, 6000 heads of hundreds, 600 heads of thousands, in all 78,600 judges! It was apparently found unworkable, for at a later period seventy elders were chosen, and fitted to assist him.” Yet reference to thousands throughout the rest of the Old Testament may suggest some form of this organization remained in place (+*Mic 5:2). Exo 24:1; Exo 24:9, +*Jos 22:21, Jdg 6:15, *Psa 84:10 note. +*Mic 5:2, Luk 10:1; Luk 10:17, Act 4:32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37.

rulers of hundreds. Jdg 7:16, 1Sa 25:13, Act 1:15.

rulers of fifties. Gen 18:24; Gen 18:26, Mar 6:40, %Luk 10:1; %Luk 10:17.

rulers of tens. As noted, by this system each magistrate, ruler, or leader would have the care of only ten men. Studies of small-group dynamics suggest that 10 or 12 is the maximum size for a group where effective listening to one another (+Rom 12:5, 1Co 14:26, Eph 5:19, 20, 21, Jas 5:16) can occur, essential for effective nurturing (Eph 6:4), comfort (2Co 1:4), caring (+*1Ti 3:5), exhortation (+*Heb 3:13), and fellowship (Mal 3:16) for spiritual growth and the discipling of new leadership (1Ti 4:16, 2Ti 2:2). It was prescribed in Jewish practice that ten men as heads of families were required to establish a local synagogue, or to conduct a service. Where a building for the purpose was not available, Edersheim notes “they might meet for worship in a private dwelling, a sort of ’Synagogue in the house’ (Phm 1:2)” (The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, vol. 1, p. 433). *Gen 18:32, Rth 4:2, 1Sa 25:5, Mat 10:1, Act 19:7.

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Daily Bible Nugget #731, Psalm 42:8

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psa 42:8  Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

My Comment:

Psalm 42 is instructive in times of joy, trial, or difficulty. Jesus quoted from this Psalm (Psalm 42:6 is quoted in Matthew 26:38 as He is about to begin is prayer in Gethsemane; it is also cited in John 12:27).

From Ken Sagely’s Facebook post of 2/28/23:

Bible Gems
Cast Down
Psalm 42.5 Why are you cast down , O my Soul ? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope Thou In God, for I shall yet Praise Him for the Help of His countenance.

Hope
Lamentations 3.24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul,
therefore will I Hope in him.

Psalm 21.13 Be Thou exalted ,Lord, in Thine own strength:
so will we sing and Praise Thy Power.

Psalm 34.1 I will bless the Lord at All times: His praise
shall Continually be in my mouth.

1 Peter 1.6-7 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a
season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold
temptations. vs 7 That the trial of your faith, being much
more precious than of gold that perisheth , though be
tried with fire, might be found unto Praise and Honour
and Glory at the Appearing of Jesus Christ.

Romans 5.3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations
also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience, 4
And patience, experience; and experience, Hope: 5
And Hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit
which is given unto us.

Job 13.15 Though He slay me, yet will I Trust in Him.

1 Samuel 30.6 David Encouraged himself in the Lord.

Psalm 56.3 What time I am afraid, I will Trust in Thee.

Psalm 84.12 O Lord of Hosts , Blessed is the man that
Trusteth in Thee.

Psalm 2.12 Blessed are All they that put their Trust in Him.

A Mighty Fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing ; Our
helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For
still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft
and power are great, And armed with cruel hate, On earth
not his equal. Did we in our strength confide, Our striving
would losing. Were not the right Man on our side, The Man
of God’s own choosing, Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus , It is He; Lord Sabaoth His name From age
to age the same, And He must win the battle. God’s truth
abideth still, His Kingdom is forever. Amen

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My answer to Muslim claim that Islam is the religion of good morals

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Jerry

Muslim documentation in the Opening  Post:

Islam is the religion of Good Morals:

================================

Abu Ad-Darda’ reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“Nothing is heavier on the scale than good character.”

Al-Adab Al-Mufrad

—————————————————————–

Abdullah ibn ‘Amr said:

“The Prophet, (PBUH), was neither coarse nor loud. He used to say:

“The best of you is the one who has the best character.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari 6035

—————————————————————–

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), said,

“I was sent to perfect good character.”

Al-Adab Al-Mufrad

Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)

My Answer:

No match for the morality of our Lord Jesus Christ who lived an absolutely sinless life.

Muslim Moderator (MM) response:

how can you attribute to Jesus or God that a rape victim should be forced to marry her rapist. Or women are not allowed to speak in the church. Or a non virgin should be stoned to death if her husband declares she is not a virgin. Or a slave that should obey his master.

Are these the biblical morality you attribute to Jesus and God!?

My Response to MM:

Where in the Koran does it teach to love your enemies and pray for them? That is what Jesus taught.

Where in the Koran does it state the equivalent of what is commanded in Romans 12:19?

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Now as for the matters you have mentioned (a rape victim should be forced to marry her rapist), it would help me answer your question or challenge if you give me the Bible reference you are referring to.

In any case, I look forward to returning to answer all your questions soon. It is getting late for me in my time zone to attempt to answer your questions adequately tonight.

Thank you for asking good questions.

MM response to me:

Allah teaches us to be Just with people even our enemies. He commands us not to be unjust with those who are unjust towards us. Understand that.

You say Romans 19:12 [Romans 12:19]. Well this is what it says in Leviticus 24:17

“‘Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death”.

Do not see these contradictions that men have made to the Bible. How can this be attributed to Our Perfect Lord Our Creator. How!?

And before you say that Leviticus 24:17 is the old law read Matthew 5:17-18 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose

Think about the angle im presenting here.

The law for raped girls begin forced to marry their rapist. Deuteronomy 22:28-29. “If a man is caught in the act of raping a young woman who is not engaged, he must pay fifty pieces of silver to her father. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he will never be allowed to divorce her.” This is Madness

Pure Is Allah above all these things. You really wanna learn about Isslamic morales read a book called Adab ul Mufrad.

My response to MM:

You comment:

“Allah teaches us to be Just with people even our enemies. He commands us not to be unjust with those who are unjust towards us. Understand that.”

If true, this is good. Where in the Koran is this taught?

You ask:

“do you love Hitler?”

If he were still alive I would love him enough to pray for his conversion to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus taught:

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

As for Leviticus 24:17, taken in context, this law involves prescribing the death penalty for intentional murder of another person. These laws in context set a limit upon the extent of punishment to be rendered for violent crimes. These laws establish the principle of the rule of law, not of men:

Lev 24:17 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.

Lev 24:18 And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast.

Lev 24:19 And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;

Lev 24:20 Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again.

Lev 24:21 And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.

Lev 24:22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.

I plan to return later today to answer more of your questions.

MM responded to me:

To begin with here are three verses from the Qur’an.

“O you who believe! Stand firmly for Allah as Just Witnesses, and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you Unjust. Be just! That is closer to Righteousness. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” (Surah 5 verse)

“And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation – his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers.” (Surah: 42 Verse 40)

And worship Allah and do not associate with Him anything, and be good to parents and to kinsmen and orphans and the needy and the close neighbour and the neighbour who are strangers and the companion at your side and the wayfarer and to the prisoners of war you own. Surely, Allah does not like those who are arrogant, proud (Surah 4 verse 36)

Moving on…Hitler was a Christian. He grew up as a Christian in a country that identified as a Christian country. His mother and father were both Christians. These are the facts. To assume anything else has no basis.

So Hitler is a Christian. So i ask, “Do you love him” And he, according to your belief, will be forgiven for his crimes because You say Jesus died for you sins. Is that not what Christianity teaches. Think deeply about what im saying. Dont just try and be right or sound right. Reason man!

Moving on…

Can you not see that you yourself is highlighting biblical verses that are contradicting. What is it! do you forgive thy neighbour or do you blemish him if he blemishes you!?

Think man! Use your Reason. Our Creator is Perfect man. Dont just try and be right. Use your intellect and think independently.

Lastly and very interestingly you have made no further mention of the forcing the rape victim to marry her rapist as stated in the Bible…

Our Creator says:

“Do you enjoin righteousness upon others while you ignore your own selves, although you keep recite the Scripture? Will you not then reason?” (Surah Baqarah Verse 44)

My reply to MM:

There is no evidence that Adolf Hitler was ever a genuine Christian. And even if it were possible to prove that he was, the Bible firmly teaches the doctrine and danger of apostacy. Apostacy results in no salvation.

Thank you for furnishing the verses I asked for from the Koran.

You comment:

“Can you not see that you yourself is highlighting biblical verses that are contradicting. What is it! do you forgive thy neighbour or do you blemish him if he blemishes you!?”

The Bible does not contradict itself. When you think you have found a contradiction, almost always the problem arose because you have misread or misunderstood the Bible.

There is nothing in what the Lord Jesus Christ taught that suggests that those who believe in Him are to engage in tit-for-tat retaliation against our enemies. That is why I cited Romans 12:19,

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (KJV)

Rom 12:19 Beloved, don’t be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God’s righteous justice. For the Scriptures say: “If you don’t take justice in your own hands, I will release justice for you,” says the Lord. (TPT)

You comment:

“Lastly and very interestingly you have made no further mention of the forcing the rape victim to marry her rapist as stated in the Bible…”

I plan to return to explain that next. I have not forgotten.

 

MM replied to me:

see you fail to accept facts. Hitlers mother and father were Christians. Whats apostasy got to do with it…?

According to your belief, anyone who accepts christ his/her sins are forgiven, irrespective of what sin they had done.

You say the bible does not contradict its self. Then explain are you to Forgive your enemy or is it eye for an eye. Which is it?

I look forward to your answer insight regarding the rape victim being forced to marry her rapist.

 

My reply to MM:

Thank you for your patience in awaiting my answer.

(1) As for Adolf Hitler, the faith of his parents has no bearing upon his own personal salvation and relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. His salvation is a matter of his continuing relationship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (John 17:1-3). If this relationship was never established, he was never saved and therefore never a Christian. If he did establish a relationship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, if he failed to continue (Colossians 1:23) in that relationship by engaging in moral or doctrinal apostacy, he no longer was saved.

Joh 17:1 When Jesus had said all these things, He lifted His eyes to heaven and said: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that He may glorify you,

Joh 17:2 just as you have given Him authority over all mankind to give eternal life to all whom you have given Him.

Joh 17:3 Now eternal life means knowing you as the only true God and knowing Jesus your messenger as Christ. (Williams NT)

(2) The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7) if we walk in the light as He is in the light. If we fail to continue in that walk, we are no longer saved (John 8:31. Colossians 1:23).

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (KJV)

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (KJV)

Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

(3) As for whether we are to forgive our enemies or retaliate “an eye for an eye,” the Bible does not contradict itself. Jesus commanded us to forgive our enemies. That is a command to each of us as individuals. The issue of “an eye for an eye” is a limitation on the degree of punishment that judges in Israel were allowed to require after judicial investigation. It has no reference to personal retaliation of one individual against another.

(4) Concerning the matters about rape in Deuteronomy 22:

a) adultery between two consenting adults, a man and an engaged woman:

Deu 22:23 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;

Deu 22:24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.

b) the forcible rape of an engaged woman, whose innocence is assumed:

Deu 22:25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die:

c) the seduction of an unengaged woman (see also Exodus 22:16, 17):

Deu 22:28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;

Deu 22:29 Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

The underlying Hebrew text is so worded that the damsel is not forced to marry the rapist, but if she does, the man she marries may not divorce her.

In any case, that man is required to give her father “fifty shekels of silver,” what we might call a dowry. This custom was designed to soften the economic blow to the family from the loss of their daughter’s labor in the family.

Therefore, to suppose that the victim of forcible rape was required to marry her rapist is a mistaken and utter misreading of the text.

[I used two resources by Paul Copan from my Logos Bible software program which helped me formulate a clearer explanation of Deuteronomy 22:23-28.]

 

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