MEN of Character

[smooze]

NOAH​

RIGHTEOUS IN HIS GENERATION​

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SELECTIONS FROM GENESIS 6 & 7​

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Ever think the times couldn't get any worse? believe it or not, they have been. When GOD singled out Noah to help keep human history afloat, He was asking him to be obedient in a world where everyone-everyone was "evil all the time." Check out Noah's lonely walk...... The Lord saw that man's wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time...Noah, however found favor in the eyes of the Lord...Noah was a righteous man , blameless among his contempoaries; Noah walked with God.....​

Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence because of them....
"but I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark with your sons,your wife, and your son's wives...for I have seen that you alone are righteous before Me in the Generation"
If we're not careful, we can almost forget that Bible heroes like Noah were real. When Noah was faithfully building a boat longer than a football field, he had no idea his face would one day be on everything from weather vanes to wallpaper. Still, he preached God's grace against impending doom for 120 years without a single convert,wiping his neighbors' spit from his face for insinuating that they were the ones who needed help. A superman would have made it look easy. It took an ordinary man to make it look like God.

LOOK AT IT THIS WAY​

These days of darkness are also days of opportunity. But what makes them seem days of opportunity is the power of light-of good ideas and good people-to pierce and dispel the darkness. Our cultural crisis is at the same time a cultural opportunity.​

Jesus said to himself, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12 niv). Amazingly.He also said, " you are the light of the world." A city on a hill cannot be hidden" ( Mathew 5:14 niv ) . Of course, our light is totally dependant on His. He is "the true light that gives light to every man" (John 1:9 niv ). As Christians concerned about our culture ( as all should be), we must ask ourselves, "How can i make the most of the opportunity that is before me to shine as Jesus would? How can i treat I best treat the present crisis as an opportunity, and focus my beam into the present darkness?"
It needs to be said continually: the first task of every Christian is to be like Jesus. We are to give ourselves wholly to the pursuit of Christ likeness. We dare not urge in public life what our private lives deny.

ASK YOURSELF WHEN YOU'LL FINALLY BE READY TO FORSAKE EVERYTHING THAT KEEPS YOU FROM BEING FAITHFUL TO GOD'S CALLING. IF NOT NOW, WHEN?​

 

[TrustAndObey]

Very good post Johnathan!

Ooops.....I meant, did Johnathan post something AGAIN?

Austin and I were talking the other night about how things are getting closer to the days of Noah....and then we got sidetracked about how some things have actually improved over the years.

For instance, it wasn't that long ago that people proclaiming to be Christians wouldn't allow a black person to get on the same bus as them or allow their children to go to the same schools with black people. There we see a definite improvement.

The more I think about it, even though things seem really bad in our world right now, I do see how they could get worse...and I fear that the "Days of Noah" are coming but probably won't be here until our children are grown. That's why it is so important to teach our children how to stand up for what is right and always prepare them for what is to come!

 

[statrei]

Very good post Johnathan!

Ooops.....I meant, did Johnathan post something AGAIN?

Austin and I were talking the other night about how things are getting closer to the days of Noah....and then we got sidetracked about how some things have actually improved over the years.

For instance, it wasn't that long ago that people proclaiming to be Christians wouldn't allow a black person to get on the same bus as them or allow their children to go to the same schools with black people. There we see a definite improvement.

Improvement? Is that the same as "all deliberate speed?" I don't think you really want to bring up this topic here.

 

[SassySDA]

Improvement? Is that the same as "all deliberate speed?" I don't think you really want to bring up this topic here.

What topic is that?

 

[statrei]

What topic is that?

The one about which she said there was improvement.

 

[SassySDA]

The one about which she said there was improvement.

Oh, you mean racism???

Does that bother you?

 

[statrei]

Oh, you mean racism???

Does that bother you?

I guess it depends on what angle you are viewing it from. As an institution it does not bother me any more than prostitution and loansharking. But I am bothered when people pretend that it does not exist just because it has been "socialized." As I said, I am not so sure she really wants to bring it up here.

 

[statrei]

I've learned to ignore Statrei. He's a hater and I've never seen him say one nice thing to anyone, yet he'll turn around and tell people they don't have Jesus in their heart....amazing.

Let's move on and just ignore this guy who is obviously NOT Adventist.

Nobody has Jesus in their heart so why should that be news? Which means that it would be redundant for me to tell anyone the obvious. Please refrain from spreading untruths, even about those you think you have a legitimate reason to despise. (Can't think of one for a Christian but I have been known to be wrong from time to time.)

 

[SassySDA]

I guess it depends on what angle you are viewing it from. As an institution it does not bother me any more than prostitution and loansharking. But I am bothered when people pretend that it does not exist just because it has been "socialized." As I said, I am not so sure she really wants to bring it up here.

All that was said was that it has "improved", and it HAS.

I don't know what your problem is, but we wish you'd keep it to yourself.

 

[statrei]

All that was said was that it has "improved", and it HAS.

I don't know what your problem is, but we wish you'd keep it to yourself.

Sounds like you have some authority. Who died and left you in charge? If I may dare to ask.

 

[statrei]

All that was said was that it has "improved", and it HAS.

Two steps back and one step forward is not improvement. It is still one step back. Improvement is one step forward in the aggregate.

 

[smooze]

ABRAHAM
CHOOSING PEACE
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SELECTIONS FROM GENESIS 13
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​

If anyone had earned the best land, Abraham had. He was the one who had turned his back on everything, pursuing the voice of God no matter the cost. Lot was just along for the ride. but when it became apparent that someone had to give, Abraham took to the high moral ground.
Abraham was very wealthy in livestock, silver and gold.....Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks, herds and tents. But the land was unable to support them as long as they stayed together,for they had so many possessions that they could not stay together, and there was quarreling between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock................Then Abram said to Lot, " please, Let's not have quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, since we are relatives. Isn't the whole land before you? Separate from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right. if you go to the right, I will go to the left."
We fuss at our children for wanting their way, for fighting over who gets to play with the black haired baby doll or the toy car with the green racing stripes. But some people never outgrow wanting things to go their way, and none of us do without a struggle. Next time you see a child ruining his whole day over something that seems insignificant, think about the things you lock horns over-a parking space- an undercooked steak-a referee's whistle-and see if a more peaceable response wouldn't look alot more grown-up​

LOOK AT IT THIS WAY​

As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and luxurious prospects will open up before you, and these things are yours by right; but if your living the life of faith, you must exercise your right to waive your rights and let God choose for you. God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the right and proper thing to consider if you were not living a life of faith; but if you are , you will joyfully waive your right and leave God to choose for you.
whenever right is made the guidance in the life, it will blunt the holy spiritual insight. The great enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but the good which is not good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best. It would seem the wisest thing in the world for Abraham to choose; it was his right, and the people around would consider him a fool for not choosing. Many of us do not go on spiritually because we prefer to choose what is right instead of relying on God to choose for us. We have to learn to walk according to the standard which has it's eye on God.
When you reach an impasse with someone, choose the way of peace rather than privilege. you'll learn firsthand what Christ meant when he said " blessed are the peacekeepers."

​

 

[PaleHorse]

" blessed are the peacekeepers."

Boy, that can be a difficult thing. Most times I am a peaceful guy - but sometimes (like today for instance) it is very difficult. The knee-jerk reaction of anger and defense kicks in and it can be difficult to control. I am not always very good about being a peacekeeper.
Today, I had to earnestly pray in order to allow peace to start between me and another member of this site. It was God that gave me victory over my anger - I was powerless over it until I turned to Christ. I don't know if the member I was angry at has found peace or not - but I pray he finds it too. I pray for both of us to learn humility.
Blessed are the peacekeepers - and with God's help I will be one.

 

[statrei]

Boy, that can be a difficult thing. Most times I am a peaceful guy - but sometimes (like today for instance) it is very difficult. The knee-jerk reaction of anger and defense kicks in and it can be difficult to control. I am not always very good about being a peacekeeper.
Today, I had to earnestly pray in order to allow peace to start between me and another member of this site. It was God that gave me victory over my anger - I was powerless over it until I turned to Christ. I don't know if the member I was angry at has found peace or not - but I pray he finds it too. I pray for both of us to learn humility.
Blessed are the peacekeepers - and with God's help I will be one.

If you are referring to me then you can lay your mind at ease. I have never had a problem with anger and I have had to deal with much worse than you have tried to throw in my direction. I have both experience and training in that area. Besides, I have been walking with the Prince of Peace long becore you were born. Shalom.

 

[SassySDA]

Nobody has Jesus in their heart so why should that be news? Which means that it would be redundant for me to tell anyone the obvious. Please refrain from spreading untruths, even about those you think you have a legitimate reason to despise. (Can't think of one for a Christian but I have been known to be wrong from time to time.)

Speak for yourself. He lives very comfortably in mine.

 

[statrei]

Speak for yourself. He lives very comfortably in mine.

Jesus is in heaven. This is why He sent the Holy Spirit.

 

[smooze]

ABRAHAM​

INTERCEDING FOR OTHERS​

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SELECTIONS FROM GENESIS 18​

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Lot had done Abraham dirty. And now he was paying for it. The pastures that had looked so green from a distance had hidden dark, ugly corners of sin and perversion. Abraham had good reason to say good riddance. But love and loyalty dropped him to his knees.​

The lord said, " the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is immense, and their sin is extremely serious. i will go down to see if what they have done justifies the cry that has come up to me. If not I will find out"......Abraham stepped forward and said " Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are 50 righteous people in the city...Suppose the righteous lack five?...Suppose 40 are found there?....Suppose 30 are found there?...Suppose 20 are found there?...Suppose 10 are found there?...He answered," I will not destroy it on account of 10" Abraham's prayer proves two very important things. First,we can feel absolute freedom in God's presence. Prayer is a place where we're welcome for as long as we like. Where we're never an annoyance or bother. It's where God wants us to be. And second, we can expect an answer from him. Even when our prayers seem to clank against an iron sky and thud untouched at our feet, we can be sure we haven't been dismissed or ignored. Like a clock, God's movements are often undetected, but they're always right on time.

LOOK AT IT THIS WAY​

What a mystery of glory there is in prayer! On the one hand, we see God in his holiness and love and power waiting, longing to bless man; and on the other, sinful man on the other end of the scale, bringing down from God by prayer the very life and love of heaven to dwell in his heart.​

But how much greater the glory of intercession when a man makes bold to say to God what he desires for others, and seeks to bring down on one soul, or hundreds and thousands, the power of the eternal life with all it's blessings.
Would one not say that this is the holiest exercise of our boldness as God's children, the highest privilege and enjoyment connected with our communion with God-the power of being used by God as instruments for HIS great work of making men HIS habitation and sowing forth HIS glory? It is when Christians aim at all being bound together to the throne of God,by an unceasing devotion to Jesus Christ,that the church will put on her beautiful garments, and put on her strength,too, and overcome the world.
Think of someone you know who's hurting,who really needs God's help. Carve some time out of your day to plead with God for that person. It'll do more than you know.

 

[smooze]

ISAAC
A LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER
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SELECTIONS FROM GENESIS 24 & 25
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There's not alot said about Isaac in the bible. He's remembered more for being a child on his way to the chopping block and an old man conned by his conniving son. But look closer you'll see another side of his character-a man in the habit of communing with God.
In the early evening, Isaac went out to walk in the field, and looking up, he saw camels coming. Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she got down from her camel and asked the servant, "who is this man in the field coming to meet us?" The servant answered," It is my master". So she took her veil and covered herself. Then the servant told Isaac everything he had done.....Isaac was 40 years old when he took as his wife Rebekah, Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was barren. The Lord heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.
A friend of mine once advised me to be careful who i talked to when i was by myself-in the car, behind the lawn mower, through the wakeful hours of the night. Lots of us spend these dead-air times trying to solve our work problems, or worrying about how to pay for a new transmission, or winning imaginary arguments with our wife. Wouldn't that time be better spent if instead of talking to ourselves, we were praying to our Father for help, getting his wise advice on the matter, and letting him sweat the details?​

LOOK AT IT THIS WAY​

Years ago, while Jimmy Carter campaigned for the presidency of the United States, he became the butt of innumerable jokes about his spiritual life. Responding to a reporters question about his prayer life, candidate Carter explained the he prayed all the time. He spoke of praying while waiting for a traffic light to change, while walking, and during all kinds of other engagements. Many members of the media judged Carter's comments to be hilarious, if not ridiculous. Scores of people read his comments about prayer and laughed. But Jimmy Carter's revelation about his personal prayer life provided an excellent insight into the meaning of God's expectations of all of us-that we pray persistently.
Alot of people declare that they pray when they feel like it or really want to. At other times, they don't bother themselves with it. We can no more discard praying because we are not in the mood we can stop breathing because we don't feel like making the effort. Regular communion with God is a basic necessity in the lives of all who love God.

Make your first conscious thought of the day a word of praise to God, and commit yourself to prayer every time the thought of God enters your mind all day long. Never resist the impulse to pray!​

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[Starr SDA Living Word]

Praise God for Jonathan SDA very Good Posts! You are God Character He Made all of Character and he lives in all that will except him. Praise God for Living in Me. Amen.

Happy Sabbath and God Bless all.

 

[SassySDA]

Praise God for Jonathan SDA very Good Posts! You are God Character He Made all of Character and he lives in all that will except him. Praise God for Living in Me. Amen.

Happy Sabbath and God Bless all.

Happy Sabbath to you as well, and I concur with your sentiments regarding Jon's posts.