RETIREDFAN1

Had a good service today.......

Vol.XV No.VII Pg.3 September 1978 The Rulable Spirit Dan S. Shipley Nothing is more fundamental or needful in serving the Lord than possessing a rulable spirit. Basically, Christians are people who have willingly placed themselves under the rule of their Lord, Jesus Christ. They are the citizens over which He reigns as King; body-members over which He is the Head; sheep over which He is the Good Shepherd. As the one with all authority (Matt. 28:18), Christ alone has the right to rule. This is among the very first lessons to be learned by His disciples — and one never to be forgotten. The ruled must recognize the authority of the ruler! As Bernard Ramm has put it, "A properly constituted authority assumes an authoritative importance to a person only as that person subjectively recognizes it." (The Pattern_ of Religious Authority, p.13) Not, of course, that one's accepting or rejecting is grounds for determining authority, but, as Ramm points out, the Scriptures can function as an authority only to the believer. In Bible terms, recognition of divine authority is perhaps best expressed in the terms "love", "fear", and "faith". To love the Lord with all the heart, soul, and mind (Matt. 22: 37) guarantees submission of my will to Him in all things. That's why Jesus says, "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments" (Jn. 14:15). As John writes, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments..." (1 Jn. 5:3). Nothing demonstrates the rulable spirit more than faithful obedience. In fact, John says this is how we can really know if we know Him (i.e., know Him effectively and not just intellectually. 1 Jn. 2:3). In like manner, fear also characterizes the rulable spirit. This is the fear of reverence, awe and respect toward God that carries with it "a wholesome dread of displeasing Him" (Vine). As the apostle Peter puts it, he that fears God and works righteousness is acceptable to Him (Acts 10: 34). A similar statement is found in Eccl. 12:13: "Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man". Such fear is really an attitude of life in which one sees his own humble submission to God's will as the greatest compliment to be paid Him. The God-fearing man is a God ruled man, but God cannot rule where He is not respected. We have said that faith also has a place in the rulable spirit. And it is most likely the preeminent place, especially if love and fear be considered as effects of faith. And why not? What is more fundamental than faith in the scheme of redemption? "He that cometh to God must believe that He is..." (Heb. 11:6) — and not only that He exists, but that He has existence in the way set forth in His word. That is, that He exists with all power, all knowledge; that He is righteous, just, sovereign, absolute truth and immutable. Many conceive of a God beset with all kinds of limitations. No wonder they are reluctant to be ruled by such a God! True faith sees God as He is and trusts in Him to do what He says; to "reward them that diligently seek Him". Nothing more influences one's rulability than His concept of God; his faith. When some seem more rebellious than rulable, it is likely the age-old problem of unbelief (Heb. 3).

See above...... lol

Vol.XV No.VII Pg.2 September 1978 ''Again Again, And More Robert F. Turner In the June PLAIN TALK (V.15, N.4) the wandering "again" of Mk. 10:10 was discussed, and evoked a surprising response. A call from Duncan, Okla. was followed by a taped discussion, with much good information. A letter from Tucson, Ariz. cited interesting data from early Spanish texts. And there were several requests for "any further information you may obtain." We were reminded that "again" is an adverb, and unless we supply a verb (like "being") it would modify "questioned" (epeeroton) as in K.J. — "his disciples asked him again." However, the same informant pointed out that the Greek palin (again) could be interpreted "further" (see Arndt and Gingritch) and indicate that the disciples questioned Christ about the same matter discussed with the Pharisees, without indicating they had previously asked re. this subject. In a Spanish Bible published 1569, revised 1602, hence predating the English King James version, the passage reads: "And in (the) house returned the disciples to ask Him of it (the) same"-- i.e., the same thing. (Excuse the literal syntax in translation.) Our sincere thanks to all who took time to write. The mail we receive is usually an indication of good will and comradeship in a common quest for truth. Right now we are six or seven questions behind in meeting requests for our "You Know What?" page, but we will get to them as soon as possible. Wouldn't it be great if more brethren would offer and accept mutual aid in objective Bible study, without impugning motives or feeling they had to defend to the death (of good will, and often of a congregation's peace) every statement they ever made. Is it not a sign of weakness when bluster and shouting (with voice or pen) must take the place of calm scriptural considerations? If this writer does such a thing, please send me a copy of this article as a gentle reminder. We are thankful to report many good churches at work and growing in size and spirituality. Not all saints are "carried away" with journalistic controversies — nor even take note of them. God has always needed levelheaded, dedicated, hard-working men and women who are truly soul-hungry. It is encouraging to find brethren like this, even in this generation. Let us be more diligent to learn sound principles of truth, and apply them with a firmness that knows neither compromise nor bitterness. Let us seek heaven's approval, not man's; and let us aim our life accordingly.

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Too soon for jokes .....I have a reason......

Thanks......You'll be paying me to STOP picking them in a couple of weeks.....lol

Well in memory of my sister who was a bigger Dallas fan than all y'all combined, I'm gonna pick them the rest of the season ....... Dallas 35 Colts 24

Vol.XV No.VII Pg.1 September 1978 Playing Games With God Robert F. Turner They knew the church should not go into "business", but churches moving to new locations sold their property. So, they bought a large tract of land they could never use as a location for church assembly and work; and subdivided it into building lots, to be sold at a great profit. Be careful lest you question their motives. A church wished to build a recreation hall, for young-people's parties, pot-lucks, ping-pong, etc. They realized there could be objections to such unauthorized expenditures, so they called the new hall "additional class-room space," although they had unused class-rooms in their old building. No one is "fooled" — least of all God — but it answers the Antis! A man divorced without scriptural grounds, and a young lady, member of the church, wish to be married. The preacher, victim of a pernicious and unscriptural concept regarding "bonds of marriage," says, "I wouldn't want to encourage you in this, but if you should get married, and then repented of your sin, God would forgive you and you would be free to live together." They got married, and then, on the cautious advice of another, the man was baptized — "to be sure." God must have had a hard time figuring that one out. I was guest at a promotional meeting for national advertisement when various "ways" were studied to "make it right with the churches" and at the same time get their contributions. What man of such experience has not seen or heard of like examples? Our society seems devoid of principle. Brethren who "wouldn't break the law" just find ways around it. The spirit or intent of law — genuine regard for principles of right — are forsaken. It is not a new situation. Paul warned the Galatians, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked" (Gal. 6:7). We are fooling ourselves; not God. How utterly ridiculous, to think we could cheat God at His own game, and win. It is hypocrisy and spiritual suicide. "What doth Jehovah require of thee but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God" (Micah 6:8).

https://www.stringerandgriffin.com/obituary/kayla-scalise

Thanks for the thoughts......

It is with deep sadness that I have to report that my sister, Kayla Scalise, passed away last night. She will be missed.