Daily Bible Nugget #184, John 20:31

The Nugget:

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed to produce faith. This means saving faith. The Gospel of John, even all by itself, contains what you and everyone else needs to know, in fact, must know, to be saved. This means to be a genuine Christian. This has nothing to do with church membership. Which church saves? None of them do, and none of them can. There are some churches that think and teach that they are the one true church. The Roman Catholic Church believes that it is the one true church because only it goes back to the original apostles and boasts the distinction that Peter was its first Pope. I have an interesting book coming soon in electronic format whose very first paragraph will demolish such claim. While there has been a church at Rome since Apostolic times, it is clear that the church at Rome was essentially a missionary outreach of the Greek church. The Roman Catholic Church belligerently split off from the Greek Catholic Church, so the Greek Catholic Church for a thousand years was the center of Christianity historically. The Roman Catholic Church in that sense would seem to me to be a “Johnny-come-lately.” In terms of what church was in charge during the first several great church councils, it was not the Pope at Rome! No one in those days seems to have even heard of such a thing. Now the Roman Catholic Church and its apologists make some reference to the idea that Protestantism did not come along until Martin Luther. In essence, then, in Roman Catholic estimation, all non-Roman Catholics are the spiritual offspring of Martin Luther. Roman Catholic apologists seem to think Martin Luther was a terrible heretic, so all non-Roman Catholics of the Protestant variety are too. Well, I disagree. I have an interesting book at hand titled The Pilgrim Church, by E. H. Broadbent which tells a much different, and very interesting story of many historically independent groups of Bible-believing Christians who maintained their faith through many centuries by going by the Bible. They shunned all connection with any hierarchical church. Now there are those who will fault these groups as heretical. I found it most interesting in my reading to notice that sometimes what we know of these groups is only preserved in accounts by their enemies. But in one or two instances I was able to check my resources here to dig deeper into some of that history more fully than what is contained in Broadbent’s volume. I was amazed to learn why at least one or two of these groups or their leaders for which I have information were considered heretical. The reason turned out to be that they went by what is taught in the New Testament, and did not accept any belief or practice they could not find there. Sounds to me like their accusers have been the heretics all along, and that the so-called heretics were the ones who taught the truth of the Bible! All that to say, all you need to start with is the Gospel of John. Read it until you understand its life-saving message. Then you will know that you have eternal life (John 5:24).

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1209 for John 20:31.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1228 or in Logos 5 Bible software for John 20:31.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

John 20:31. But these. Emphatic in Greek. ver. Jn 20:28. Jn 1:49. 6:69, 70. 9:35-38. 19:35. *Jn 21:25. *Ps 2:7, 12. +*Mt 16:16. +*Mt 27:54n. Lk 1:3, 4. *Ac 8:37. 9:20. Ro 1:3, 4. 1 J 4:15. 5:1, 10, 20. *2 J 1:9. Re 2:18. are written, that. or, have been (and therefore stand) written. T#1041. Dt 29:29. Ps 102:18. Pr 22:21. Ec 12:12. Lk 1:1. Ac 11:14. **Ro 10:17. +*Ro 15:4. +**2 Tim 3:15-17. 1 J 1:1-4. **1 J 5:13. ye might. or, may. Jn 5:34. 11:15, 42. 19:35. Ro 10:14. believe. ver. 29. +Jn 11:27. Ex 4:5. Is 43:10. that Jesus is. +Mt 1:1. 16:20. +Mk 8:29. the Christ. Mt 16:20. 26:63. Mk 1:1. Lk 2:11, 26. 4:18-21, 41. 9:20. the Son of God. Jn 1:34. 10:36. +Mt 14:33. Mk 5:7. **Mk 9:7. Lk 1:35. 4:41. believing. Jn 2:11. **Jn 3:15, 16, 18, +Jn 3:36. *Jn 5:24, 39, 40. 6:40. 10:10. *Mk 16:16. Ac 8:37. **Ac 16:31. 20:21. 2 C 1:19. *Ga 2:16. 3:22. 1 Tim 1:16. **He 10:39. 1 P 1:9. 1 J 2:23-25. **1 J 5:10-13. have life. Jn 6:53. +Jn 8:12. 12:50. +*Col 3:4. 2 Tim 1:10. **1 J 5:13. through. *Lk 24:47. Ac 3:16. *Ac 10:43. *Ac 13:38, 39. Ro 5:1. 6:11. *1 Cor 6:11. his name. FS121T1, +Dt 28:58. i.e. the Truth revealed by him under the names just mentioned, as Jesus, the Christ or Messiah, and the Son of God (De Burgh, p. 297). +Jn 1:12. +Jn 14:13. 17:11, 12. +Dt 28:58. +Ac 3:6. 4:10, 12. 10:43. +Ac 15:26. +1 Cor 1:10. 6:11. **1 J 5:13.

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Daily Bible Nugget #183, Ephesians 5:26

The Nugget:

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for sanctifying. The sanctification is accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ by means of the cleansing with the washing of water by the word. This is not a reference to water baptism. Water baptism is indeed commanded by Christ in Matthew 28:19, and that command has not been revoked anywhere in subsequent revelation recorded in the New Testament. The baptism mentioned here is real baptism accomplished by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God found in our day only in the Bible itself.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1367 for Ephesians 5:26.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1387 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Ephesians 5:26.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Ephesians 5:26. That he. *Jn 17:17-19. +*Ac 26:18. *1 Cor 6:11. *Titus 2:14. **He 9:14. *He 10:10. *1 P 1:2. Jude 1:1. might sanctify. or, might make her holy (LNT). Gr. hagiazō [(S#37g), to make holy (L-N 88.26): Mt 6:9g (Hallowed). Mt 23:17g, 19g. Lk 11:2g. Jn 10:36g. **Jn 17:17g, 19g. *Ac 20:32g. *Ac 26:18g. Ro 15:16g. 1 Cor 1:2g. *1 Cor 6:11g. *1 Cor 7:14g. 1 Tim 4:5g. 2 Tim 2:21g. He 2:11g. 9:13g. *He 10:10g, 14g, 29g. 13:12g. *1 P 3:15g. * Jude 1:1 g. Re 22:11g (be holy)]. Might make her holy translates hagiasē, an aorist active subjunctive. When we have a work of the Holy Spirit in mind, to make holy is a transformational experience, not a mere setting apart as under the Law (LNT, fn x). 2 Ch 29:5. Ezk 37:28. Jn 17:19. 1 Cor 1:2, 30. +*1 Th 4:3. He 10:14. 12:10. 13:12. and cleanse. or, having cleansed. Gr. katharizō (S#2511g, Mt 8:2). Having cleansed translates katharisas, to cleanse, i.e., the removal of impurities from whatever is cleansed. The Holy Spirit cleanses the believer from the fallen nature in Adam: Adamic nature, carnality, sin nature, in which we were conceived (Ps 51:5; Compare Ep 1:4, 7, 13 and notes). It is significant to note that when an aspect of salvation is in mind, katharizō (S#2511g, Mt 8:2) is always used of the cleansing work of the believer; when the sinner is saved from sin, dikaioō (S#1344g, Ro 8:30) is always used (LNT, fn y). Le 14:7. 16:30. Nu 19:19. Ezk 36:25. 37:23. Ml 3:3. Jn 2:6n. Titus 2:14g (purify). +2 P 1:9. *1 J 1:7, **1 J 1:9. with the washing. or, by the laver. Gr. loutron, *S#3067g, only here and Titus 3:5g. FS22M. The laver is put for Christ’s death and its results. Compare Nu 19:9, 17. Has nothing to do with baptism (CB). Washing of water is a picture, illustration, of the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit, and has nothing to do with ceremonial water baptism. The washing is real, transformational, and life-giving; this is water of eternal life (Compare Jn 4:10; 7:38, 39) [LNT, fn z]. =Ex 29:4. =Ex 30:18. Le 8:6. **Nu 19:9, 17. 2 K 5:13, 14n. +*Ps 51:7. Ezk 16:9. *Ezk 36:25. Zc 13:1. *Jn 3:5. 13:5, 8, 10. +*Ac 22:16. +*1 Cor 6:11. *Titus 3:5-7. +*He 10:22. *1 P 3:21. *1 J 5:6. Re 7:14. of water. Nu 31:23. Dt 23:11. Jn 19:34. 1 P 3:20. by the word. Gr. rhēma (S#4487g), Mk 9:32n. With a rhema or spoken word, is distinct from the written word. Rhema, the spoken word, is a reference to God’s intention, purpose, or promise (compare Jl 2:28; Ezk 36:26, 27). The Holy Spirit makes the believer holy as in wholly (1 Th 5:23, 24), and enables us to live accordingly (LNT, fn a). Ep 6:17. **Ps 119:9. *+Jn 15:3. 17:17. +Ro 10:8, 9. He 6:5. **He 11:3n. *James 1:18. *1 P 1:22, 23.

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Daily Bible Nugget #182, John 17:17

The Nugget:

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for sanctification. The English word “sanctify” is probably not in common use today except in religious circles. Modern English translations translate “Consecrate them by your truth” (Williams); “Hallow them in the truth” (Emphasized Bible); “Make them holy by the true word” (Bible in Basic English); “Set them apart in the truth” (NET Bible). However it is translated, it is God’s Word that produces the sanctification in our lives. That reminds me of what Jesus said, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” (John 15:3). You can see that the Bible can have a powerful, positive influence for good in the lives of those who will read it and come to believe it.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1203 for John 17:17.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1221 or in Logos 5 Bible software for John 17:17.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

John 17:17. Sanctify. T#1040. ver. Jn 17:19. **Jn 8:31, 32. **+Jn 15:3. Ex 31:13. Le 22:32. Nu 19:18. 1 Ch 15:12. Ps 12:6. *Ps 19:7-9. **Ps 119:9, 11, 104. Ezk 20:12. 37:28. *Lk 8:11, 15. *Ac 15:9. **Ac 26:18. 1 Cor 1:2, 30. **2 Cor 3:18. Ep 4:21-24. **Ep 5:26. +*1 Th 4:3. **1 Th 5:23. *2 Th 2:13. Titus 2:14. James 1:21. *1 P 1:22, 23. *2 P 1:4. 1 J 1:5, 6. thy truth. The truth is the great separating force. Compare Mt 10:35 (CB). +Jn 1:14. **Jn 14:6. 16:13. 18:38. Ps 119:142. Pr 8:7. thy word. The word that is Thine is the truth. The Incarnate and revealed Words alike. Compare Jn 5:33; 14:6; 16:13; Mt 22:16; *2 Cor 6:7; 13:8; Ga 2:5, 14; Ep 1:13 (CB). FS147G, +Ps 68:16. ver. Jn 17:6, 14. *Jn 8:32, 40, 44, 45. 15:3. 18:37. *2 S 7:28. *Ps 12:6. *Ps 17:4. *Ps 19:7-9. *Ps 119:9, 142, 144, 151, 152, 172. Lk 22:61, 62. **Ac 20:32. *Ep 4:21. *Ep 5:26. *2 Tim 2:15, 25, 26. **2 Tim 3:16, 17. **+1 Th 2:13. is truth. Ps 119:160. +*Pr 22:21. *Da 10:21. *Ep 1:13. **+1 Tim 2:4. James 1:18.

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Daily Bible Nugget #181, Psalm 19:7

The Nugget:

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for making wise the simple. The term “simple” in modern English translations is given as “the inexperienced” (NET Bible), “ordinary people” (CEV, Contemporary English Version), “the foolish” (Bible in Basic English). When it comes to understanding things about God we all start at the beginning. The Bible is designed to inform us, to make us wise, about the things of God. Notice that in this text, God declares His written Word is designed for ordinary people. In Proverbs 4:7 we are encouraged to make wisdom our priority in life. If the Bible is designed for ordinary people, then the Bible must be understandable by its own declaration. This proves the perspicuity of Scripture. When we make the Bible our primary source of knowledge about God and His will for our lives, we will indeed be given all the wisdom we need.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 544 for Psalm 19:7.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 596 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 19:7.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Ps 19:7. law. or, doctrine. +*Ps 1:2. 78:1-7. *Ps 119:72, 96-100, 105, 127, 128. 147:19, 20. *Dt 6:6-9. *Dt 17:18-20. 31:12. **Jsh 1:8. 2 S 16:23. *Ezr 7:10. Ne 9:13. 13:3. **Jb 23:12. Ro 2:18. 3:2. 7:7, 12. **Ro 15:4. Ep 6:17. 1 Tim 1:8. 4:6. +**2 Tim 3:16. perfect. T#45.2; T#1027. ver. Ps 19:8, 9. *Ps 18:30. 111:7. +*Ps 119:96. Dt 32:4. Pr 30:5. +Mt 5:48 (T#548). *Ro 12:2. James 1:17, 25. converting. or, restoring. Meshivah:—used of restoring from disorder and decay (Ps 80:19),—from sorrow and affliction (Ru 4:15),—from death (1 K 17:21, 22) [Kay]. T#47. *Ps 23:3. +*Ps 51:13. 56:4. *Ps 119:9, 93, *Ps 119:150. +Ps 126:5 (T#431). Jb 33:27. Mic 2:7. +Mk 4:14 (T#428). +**Jn 5:39. 6:63. 15:3. 17:17, 19. Ac 11:14. +Ac 27:31 (T#429). Ro 1:16. **Ro 10:17. +1 Cor 1:17 (T#430). +1 Cor 4:15 (T#432). Ep 6:17. **1 Th 2:13. **2 Tim 3:15. *James 1:18, 21-25. *1 P 1:23. +*1 P 2:2. soul. Heb. nephesh, +Ge 34:3. testimony. Eduth:—frequently used of the Decalogue,—which was God’s standing protestation to Israel. Ex 25:16, 21, 22, 26, etc. Hence the Tabernacle is called “ohel eduth;” Nu 9:15; 17:23; 18:2 [Kay]. FS132C. Parallelism, Simple: Synthetic, or Constructive F/S 351. This is where the parallelism consists only in the similar form of construction. There is neither gradation nor opposition of words in the several lines; which are independent, and depend for their parallelism on their construction. Here, in Ps 19:7-9, the lines are simply parallel, and are chiefly in pairs. See the terms law/testimony, statutes/commandment, fear/judgments. *Ps 89:37. *Ps 93:5. 119:14, 24, 111, 138, 152. Ex 32:15. 1 K 2:3. 2 K 23:3. Is 8:16, **Is 8:20. Jn 3:32, 33. **Jn 5:39. *Ac 10:43. *2 Cor 3:7. 2 Tim 1:8. *1 J 5:3, 9-12. *Re 19:10. sure. Ps 93:5. *Ps 111:7. 2 S 23:5. +*Mt 24:35n. Mk 13:31. Jn 17:17. *2 Tim 2:19. *He 6:18, 19. *2 P 1:19. making wise. T#1039. **Ps 119:98-100, 130. Dt 4:6, 8. Ezr 7:25. *Prov 1:4, 5, 22, 23. 2:6. *Prov 8:9. +**Is 8:20. 35:8. 45:19. %+*Je 8:9. Ezk 18:9. Lk 10:21. **Ro 15:4. *Col 3:16. **2 Tim 3:15-17. **1 P 2:2. simple. FS108K54, +Pr 1:4. Ps 116:6. Pr 7:7. *Pr 8:5, 6. 9:4. Ro 16:18.

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My Rant: The IRS has got to go!

Just 101 years ago the United States of America was utterly defrauded by its President, Woodrow Wilson, and politicians who established the Federal Reserve and the income tax.

I just spent half a day preparing and filing this year’s required tax forms for Federal and State income tax. Since I file only a “standard deduction,” the time involved is wasteful and uncalled for.

The income tax, the so-called Sixteenth Amendment, was never properly ratified. I have researched this subject in some detail and saved it on this computer. Many states, when they submitted their ratification documents, made changes to the wording of the Sixteenth Amendment, which by law nullified their submission. An individual went to each state involved in “ratifying” the documents and examined them first-hand. He proved that the Sixteenth Amendment was never properly ratified by the required number of states at the time. Therefore, as a consequence, the Federal Income Tax is illegal, and unconstitutional. But as you might have noticed of late, the laws of this nation are selectively enforced. Our current President says he has a pen and the power of his own executive orders to get around a Congress that will not bend to his wishes. Our own government on the Federal level is therefore lawless, and in some matters has been so for a long time. This is not the country our Founding Fathers had in mind. They made every attempt to provide us a limited Federal Government. You will notice that our current Federal Government keeps expanding its authority. Just lately, the misnamed “Affordable Care Act,” popularly called “Obamacare,” has gone beyond perhaps all previous efforts of the Federal Government to expand its role. And notice, please, that the powers that be put the IRS, the Internal Revenue Service, in charge of enforcement.

In the long run, the pen is mightier than the sword. The way to get rid of or overcome bad ideas is to present better ideas. The mind, once presented with a better idea, never returns to its former state.

Today is about the next-to-last date to submit comments about the IRS Proposed Rule: Guidance for Tax-Exempt Social Welfare Organizations on Candidate-Related Political Activities.

Here is the comment I just submitted:

This “rule” is a direct attack on my First Amendment rights of political speech–the right to use political speech, and my right to receive the political speech from others.

My right to stay informed is a necessary requirement for me to make informed choices in the voting booth. Staying informed is a necessary part of properly exercising my rights as a citizen.

The IRS is attempting to interfere with that right.

Any individual, whether politician or government employee, who engages in obstructing my God-given rights as listed in the first Ten Amendments to the Constitution needs to leave this country and live somewhere else compatible with their mistaken views. They most certainly have no business living here!

These proposed regulations are a scam designed to defraud the American people of their right to affect the outcome of future elections by “keeping them in the dark” by not permitting important “grass-roots” organizations such as the American Family Association, the ACLJ, the Campaign for Liberty, and many others from sharing what they know with me at my request.

They are a scam designed to keep information about what my own representatives in Congress, House and Senate, are supporting, out of my hands.

These proposed regulations are motivated by certain elected officials and members of Congress who fear being held accountable to and by the voters.

The IRS has already been caught red-handed, censoring conservative and Christian groups right before an election. These rules are meant to give the IRS authority to act with impunity in this matter of political censorship despite the widespread outcry against this ongoing IRS scandal.

Therefore, the IRS must not be permitted to institute such a regulation or rule as is being proposed.

Just what does this have to do with “The Bible and Politics” or “Justice and the Bible”?

Here is a Bible verse I lately came across that sparked my interest. I greatly expanded the cross references for this verse to make possible a much deeper study of the Bible issues involved. The verse is Proverbs 28:5.

Pro 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely. (ESV)

Pro 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment; but they that seek Jehovah understand everything. (Darby)

Pro 28:5 Criminals don’t know what justice means, but all who respect the LORD understand it completely. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

Pro 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek LORD understand all things. (ACV, A Conservative Version)

Pro 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. (KJV)

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 684 for Proverbs 28:5.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 782 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Proverbs 28:5.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Proverbs 28:5. Evil men. Pr 15:24. 24:1. *Jn 3:19. understand not. +*Pr 14:6. *Pr 24:7. Nu 16:41. 1 K 18:17. *Ps 10:4. *Ps 25:14. 82:5. 92:6. *Jb 21:14. Ps 49:20. 92:6. Is 5:20. *Is 44:18. 56:11. *Je 4:22. Ho 4:14. Mt 13:12. 25:29. Mk 4:10-13. Lk 11:42. 16:14. 18:9-14. *Jn 3:19. 5:44, 47. **Jn 7:17. +*Jn 8:43. *Jn 10:6. **1 Cor 2:14, 15. Ep 4:18. *2 Th 2:10-12. *Ja 1:5. +*1 P 2:8. 2 P 3:5. *1 J 2:20, 27. judgment. or, justice. +Pr 21:3. +*Le 19:15. +*Hab 1:4. +*1 C 2:15. but they. Ps 119:100. that seek. Pr 17:9mg. *Pr 29:26. 2 Ch 14:7. +**Ps 9:10. 97:11. 105:4. +*Ps 119:4, 5, 8, *Ps 119:10, 32, 173. Is 26:9. 55:6. *Je 29:13. Mt 13:12. 25:29. *Jn 6:37. Phil 2:12, 13. *He 11:6. understand all. Pr 1:23. 2:5. +Pr 8:9. +*Pr 14:6. 17:24. Dt 29:29. Jb 32:7-9. *Ps 25:9, 12, 14. +*Ps 51:6. 73:17. 97:11. +**Ps 119:98-100, 104, *Ps 119:130. Je 33:3. Mt 11:25. Lk 7:35. 10:21. 1 Cor 6:2. 2 Cor 4:6. 2 Tim 2:7. +**2 Tim 3:15-17. **1 J 2:20, 27.

Consider the elements of a proper solution:

(1) Enforce with unremitting rigor the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and related laws against all businesses and corporations that have vitiated the law by buying special favors from Congress. What the pharmaceutical companies get away with, and the medical industry (hospitals and everything related to medical care) gets away with is what is bankrupting this country. Put a stop to their raping of our economy immediately, and immediately our debt problems will disappear. Medical costs would drop to where everyone could afford to pay for all but the most extreme medical emergencies out-of-pocket. Medical costs would be what we pay in deductibles now. We would no longer need an “Affordable Care Act” because medical care would truly be affordable once again.

(2) As much as I favor education, and college education, the cost of education has gone up far faster than the rate of inflation, just like medical costs have, because the education business has so much money thrown its direction that it can raise costs far above what they should be. Students who enroll in college now, if they pay for college using so-called student loans, are being damaged permanently. With loans that can not be forgiven by bankruptcy, student debt remains with them practically for most of their adult life. College graduates will be unable to afford a new house because the amount normally required for a monthly mortgage payment will be taken up instead by payment on student debt. If a student is late on paying the debt owed, the interest rate on the debt is raised significantly, further aggravating the problem.

(3) No other country in the world has open borders like we do here in the United States. When states such as Arizona wisely decided to pass their own state laws designed to confront the illegal and criminal immigrant issue, the Federal Government objected. When the Federal Government will not enforce the law, surely the states affected have the right to pass and enforce their own laws. Anyone who arrived here illegally has no right to be here, and no right to stay. We need to enforce a reciprocity rule: if the country you came from will not allow citizens of the United States to enter your country of origin the way you entered our country, then you must go back to your country and arrange to come here legally. Notice it is largely the Democratic Party and the US Chamber of Commerce and local affiliates that favor amnesty for illegal immigrants. The Democrats want the votes, and businesses and corporations want the cheap labor. All this needs to come to an immediate halt. All workers must demonstrate they belong here to get a job. Any employer who hires illegal immigrants must be fined, jailed, and put out of business. Any politician who supports illegal immigration and amnesty in any form must be voted out of office at the next election and never returned to any kind of public office.

(4) Eliminate all free trade agreements. Cancel them all. No agreement should ever be authorized which is unbalanced in its costs and benefits. As it is, we bear the costs, they get the benefits. Take China. We import their products, but they will not give the same privilege to our companies to export to them. This results in (1) a trade imbalance, which adversely affects our economy; (2) exporting our manufacturing jobs where corporations benefit from cheap, actually slave labor; (3) corporations avoid the strict anti-pollution laws we have here and pollute other countries instead. These policies must stop. Bring the manufacturing jobs back to the United States of America, and stop avoiding the Biblical mandate to pay a living wage to your workers (Jeremiah 22:13).

There is much more. But a good first step would be to get rid of the IRS for real. Get rid of the income tax completely. Perhaps a point-of-sale sales tax could be instituted, with a tax rate permanently capped at a workable figure, 20% or less, on all non-food items. Food should not be taxed. Back 101 years ago it was proposed to limit future income tax to 10%. The politicians back then thought such an idea was outrageous, saying the income tax would never get that high. They should have set that limit in stone back then! Look what has happened since. A good second step would be to get rid of the Federal Reserve. President Andrew Jackson was right when he objected to such a system in his day. We need to undo the fraud foisted on this country just 101 years ago in the form of the income tax and the Federal Reserve, which is neither federal nor has it a reserve: it is an unconstitutional banking cartel.

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Daily Bible Nugget #180, Psalm 19:7

The Nugget:

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for converting the soul. Any person who will read the Bible faithfully and believe its promises and follow its advice will be converted. It happened to me as a teenager. God is not willing that any one should perish, but wants all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He has provided an infallible means by which a person may be converted and so become rightly related to Him. That means is “the law of the Lord,” another name by which the Bible calls itself. God has made the provision of salvation possible for everyone. But the benefits of what Christ has done for you by His Atonement are conditional. To receive the benefit of Christ’s Atonement, you must receive it by placing your faith in Him and by repenting of your sin. Should any of these things seem hard for you to understand, notice Psalm 19:7 states that the Bible is capable of making wise the simple. The Bible tells us that if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God for wisdom (James 1:5).

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 544 for Psalm 19:7.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 596 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 19:7.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Ps 19:7. law. or, doctrine. +*Ps 1:2. 78:1-7. *Ps 119:72, 96-100, 105, 127, 128. 147:19, 20. *Dt 6:6-9. *Dt 17:18-20. 31:12. **Jsh 1:8. 2 S 16:23. *Ezr 7:10. Ne 9:13. 13:3. **Jb 23:12. Ro 2:18. 3:2. 7:7, 12. **Ro 15:4. Ep 6:17. 1 Tim 1:8. 4:6. +**2 Tim 3:16. perfect. T#45.2; T#1027. ver. Ps 19:8, 9. *Ps 18:30. 111:7. +*Ps 119:96. Dt 32:4. Pr 30:5. +Mt 5:48 (T#548). *Ro 12:2. James 1:17, 25. converting. or, restoring. Meshivah:—used of restoring from disorder and decay (Ps 80:19),—from sorrow and affliction (Ru 4:15),—from death (1 K 17:21, 22) [Kay]. T#47. *Ps 23:3. +*Ps 51:13. 56:4. *Ps 119:9, 93, *Ps 119:150. +Ps 126:5 (T#431). Jb 33:27. Mic 2:7. +Mk 4:14 (T#428). +**Jn 5:39. 6:63. 15:3. 17:17, 19. Ac 11:14. +Ac 27:31 (T#429). Ro 1:16. **Ro 10:17. +1 Cor 1:17 (T#430). +1 Cor 4:15 (T#432). Ep 6:17. **1 Th 2:13. **2 Tim 3:15. *James 1:18, 21-25. *1 P 1:23. +*1 P 2:2. soul. Heb. nephesh, +Ge 34:3. testimony. Eduth:—frequently used of the Decalogue,—which was God’s standing protestation to Israel. Ex 25:16, 21, 22, 26, etc. Hence the Tabernacle is called “ohel eduth;” Nu 9:15; 17:23; 18:2 [Kay]. FS132C. Parallelism, Simple: Synthetic, or Constructive F/S 351. This is where the parallelism consists only in the similar form of construction. There is neither gradation nor opposition of words in the several lines; which are independent, and depend for their parallelism on their construction. Here, in Ps 19:7-9, the lines are simply parallel, and are chiefly in pairs. See the terms law/testimony, statutes/commandment, fear/judgments. *Ps 89:37. *Ps 93:5. 119:14, 24, 111, 138, 152. Ex 32:15. 1 K 2:3. 2 K 23:3. Is 8:16, **Is 8:20. Jn 3:32, 33. **Jn 5:39. *Ac 10:43. *2 Cor 3:7. 2 Tim 1:8. *1 J 5:3, 9-12. *Re 19:10. sure. Ps 93:5. *Ps 111:7. 2 S 23:5. +*Mt 24:35n. Mk 13:31. Jn 17:17. *2 Tim 2:19. *He 6:18, 19. *2 P 1:19. making wise. T#1039. **Ps 119:98-100, 130. Dt 4:6, 8. Ezr 7:25. *Prov 1:4, 5, 22, 23. 2:6. *Prov 8:9. +**Is 8:20. 35:8. 45:19. %+*Je 8:9. Ezk 18:9. Lk 10:21. **Ro 15:4. *Col 3:16. **2 Tim 3:15-17. **1 P 2:2. simple. FS108K54, +Pr 1:4. Ps 116:6. Pr 7:7. *Pr 8:5, 6. 9:4. Ro 16:18.

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Daily Bible Nugget #179, Psalm 119:130

The Nugget:

Psalm 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for illuminating. That means that as you read the Bible, it sheds light on the subject you are reading about. If you want to be enlightened about a subject the Bible discusses, then read the Bible itself and compare Scripture with Scripture by means of cross references to get access to the other verses that shed light on the verse you are studying. The entrance of God’s Word gives understanding to the ordinary person. Surely this verse teaches that the Bible is understandable.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 633 for Psalm 119:130.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 677 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:130.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 119:130. entrance. Note: Or, “opening,” paithach: the Scriptures give satisfactory light to the mind upon every subject of which they treat; and speedily communicate more useful knowledge to the simplest believer, upon the most important topics, than the acutest philosophers have been able to develop through successive ages. ver. Psalm 119:98-100, *Ps 119:105. Ps 43:3. Dt 11:18. Pr 6:23. **Is 8:20. Ezk 2:8. Lk 1:77-79. *Lk 24:45. Ac 8:27-35. *Ac 26:18. **Ro 10:17. *2 Cor 4:4, 6. *Ep 5:13, 14. Phil 2:15, 16. **2 P 1:19. Re 1:3. thy words. Ps 102:18. giveth light. **Ps 19:8. Ge 1:3. Le 24:2. Nu 8:2. Jb 24:16. Ec 2:13. Jn 6:63. Ro 2:18. *2 Cor 4:4. Phil 2:15. +**2 Tim 3:16. *He 4:12. it giveth understanding. T#1037. ver. **Ps 119:104, 108. *Ps 19:7. 73:17. Dt 27:8. 1 Ch 15:22. Ne 8:12. Jb *6:24. *Pr 1:4, 22, 23. 4:18. **Pr 8:8, 9. 9:4-6. 28:5. +*Is 29:24. 35:8. Mt 7:24. +*Ro 15:4. 16:18, 19. **2 Tim 3:15-17. simple. FS108K54, Pr +1:4. *Ps 19:7. 116:6. +Pr 1:4. 7:7. 9:4. Je 20:7. Mt 11:25. 2 Cor 1:12.

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Daily Bible Nugget #178, Psalm 119:93

The Nugget:

Psalm 119:93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

My Comment:

The Scriptures declare they are designed for quickening. In Psalm 119 there are about ten different titles given to God’s written Word, the Bible. In Psalm 119:93 the Psalmist uses the title “thy precepts.” He says he will never forget God’s precepts. What God has placed in His written Word has been the instrument God used to bring spiritual life to the Psalmist. Therefore, the Bible declares that it is the means God uses to bring about spiritual life to the reader. But for this to take place, the Bible must be understandable. The Bible surely is understandable enough, or clear enough, for its readers to grasp the truths necessary to be believed to receive eternal life. God works through the message of His written Word, whether we read it for ourselves, or whether we hear it taught or preached vocally. The Psalmist is delighted with God’s Word and thankful for what it has meant in his life. We should be too.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 631 for Psalm 119:93.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 675 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:93.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 119:93. will never forget. ver. Psalm 119:16, 50, 61, +Ps 119:83, 176. Ps 85:8. Dt 26:13. Pr 3:1. Is 26:13. **Jn 8:31. thy precepts. ver. +Ps 119:4. Ezk 33:15. Mic 2:7. with them. *Jn 6:63. *1 P 1:23. thou hast. *1 Cor 3:7. *Phil 2:13n. quickened me. T#1036. ver. Psalm 119:25, +Ps 119:50. *Jn 6:63. **Ro 10:17. *He 4:12. +*James 1:18.

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Daily Bible Nugget #177, Psalm 119:50

The Nugget:

Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for quickening. “Quickening” means to be made alive. In this case, the Scriptures are designed for bringing people to life spiritually. Many people are searching on the Internet for how to overcome discouragement. Some of the searches are directed here to this site. Now if people would learn to stay here a while and read, even study, what has been presented about the Bible, they indeed would find comfort in their affliction from God’s Word in the Bible, and believing God’s Word would bring them spiritual life. In other words, people can be saved just by reading the Bible. I think that is a wonderful thing!

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 629 for Psalm 119:50.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 673-674 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:50.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 119:50. This is my comfort. *Ps 27:13. *Psalm 28:7. 42:8, 11. 94:19. 138:7. Job 6:10. **Jeremiah 15:16. Ro 5:3-5. *Ro 8:28. **Ro 15:4. 1 Th 1:6. He 6:17-19. 12:11, 12. in my affliction. ver. +*Ps 119:67. Ps 30:5. +*Ps 34:19. +*Ps 37:39. Is 43:2. Jn 14:1, 2. 2 Cor 4:17. 12:9. 1 P 4:12, 13. thy word. ver. Ps 119:11, 38, 41, 58, 67, 76, 82, 103, 116, 123, 133, 140, 148, 158, 162, 170, 172. hath quickened. ver. +Ps 119:25, +Ps 119:40, 88, 93, 162. **Ps 19:7. 71:20. Ezk 37:10. *Jn 6:63. **Jn 20:31. Col 2:13. *1 Th 2:13. +*2 Tim 3:15. *He 4:12. **James 1:18. **1 P 1:23. +**1 P 2:2.

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Daily Bible Nugget #176, 1 Peter 1:23

The Nugget:

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for regenerating. Many people can testify to the experience of reading the Bible for themselves with the result that they became Christians. When we pray, we talk to God. When we read the Bible, God speaks to us. Once we have let Him speak to us through the Bible, we begin to understand the message. The end result is a new-found, vibrant faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. That is the most important thing in the world. That makes Bible reading one of the most important things in the world that you can do. Read it yourself, and as you have opportunity, encourage others you know to do the same. Bible reading can be a life-changing experience. It can result in you experiencing the new birth, or being born again.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1457 for 1 Peter 1:23.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1474 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 1 Peter 1:23.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

1 Peter 1:23. Being born again. or, Having been born again. Perfect tense, passive voice, participle: you have been and continue to be. Having been born again translates anagegennēmenoi, compounded of ana, anew, back, again, and genaō, birth, born, bring forth. Jesus said in Jn 3:7: “It is necessary for you to be born from above.” This new birth from above is a creative work of God answering to a new creation in Christ (cf. 2 Cor 5:17 and notes); accordingly, birth from above is a restoration from the Fall, a return to righteousness and holiness (cf. 1 P 1:3; Jn 1:13; 3:3, 5-7; 1 J 5:7) [LNT, fn n]. See on ver. 1 P 1:3. **1 P 2:2. Ps 87:5. +*Ps 119:50. Jn 1:13. *Jn 3:3, 5. 1 Cor 4:15. *James 1:18. 1 J 2:27, 29. *1 J 3:9. 4:7. 5:1, 4, 18. not. Ml 2:3. Mk 4:26. Ro 1:23. *1 Cor 15:53, 54. Phil 3:3. but of incorruptible. Gr. aphthartos (S#862g, 1 Tim 1:17). ver. 1 P 1:4, 18. 1 P 3:4. +=Le 11:37. +*Ps 119:144. Mt 13:24, 38. *1 J 3:9. 5:18. by the word. Gr. logos, Mk 9:32n. T#1035. ver. *1 P 1:25. 1 P 2:8. 3:1. Dt 32:46, 47. Ps 33:9. +*Ps 119:93. Is 55:11. *Je 23:28, 29. *Mt 24:35. Mk 4:14. *Lk 8:11. *Jn 6:63. 17:17. Ac 10:36. +Ro 9:6. 10:8, **Ro 10:17. 1 Cor 14:36. 2 Cor 2:17. Ga 3:2, 5. Ep 1:13. *Ep 5:26. Phil 2:16. Col 1:5, 25. 4:3. 1 Th 1:6, 8. **1 Th 2:13. 2 Th 3:1. 2 Tim 2:9. +**2 Tim 3:15. 4:2. Titus 1:3. 2:5. *He 4:12. 8:10. 13:7. *James 1:18, 21. 1 J 3:9. which liveth. ver. 1 P 1:3. %Da 4:34. %Da 6:26. %Da 12:7. %Jn 6:51. Ac 7:38. +*He 4:12. %Re 4:10. and abideth. ver. 1 P 1:25. +*Ps 119:89. %1 J 3:15. 2 Jn 1:2. for ever. Gr. aion, +Mt 6:13. lit. unto the age, +Mt 21:19.

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