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HOW THE IMPORTANT ESCAPES US

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THE IMPORTANT OR THE URGENT

importantBy Ken Blue

“And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be….” 1 Kings 20:40.

Former President, Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “The important is seldom urgent and the urgent is seldom important.” Most of us never figure out what was really important until it has escaped us; then it is too late.

Instead of smiting wicked Benhadad, Ahab made a covenant with him and let him go. The prophet, in the parable, said the above words to King Ahab. Unbeknownst to the king, his response was his own death sentence. Because Ahab had his mind on everything else, except the will of God, he lost that which God had delivered into his hands, and his own life.

How sad, that most of us have lost opportunities and relationships because we were too busy here and too busy there. The Lord tells us what is most important. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37. The following explains how we are to do this: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Men and women have lost what is most valuable by making a covenant with the world, the flesh and the devil.[/pullquote]

No one can tell you what the will of God is for your vocation or individual choices. But, when the love of God and the will of God become first in our lives, we will not be busy about secondary issues.  Many men and women have lost that which was most valuable while making a covenant with the world, the flesh and the devil. Every marriage is destroyed because one or both parties were not paying attention to that which God had given them and they lost it. Prisons are filled with young men and women because the most important was ignored.

Being busy is not a virtue. There is no music without a rest and there is no spiritual renewal without a pause. I insert the following for your meditation. “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42.

The message is simple and clear; God has delivered into your hands that with which you can do–His will. Don’t be negligent or foolish. I know many who are busy here and there, but God is not in their plans or thoughts at all. Therefore, do not be surprised when you discover the most important things in life have escaped you.

THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO ENDURE SUFFERING

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THE BENEFITS OF SUFFERING

Man With Back PainBy Ken Blue

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-6

All too often we are guilty of complaining about the very things God uses to strengthen us and equip us to help another brother or sister in Christ. If you never have problems, God can never solve them. If you are never lonely, you can never enjoy God’s presence. There must be discomfort in order to experience and appreciate His comfort. So, don’t kick against the “pricks”. They are intended for your good.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Life changing experiences make is possible to empathize with those who are suffering.[/pullquote]

Also, your experiences will be life changing and make is possible for you to identify and empathize with those who are suffering. None of us want or enjoy heartache or misery in life; but those things are necessary. I do not wish misfortune on anyone, but a death in the family, a divorce, a bout with cancer or a wayward son or daughter will change your prospective completely, and make it possible for you to understand the hurt and grief of others. You will then “be able to comfort them which are in any trouble”.

HOW TO GET ATTENTION IN CHURCH

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ATTENTION GETTING TRICKS

ATTENTIONBy Ken Blue

For anyone to claim that he or she has not enjoyed the attention of others would be less than telling the truth. But, if you are the sort who craves it, here are a few tips that usually work.

The first is, to loiter in the foyer or stand at the back of the church until after the music or the announcements have started. Then, simply walk in by yourself, and make sure you go all the way to the front two rows of the church. There is absolutely no way this method can fail. People from every location within the building will turn their eyes in your direction and notice you!

Now, just in case this method doesn’t satisfy your craving for attention, you can add heel-taps to your shoes. Each step will say, “Here I am! Look at me!” The only thing that could possibly surpass this tactic would be to come in on roller-skates.

Not every person who arrives late is seeking attention, but when the same people, or the pastor, walk down the aisle after others are seated, and the service has started, you can bet they are attention seekers.

Now you know the secret to getting noticed at church. If you are not among the attention seekers, would you please look our way as we strut in so our efforts will not be in vain?

FORTY LASHES FOR WEARING PANTS

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SHOULD WOMEN BE PUNISHED FOR WEARING PANTS?

clip_image001By Ken Blue

“Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.” Leviticus 19:19.

“Sudanese journalist facing 40 lashes for wearing “indecent” trousers…” Breitbart.com.

I am dumbfounded at the ignorance or dishonesty of pastors within the “Fundamentalist camp” who build a doctrine from the Old Testament and impose it on the church today.

I understand individual churches having policies and procedures for ministries. But, to conger up novel doctrines and then search from Genesis to Revelation to prop them up is downright dishonest.

One example is in the “so called dress standard” for all women. The favorite scripture for this bogus doctrine is “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man…: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God”. Deuteronomy 22:5.

The next order of business is to teach that any garment with legs, pertains to a man, and any garment without legs pertains to women. Notice how the other verses within the passage are conveniently ignored by the brethren. Ask yourself, why?

The first reference to this subject is in Leviticus 19:19, but it too is ignored. The text says, “Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.” Leviticus 19:19.

The honest reader can see that the nation of Israel is being addressed. Also, the pastor who applies these to the woman must also preach against farmers crossbreeding cattle, and anyone wearing material mixed with linen and wool.

Will the preacher preach on these? He will not. Until the preacher or teacher discovers how to rightly divide the Word of God, and be honest in its application, he should cease using it in order to put a yoke on the necks of God’s people. Do these brethren agree with Islam that the women in their church who wear pants should be punished with 40 lashes?

DOGS THAT BARK

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DOGS THAT BARK FOR NO REASON

dogsBy Ken Blue

I once owned a shepherd named Max. He was lazy and would lie around most of the day. However, when the sun went down he revived and began his everlasting barking. A neighbor asked “isn’t there anything you can do to keep him quiet?”

I never figure out what Max was barking at, perhaps it was his shadow or the man in the moon. Maybe his barking gave him courage to get through the night. I finally purchased a shock collar and each time he barked, a slight jolt reminded him that he should not yap just to hear himself.

Max has passed on and I have misplaced his collar somewhere, however there are times I wish I could locate it and put it on those people who feel compelled to bark at everything that moves. Perhaps, like Max, they think they will frighten others away, or, they just like to hear themselves. Since they can’t be silenced, we must keep the caravans moving and just let them continue to yap.