"The More Knowledge The More Grief"

"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more the knowledge the more grief."  (Ecclesiastes 1:18, NIV)

This is not a contradiction of the rest of Scripture which tells us basically to embrace wisdom and knowledge.  It does, however, speak of wisdom and knowledge which is apart from a moment by moment relationship in Jesus Christ, "Who became to us wisdom from God."

It is with rare exception that people who attend universities and graduate schools come away from those institutions with greater faith than lesser.  I watched this happen before my very eyes.  "Wisdom" and "knowledge" driven by self, by the glorification of mankind, the reasoning of the human mind apart from, "the mind of Christ," will just keep bringing, "more grief," to humanity.

The Bible tells us, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."  I guarantee you:  There is more of a chance of snow here in July than finding this, "....wisdom from heaven...," on American talk shows, at the "water cooler," in the vast majority of universities, or from most pulpits.  "The wisdom that comes from heaven..," is the Jesus' Wisdom, viz., "wisdom from God", rooted in the very, "Words of God," the Scriptures. 

Here is a "wisdom" and "knowledge" test:  If our "wisdom" and "knowledge" bring, "more grief," then they are not that which, "....comes from Heaven...."  On the other hand, with the wisdom and knowledge of the Godhead in us, there is no, "sorrow," and no, "grief."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I ask to walk in Your Wisdom and Knowledge!  Amen.

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We head to Grand Rapids next Wednesday.  Will be there until December 2.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

When Did You Read Hebrews Last?

"God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, Whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world."  (Hebrews 1:1, 2--NASB)

Literally, "....through Whom also He made the ages."  Wow! and double, Wow!  Powerful.

My Grandpa Barnette's "favorite" Book.  It was the first book of the Bible I ever read because of that great Follower of Jesus Christ, fisher of men, great husband and dad, father-in-law to my Mom, and beyond-description Grandpa.  It reveals a lot about someone who so loved the Book which is arguably the Supreme summation of Biblical Theology, Jesus Christ.  Okay, enough "tabernacles" built, I guess.

Our text tells humanity and history that all things in the Universe are, as Colossians 1 tells us, "created by Jesus and for Jesus," hence, "Whom He appointed heir of all things....He made the ages."  I really just want to stop here and declare resounding, HALLELUJAHS!!  And what does all of this say in light of the perversion below?!?

Allah is subservient to Jesus Christ, and those who serve Allah, who is nothing more than a "descendant" of the Baals.  How so very sad it is that so many millions upon millions are enslaved to a moon god and reject Him, "....Who made the ages.  What a Glorious Lord, King, Savior is Jesus Christ, and what a Glorious Mystery that Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit "decided" in the "ages past" to make His Home in us, as Hebrews says, "Whose House are we."

What is going on in your life right now, this very moment?  You and I will never have a greater overcoming power than to abide in the Living Triune God, moment by moment.  "Practice" His Presence today.  Bring all your thoughts into the glorious, powerful reality that He, "....Who made the ages," is more than able to see you through that struggle, those doubts, that discouragement, that battle, and do it all as, "Christ in you, the hope of glory!"  If Jesus, "....made the ages," I'm quite sure He can "handle" anything which comes our way!

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Glorious things of Thee are spoken," and have been spoken to me since a little boy.  May I continue to pass "them" on.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....The Faith Among One Another"

"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established-- that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me."  (Romans 1:11, 12)

Literally, "through the faith among one another."  This is, "the faith of Jesus."  This is the Church. 

We live in a world where everyone knows more and has better insight than others around them.  Not so Paul, nor should it be you and I.  Sharing in a group setting should never be dominated by one-up-man-ship.  We have probably all witnessed this at some time or another, maybe even participated in it.  There is just no place for this in the Church of Jesus Christ.  I need your faith, and you need mine, and that of others who are our fellow Followers of Jesus Christ.

We are called, "The Body of Christ."  We are, "members of one another."  We should live in the Church with the attitude of 80+ year old Mrs. Grise, "I listen to everything every Child of God has to say."  Do you?  Do I?  Why not make a commitment with me today to make sure we live by the theology of this saint now in Glory.  Listen to those persons who do not seem as smart as the rest, or as "anointed," or, seemingly to us, not as consistently full of "deep insight."  Our Lord has a way, which is evident throughout Scripture, of speaking to you and me in that person whom we just may not respect as we do some others.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I want to always walk in, "through the faith among one another."  Amen.

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Shelly had some pre-cancerous cells.  The doctor said that in a scale of 1-4, her's were at 2.  They did a procedure to deal with them, and the doctors are satisfied with everything.  They just do follow-up checks to keep an eye on things.  Thanks for any continual prayers for her and us.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Jesus, Creator of the "Paradigm"

"Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house...." (Acts 28:30a)

Acts 28 records the end of Paul's sojourn in this life as a, "bond slave," of Jesus Christ.  The Book of Acts gives us a very brief account of his many journeys, persecutions, dangers, illnesses, loss of friends with whom he once walked.  Twice in the Roman Epistle he mentions of his intent to go to Spain; never made it.  This is what we could call, as the book by Watchman Knee called it, The Normal Christian Life. 

Never allow those who think that the Christian Life has "improved" over the centuries, that we know more and better, that we have more than previous generations of those who have, "....followed the Lamb wherever He goes."  Walk away from those who imply, or tell you outright, that previous generations did not have the same revelation of worship, prayer, "claiming the promises," those "declaration" prayers, etc., as the current generation does.  Presumption magnified.  What you and I read in the Bible is Eternal.  There is no "making the Bible relevant for today."  And forget that man-serving talk of "paradigm shift," as though we need to "keep up with the times" by discarding Ancient Biblical Truth. 

Sarah and I are in Cincinnati, Ohio, and on the 6th of November we will be headed for Grand Rapids until after Thanksgiving, then back to Greensburg for Sarah to oversee construction.  I'm sure for you that as the years have gone by you have experienced changes, maybe not the same as ours, but one thing for sure: Getting older brings change to all.  We pray for you that in the life-changing reality of life you will have the joy and peace which is in Jesus Christ alone.  Take great comfort today in Jesus Christ and His Unfailing Words.  They are as True for you and me, as Life-Sustaining for you and me as they were for Paul and the Brethren through the centuries, all over the world.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that we, "k[ee]p the faith," even as Paul.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2