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A LIVING DOG AND A DEAD LION

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By Ken Blue

“For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. 7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. 8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. 10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Ecclesiastes 9:4-10 .

All men die, whether they are kings or canines. If you really want to be depressed, read the book of Ecclesiastes without an understanding of its purpose. There is much wisdom found in the above verses, and we would do well to understand then, since we too will die.

The purpose of the book is to show what this life on earth consist of apart from knowledge of God. It never rises higher than the clouds. It’s about life, “Under the sun.”

Although a living dog is better than a dead lion, the dog too will die. Kings die also, and are soon forgotten. All possessions perish with them. The dog, on the other hand, still has some life ahead of him. How then should he live his remaining day under the sun? How is he better?

The writer is not advocating a reckless life. He is saying enjoy the life you have. Christians must remember that there are boundaries.

The reward for your work is the bread and drink you can purchase with the money earned. That is God’s plan. Also, one should not live as though every day is a journey to the graveyard. The idea of dressing in white and anointing one’s head, gives the idea of enjoyment contentment, and cheerfulness. Don’t spend your life moping about circumstances. Also, husbands and wives are to enjoy one another all their remaining days. If you will notice verse 9b, you discover that the things discussed are the portion of this life. This is your reward under the sun.

Many are despondent because they thought there was more to this life than what they have experienced. There is, if you can get your affections above the sun. Notice what the best Christian who ever lived said about this life. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 1 Corinthians 15:19.

You see, a living dog is better than a dead lion. You have a life before you. You can enjoy it and live for God. The dead, on the other hand, have no more opportunities. They no longer serve the Lord, nor can they be saved if they die without Christ. Indeed, the living dog is better than a dead lion.

STANDING AND STATE

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By Ken Blue

Few Christians understand the difference between their standing in Christ, and their present state. However, if the standing doesn’t make a difference in your state, either you do not have a standing in Christ, or you are blindly stumbling through life.

The standing of every true believer is as perfect as it can be. The following verses will shed light on this wonderful truth. Ephesians 2:1-22 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; …4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: …8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Also, Colossians 2:11-23 “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

Correctly understood, these two passages, and dozens like them, show how secure the true believer is. We call this the believers’ standing, or present position in Christ before God.

Just as all were in Adam when He disobeyed God, so, all were in the Last Adam as He obeyed God. This becomes efficacious for the believer when He accepts what He has done for us. We were crucified, buried, resurrected, ascended, and are now seated with Him in heaven. When we appropriate the above it is imputed to us. The text is clear. We are “quickened together with Him.” That means we are given a new resurrected life in Him. This is the perfect standing, and position of all believers!

However, there is also the matter of the believers’ state. This differs from person to another. It deals with the life we are now living. Most of Paul’s letters address this important subject. The obvious reason is, if we are raised with Christ, we must seek those things above in a practical way. The only thing this world sees of Christ is what the believer displays. 2 Corinthians 3:2 “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men” The unsaved world does not read the Bible. They read you and me. The question is; do they see Christ in us? What do those you work and party with see? If they don’t see Christ, don’t tell them you are a Christian. Keep it a secret. Those who assume their standing in Christ and do not transform their state, are deceiving themselves.

If one questions this, he is blind and self-deceived. Galatians 5:13-25 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Paul continues in Romans 6:1-6 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

2 Peter 1:5-10 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”

 

WHAT’S A CHRISTIAN TO DO?

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By Ken Blue

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:17-21.

 

There is no shortage of Scripture on how Christians are to conduct themselves in any country. Israel was under the heel of Rome, yet Paul gave this instruction to them. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” 1 Timothy 2:1-3. These are the things we should do, and the following is something we should know, and not forget. “20 For our conversation (citisenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

 

I am disappointed that the election did not go my way. However, I am not bitter, nor in despair. Neither will I count Believers on the other side my enemies. You cannot read the Bible without discovering that world leaders a pawn in the hand of God to accomplish His purpose, whether it be for chastisement or for blessing. “24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Daniel 4:24-25. God may have a surprise for Obama. I suggest to every Christian that he follow the above commands, and understand that God is in complete control. The interesting thing to me is, what impact this administration will have on Israel and the Jews. Don’t be discouraged. Look up!

 

Do thy self no harm. If you live in fear, you are not trusting God’s wisdom and purpose. So, these are some of the things you should do now. “And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Philippians 1:28-29

 

 

 

 

THE PARABLE LIBERALS HATE

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By Ken Blue

“For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” Matthew 20:1-16.

Dr. B. R. Lakin said, “If you want to be hated, have more, do more, and know more than the other fellow.” How true that is. It takes very little to bring to the surface the greed and envy in wicked hearts.

In the above parable the owner of the vineyard went out at different hours of the day to seek those who would work in his vineyard. He found and employed workers at different times, and agreed with each concerning their pay for that day. At days end, all received equal pay. So much for equal pay for equal work! No one was cheated or mistreated in this offer. Each agreed to what he would receive, and each received as agreed.

Do you know anyone where you work that fits this story? Do you know anyone in unions, or government who believe owners do not have a right to establish wages with employees? I bet you do.

Seniority does not count in the Kingdom. The King will give to every individual what is right. Sinners want equality. The righteous are thankful for His mercy.

PRESIDENT MOHAMMED MORSI AT PRAYER ON OCTOBER 19 AT EL-TANEIM MOSQUE IN MATROUH GOVERNORATE

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Egypt’s President Mohammed Morsi participated in prayers over the weekend in which the preacher urged Allah to “destroy the Jews and their supporters.”

In footage of the service from Matrouh governorate’s el-Tenaim Mosque screened on Egyptian state television on Friday, Morsi was shown in fervent prayer as cleric Futouh Abd Al-Nabi Mansour, the local head of religious endowment, declared, “Oh Allah, absolve us of our sins, strengthen us, and grant us victory over the infidels. Oh Allah, destroy the Jews and their supporters. Oh Allah, disperse them, rend them asunder. Oh Allah, demonstrate Your might and greatness upon them. Show us Your omnipotence, oh Lord.”

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Morsi could be seen mouthing “amen” to these sentiments.

The service was also attended by the region’s governor and local officials. The footage was recorded and transcribed by MEMRI (the Middle East Media Research Institute). A similar translation was published by the ADL.

The ADL’s National Director Abraham Foxman complained Sunday that “The drumbeat of anti-Semitism in the ‘new’ Egypt is growing louder and reverberating further under President Morsi and we are increasingly concerned about the continuing expressions of hatred for Jews and Israel in Egyptian society and President Morsi’s silence in the face of most of these public expressions of hate.” Added Foxman, “The United States and other governments with influence on the Egyptian leadership should publicly urge President Morsi to speak out against this disturbing manifestation of hatred toward Jews.”

Earlier this week, the ADL wrote to Morsi urging him to reject statements made by the supreme author­ity of the Mus­lim Broth­er­hood, Mohammed Badie, who called for vio­lence against Jews and Israel.

While Morsi was visiting Matrouh, demonstrators in Cairo’s Tahrir Square Friday held a peaceful protest demanding the president, a former leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, ensure the country’s constitution, currently being drafted, represent all factions of society.

Morsi has indicated he intends to maintain Egypt’s 1979 peace treaty with Israel, and his new ambassador to Israel presented his credentials to President Shimon Peres last week. The warm tone of the note Morsi sent to Peres in presenting his ambassador, though it accorded with normal diplomatic protocol, has caused a storm of controversy in Egypt. A Muslim Brotherhood leader initially claimed the letter was a “Zionist fabrication,” but Morsi’s office confirmed its authenticity.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-morsis-presence-egyptian-preacher-urges-allah-destroy-the-jews/