Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.
 
 Pet 3:21 “Wherein few, that is eight souls were saved through water.” 
 
The NASB erroneously translates this “eight persons were brought safely through the water.”  This may suit those who do not believe baptism is essential to salvation, since the next line is, “which also after a true likeness does now save you, even baptism.”  Are we “brought safely through” baptism?  The Holy Spirit inspired Peter to write that Noah was saved by water, not that he was saved from water.  So, if Noah was saved by the same water that destroyed the world, what was he saved from?
 
When God surveyed the world of Noah’s day, he saw nothing but wickedness.  Only Noah found favor in God’s eyes.  After Noah preached 120 years and with the ark a growing monument to the sincerity of his plea, only 7 other people believed and entered the ark.  1 year, 10 days later, they entered a world that was clean and pure, all the wickedness washed away -- exactly what baptism accomplishes for sinners.
 
God made a promise that he would never again destroy the world by water, and set a rainbow in the sky to be a sign of that unilateral covenant.  God planned to resolve the issue of sin in another way.  We tend to think that the rainbow marks an ending, but God intended it as a beginning, the hope for a world washed clean from sin. 
 
Thousands of years later, Jesus died on the cross as the fulfillment of the hope inherent in the rainbow:  that God would solve the problem of sin by means other than destruction.
 
Just as the rainbow shone with the pledge that God would never again destroy the sinful world by water, each week we take the Lord’s Supper to remind us that God fulfilled the rainbow covenant in Christ.  This bread and this fruit of the vine shine with the colors of the hope of forgiveness; not an arc of reds, blues, yellows, greens but one of redemption, adoption, reconciliation, righteousness. God made a covenant in Christ.  These emblems are the signs of that covenant to us.
 
"“This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you." (Isa 54:9-10).
 
Keith Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.

As one reads through the book of Joshua, two main themes pop out:  1) God always keeps His promises and 2) Joshua and the Israelites as a whole were very careful to keep the Law of Moses.  Almost everything in the book revolves around one of these two themes and the themes intertwine.

            Joshua's fidelity to the Law can best be seen in the minutiae of the law.  No one is surprised that he ordered the march across the Jordan as commanded nor that he gathered the people to Shechem to read the law and erect the memorial as Moses taught (Deut. 27:1-8).  What is surprising, perhaps, is that Joshua remembered the "minor" details even in the heat of battle or the rush of victory. 

Josh. 10:24, 26-27  "And it came to pass, when they brought forth those kings unto Joshua. . . .  Joshua smote them, and put them to death, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.  And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had hidden themselves, and laid great stones on the mouth of the cave, unto this very day."
 
            He hung them in trees on display, and then tossed their corpses in a cave and sealed it.  So what?  Everything he did there was right out of the Law, that's what: 
"And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree;  his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt surely bury him the same day; for he that is hanged is accursed of God; that thou defile not thy land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance." (Deut. 21:22-23)

            Joshua had them cut down before sunset (same day) cast in a cave and sealed (buried) so the land would not be cursed.  How many God-fearing leaders in Israel's history would even have been aware of that command, much less remembered it after the longest single day battle there ever could be? 
 
            This sums up Joshua's every action as recorded in this book.  He did make mistakes -- the Gibeonites come to mind -- but he was diligent in following the Law.  Even the people were obsessed with following God.  They were angry with Joshua and the leaders because they couldn't follow God's commands due to the vow made to Gibeonites (9:18) and almost began a civil war when they thought the tribes east of the Jordan were building their own altar in contravention of the law (chapter 22). 

            While Joshua and the people were following God's commands, God was busy keeping His promises.  The people got the land promised to Abraham and became a great nation.  God fought for them (Deut. 3:22).  God magnified Joshua (Josh. 3:7; 4:14).  God gave them cities already built, wells already dug, and vineyards already planted (Deut. 6:10-12; Josh. 11:13; 24:13).  This is all summed up by Joshua when he says, "you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed."  (Josh 24:13) 

            Of course, the intertwining of these themes is in the provisional promises of God.  While the Abrahamic promises were not conditional, those to fight with Israel and magnify Joshua were.  If, God says, you follow me, then I will do these things.  In many ways the period under Joshua was a Golden Age because the people did follow God, and therefore He rained blessings on them.  That object lesson is the theme of this whole book. 
 
Lucas Ward
 

Today's post is by Philip Strong.

The New Testament is pretty clear when it comes roles and duties in the church that are not the responsibility of women. They are not to be burdened with the obligation of leadership or preaching, cf. 1Corinthians 11:3; and 1Timothy 2:8 - 3:13. Though the reasons for being liberated from these particular aspects of service have to do with creation order, the consequences of ancient transgression, and having other critical duties that take precedence (read carefully 1Timothy 2:13-15), it is also easy to see, if we really look, God’s manifested wisdom in gender-based division of labor within the church. Though women certainly have the capacity for preaching and leading God’s people- as demonstrated by in the Old Testament through the examples of women like Deborah (cf. Judges 4-5) and Esther (Esther 1 -10), their particular nature and skills make them more valuable in other areas of usefulness and service. So, perhaps we’ve been looking at women’s roles in the church from the wrong perspective- as restricted, rather than freed to perform vital tasks for which they are particularly endowed, and for which men are neither particularly suited nor especially capable. Let’s consider an illustrative example.
 
Acts 9:36-42, Tabitha (or in Greek, Dorcas). The text records that “this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did.” If Dorcas had been burdened with the task of preaching and church leadership in Joppa where she lived, who would have performed these vital roles? The men of Joppa? Hardly. While men are created, suited, and tasked with cultivation and provision (see Genesis 2:15; 3:17-18; and 1Timothy 5:8), they are not nearly as well-equipped by the Creator for deeds of “kindness and charity” as women. Though men’s heads and backs are well-suited for growing and harvesting crops of cotton or flax, neither their hearts nor hands are well-suited for the gracious and compassionate act of turning such raw materials into “tunics and garments” for those in need. But Dorcas, being endowed with both the heart of compassion and the hands of particular skill, was free to use them both to the glory of God in service to others.
 
Consider another aspect of this account from v.42, “And it became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.” The “it” to which the text refers is surely the raising of Dorcas from the dead in v.41, but ponder a much-related question: Why was Dorcas raised? Surely, women died in Joppa almost if not daily. Why was this woman resurrected? The answer seems obvious enough- Dorcas was raised because the content of her heart and the quality and quantity of her service prompted her fellow Christians to call for Peter, cf. vv.36-39. I do not believe they wanted him to simply “preach her funeral.” Understanding at least somewhat of the power of the Holy Spirit wrought through this apostle (cf. Acts 5:14-16), they wanted Dorcas back! And they got her back, vv.40-41! Her miraculous return to life resulted in many believing in the Lord. Why? Because God through Peter raised a woman from the dead? Yes, in part. But why was this woman raised from the dead in the first place? Because she was a valuable preacher and leader in the church at Joppa? Certainly, but her preaching wasn’t done in the pulpit nor was her leadership over the assembly! She proclaimed Jesus through the compassion of her heart and the skills of her hands, and led and inspired others through service in the kingdom. Being liberated from the roles of public preaching and leadership, both her nature and abilities were free to be better utilized to great effectiveness in the private sector- resulting in many becoming believers!
 
“But I can’t sew and make garments.” You don’t have to sew garments to “sow seeds of the kingdom.” There are many other areas of private service that, like Dorcas’ deeds, can have great impact in preaching Jesus and leading souls to Him. Consider 1Timothy 5:9-10 where a partial list is provided. Women can serve through:
• Being the wife of one man; being a suitable helper by freeing him from other tasks to perform those for which he is more suited by the Creator, Genesis 2:20; by assisting him in the private teaching role which she is permitted, Acts 18:24-28; and by being the kind of wife that allows him to fulfill his public responsibilities of preaching and leadership, 1Timothy 3:1-13 (especially v.11);
• Having a reputation for good works; obviously, Dorcas is a prime example, but consider also the instructions of Titus 2:3-5;
• Bringing up children; the importance of this role and responsibility cannot be overstated, cf. 1Timothy 2:15, and can be well-illustrated through Eunice and Lois with regard to Timothy, cp. Acts 16:1-2 and 2Timothy 1:5;
• Showing hospitality to strangers; men, by nature and responsibility, are somewhat suspicious of strangers and protective of their families; women, again by both nature and responsibility, are more caring and nurturing- not only of their own, but also of others in need, cf. 1Kings 17:10-16 and Mark 12:42-44;
• Washing the saints feet; though this particular act of service is not needed now as it was when most travel was done on foot, a willingness to serve, in whatever capacity, is still needed- even if only to rejoice or weep with those who rejoice or weep, cf. Romans 12:15;
• Assisting those in distress; which may include helping those whom others are unable to help, 1Timothy 5:16; and,
• Devoting themselves to every good work; the eternal judgment scene depicted in Matthew 25:43-40 is predicated upon assisting and providing for those in need.
 
So, rather than viewing the role(s) of women “in the church” as restrictive because they are prevented from public preaching and leadership, we need to see that with these areas of responsibility given to the men, women are freed from such to provide services for which they are uniquely qualified and eminently capable. Through the divine grace of their hearts, and the endless compassionate nurturing and provision of their hands, women are much better suited to provide tremendous impact in and for the kingdom through these vital areas of service. In these things, we need to understand the wisdom of God’s order in division of labor. “For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness,” Romans 12:4-8. In the Lord’s body, there are no unnecessary parts, or unneeded roles. Perhaps we’ve just been looking at them from the wrong perspective!
 
(Philip C. Strong; Southport Church of Christ; 7202 Madison Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227; online at southportcofc.org; email to mrpcstrong@hotmail.com)

Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.

[Note:  For this post only, since there are so many scriptures in this post, the comments will be highighted in a different color rather than the passages.]

I started and conducted a prison church from February 2020 till June 2023 when we moved. More than once I told the inmates that bad (horrible) food and all, they had it better than 90% of the people in the world. Most of those people would trade places with them in a heartbeat, razor wire and all.

Neither Jesus nor his Apostles ever said anything good about possessions. Below are all the verses I could find on the subject in the New Testament.  Maybe we should reconsider some of our priorities and look for preachers and poor brethren around that 90% of the world that we can help….and not worry so much that some we help might be unworthy.

And, by the way, the Old Testament prophets speaking in the first person for God were even harsher.
 
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye be single, your whole body shall be full of light. " (Matt 6:19-22).

Focus is revealed by one's expenditure of time and money.  Is "This World is Not My Home" just a song we sing?

What do you daydream about? Fantasize of? Wish for?

Or, is your mind so constantly distracted by music, phones, TV, etc. that you never think about anything?

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Heb 13:5).

Desire for security and discontent with life are a lack of faith.

"Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. ​Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”  (Matt 19:21-25).

The first comment in class will be, "We are not commanded to sell all." Every time. Everywhere. Why is that?

"And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”  (Luke 12:15-21).

But, who will give up his cable or his smartphone plan to support a preacher or help the poor?

"Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; " (Luke 21:34). NASB

Am I showing my citizenship in heaven when I NEED that new car, that bigger house, the latest fashions? We all have the same amount of time, we need not be rich to squander our lives on temporary things.

"whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things." (Phil 3:19). NASB

Look earlier in that chapter where Paul set his mind and think on what good the price of all those meals out could have done for brethren in third world countries. We need to press on to satisfy our appetites on invisible riches, not comfort and ease.

"traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; " (2Tim 3:4).

Add up all the money you spend in a year on your pleasure: television plans, movies, vacations, games, etc., and compare with the amount given to the Lord and His work.

"and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, " (1Tim 6:5-6).

Godliness means that we do all with consideration of what God would think. Considering the scriptures thus far, where does our "pressing on" toward bigger and better, MORE and MORE fit in? Where does this leave the "Health and Wealth" gospel?

"for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; but having food and covering we shall be therewith content. " (1Tim 6:7-8).

Content sometimes? Usually? When has anyone cautioned me for giving too much, being content with too little (2 Cor 8:3)?

"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. " (1Tim 6:9-11).

First comment: "It's not wrong to be rich, it's the attitude." Truth! But, who flees? What do you pursue, "ME time"?

"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. " (1Tim 6:17-19).

How do you use the blessings God has given you compared with Jesus' prescription in this next quotation?

"And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. ​“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? " (Luke 16:9-11).

"And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles. He that is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteous in a very little is unrighteous also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? " (Luke 16:9-11).

God, I want to go to heaven more than anything so long as it is comfortable.

"Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? " (Jas 2:5-6).

"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you."  (Jas 5:1-6).

Sadly, I have heard of business owners in the church who were more than a little slippery in their dealings.

And cringed at the "oohs & aahs" when someone locally well-to-do or well-known attends services.

"And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” (Luke 3:10-11).

One need not need to be rich to help others.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. " (1John 2:15-17).

Time. Time! Where does yours go? What do you watch? What do you want? We dream of possessions, more possessions, pleasure and more pleasure and live fantasies it is a shame to speak of. What we think shows what we love.

"​But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets." (Luke 6:24-26).

Have we come to a time when the gospel of repentance is diffused and defused for the sake of not offending? Will our failure to live for a different consolation from the worldly bring "Woes" to us?

"​No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”  (Luke 16:13).

Seems sort of absolute to me.

"Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. " (Jas 1:9-11).
Remember, to 90% of the world, we are rich beyond imagination. Do you see your Christ image fading in the mirror, the image distorted by your use of God's blessings (2Cor 3:18, Jas 1:22-25)?

"​Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. ​For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. " (Luke 12:33-34).

Does not this passage apply the lesson of the rich young ruler to us all? Were we honest with ourselves, would not we "go away sorrowful"?
 
"And Jesus seeing him said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! " (Luke 18:24).
 
And, I admit that gathering these scriptures and making the comments leaves me more than a bit uneasy.
 
Keith Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.

1 Sam. 18:1,3  "As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. . . . Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul."
 
            Jonathan and David became BFFs from the moment they met.  This love they shared is another example of the type of love Jesus commands in John 13:34:  a love through service, shown by thinking of the other first.  While David needs no introduction, perhaps a brief one for Jonathan is a good idea.
            Jonathan was the son of King Saul, and the heir presumptive (1 Sam. 20:31).  He was a brave warrior, defeating a garrison of Philistines nearly single-handedly. (1 Sam. 14:1-15)  He was a better leader than the king, whose order that no one eat until his enemies were destroyed, resulted in a weakened army that failed to rout the Philistines.  Jonathan recognized the problem immediately. (1 Sam. 14:24-30)  More importantly for a potential leader of God's people, Jonathan had a strong faith in Jehovah.  1 Sam. 14:6  "Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, 'Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.'”  That's easy to say, but harder to put into practice when it means charging trained, armed soldiers.  Jonathan set up a sign, and when God indicated that He had given victory, Jonathan climbed a nearly vertical rock face, jumped into a garrison of armed men, and smote God's foes. (1 Sam. 14: 9-13) Now that is faith!  So, as a man of faith who was a brave warrior and natural leader, Jonathan's position as crown prince seemed secure.
            There was only one problem:  because of Saul's repeated sins (1 Sam. 13:8-14; 15:22-23) God had decided to remove the family of Saul from the throne.  David had been anointed for kingship (chapter 16) and had won a position in the king's court (1 Sam. 17).  Even though David's anointing had been in secret, his favor before God was soon evident.  One might think that Jonathan would become jealous.  He did not, but his father did:
 
1 Sam. 18:6-9  "As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.  And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”  And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?”  And Saul eyed David from that day on."
 
In fact, the remainder of 1 Samuel might be summed up as Saul trying to kill David, yet Jonathan remains loyal to his friend by advocating for David (1 Sam. 19:1-7), covering for David (20:5-8,28-29) and warning David (20:35-42). 
            How often have we read novels or seen movies in which two close friends enter politics or business and soon become rivals because the desire for position, power, and wealth over-rode the love they had for each other?  It is nearly trite.  Jonathan's love is revolutionary  because that love over-rode self-interest.  Jonathan's love for David outweighed his desire to become king, his desire to extend his father's dynasty, and his pride of person. 
            Seeing Jonathan's example, how dare we fight over issues which have nothing to do with scriptural concerns and everything to do with personal egos?  The love which Jesus commands in John 13, which Paul teaches in Phil. 2, and which Jonathan demonstrates should rule our hearts.  We should be looking out for the needs of others, rather than our own needs.  We should be devoted to service. 
 
Eph. 5:21 "submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ."
 
Lucas Ward

Today's post is by guest writer, Doy Moyer.
 
The following are my own observations and opinions. I may be wrong; I ask only that you consider. But you won’t hurt my feelings by scrolling on.

Among the works of the flesh are strife, outbursts of anger, dissensions and divisions (Gal 5:20). There seems to be a great deal of this in the world, and that should not surprise us. But there also seems to be much of this among those claiming to follow Christ. I’d like to say that this is a surprise, but it’s not. Christians have long wrestled with being too influenced by the world and conforming to the attitudes and practices of the age (cf. Rom 12:1-2). Our lights are often dim because we partake of the darkness far more than we would like to admit.

We see this all over social media, which is, sadly, the most toxic of environments if we let ourselves get lost in its enticement. Disagreements quickly become divisive and anger-inducing, so the insults and derogatory insinuations begin. It’s difficult, it seems, to find discussions that are filled with grace, giving the benefit of any doubt, or believing the best intentions in others.
I get it. I’ve been guilty. And I know it’s hard to read something and get the full sense of what someone intends. We read what others say and hear it in our own voice, emphasize it as we think, and may well miss the point of what was meant. Many times I’ve thought that people go out of their way to swerve around the point and miss it entirely. Whatever it takes, don’t hit the point!

I’m being slightly facetious, but not by much. The irony does not escape me. We all make judgments about what others mean and how they mean it. We all have those “bad days” where we are in a bad place and easily snap at others because we take something the wrong way. It is in those times I have to remind myself that “this” is not the best time for me to say anything, for “a fool’s anger is known at once” (Prov 12:16). It’s hard to let an insult go and not respond in kind — or even respond at all (cf. Prov 26:4-5).

That “at once” part gets me. People might spend hours writing and rewriting, studying and working through an issue, carefully wording what they want to say only to be rebuffed in an instant by someone who got immediately triggered — someone who did no study and gave little thought before firing back. Social media platforms do not distinguish. In a moment we can make our thoughts known, for good or ill.

We need to remember that our words have power to encourage or discourage. We can lift up or pull down. We can help or hurt. I know that not everything posted is great and sometimes we need someone who can provide a gentle rebuke. May I offer some suggestions when thinking about entering a conversation with potential disagreement?

1. Give the benefit of the doubt. Assume the best first. Assume that the other means well and intends to do something beneficial to others. Be gracious and kind upfront.

2. If you disagree, sometimes (maybe most of the time) it’s okay to just move on. I don’t need to comment on everything I disagree with. I’d be most miserable if I did that, and it’s just not healthy mentally to spend all day online arguing and responding instantly to heated fusses.

3. If you feel the need to respond in strong disagreement (make sure this is really necessary), think about sending a private message first to ask about needed clarifications. I have been blessed by several who have done this with me, and this allowed me to make changes, clarify, and sometimes delete before it become a mess in the public arena.

4. Watch the words because words do mean something. Insults and evil surmising do not fit the child of God. We expect this from the world. It ought not be so among us. We are family, not enemies.

5. The world is watching. They will see how we treat one another on social media. They will know whether what we profess is real and meaningful to us. They will see whether we love one another or bicker so much that we despise each other. (See John 13:34-35 and 17:20-21 to see how important this is.)
The point? As Christians, let us not add to the toxicity of social media. Rather “Bless and do not curse.” By how we engage others, we can show the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit. This matters eternally.
 
Doy Moyer

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.
 
Previously I wrote about John 13.  Jesus demonstrated, and then commanded, a love that was shown in self-sacrificing service even to one's enemies.  The devotional was concluded by quoting Phil. 2:3-4:  "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."  Paul provides an example of this type of love (aside from the Lord) later in this very chapter. 
 
Phil. 2:25-30  "I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.  Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him . . . . So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me."
 
            First, understand Paul's opinion of Epaphroditus.  "MY brother, MY fellow worker and fellow soldier".  Great men often are reluctant to claim any as equals.  Given how many of us view Paul, we might expect him to be similarly remote, yet he holds Epaphroditus close.  This was clearly a great man!  Epaphroditus' love for others is first evident in his concern for the anxiety his brethren in Philippi would feel when they heard that he was sick.  He wasn't worried for his own things (he was sick!), he was thinking of the things of others.
            The love shown by service that Jesus demonstrated in John 13, the looking out for the interest of others, is seen in how Epaphroditus became sick.  Paul says Epaphroditus "nearly died for the work of Christ".  What was that work?  "Service to me," Paul says.  While Paul was in prison, Epaphroditus was so focused on filling Paul's needs that he didn't take care of himself.  He worked himself to exhaustion.  I can almost hear the conversation:
 
Paul:  "Epaphroditus, you don't look so good.  Maybe you should get some rest."
Epaphroditus:  "Right after I get the food put away in the pantry, Paul.  Oh! and then your next shipment of parchment comes in later this morning.  And someone needs to get you a new robe.  And this afternoon I'm interviewing a new stenographer for you.  I'll rest later." 
 
            Epaphroditus' total devotion to the needs of others is a great example for us in learning how to "love one another even as I have loved you" John 13:34.
 
:Lucas Ward

A special entry from our guest writer.   This one could be very useful as you grow in your ability to study God's Word.

A. Know what it says before you even think about thinking about what it means—whether “IT” is a verse, a paragraph or a book.

1.  Diagram the sentence –Who/What (subject) did what (verb) to whom/what (object). Which of these do the other words modify (go with).
2. List repeated words/phrases.
3. Analyze: Why is it in this order? Where does this “Or” or “Therefore” refer back to? Are there any pivot points that divide one side from another, e.g. “Gal 5 The works of the flesh, the works of the spirit?
4. List words that need more study and thought.
5. Note the context, the broader subject this passage is part of.
6. Note the atmosphere of the passage—confrontational Jn 8, Sarcastic 2 Cor 11, Hostile Ax 7, Instruction 1&2Timothy, Plea Philemon.
7. Be sure your interpretation includes every word and phrase in its natural/normal meaning. Nothing was written without purpose. Stray words and phrases cannot be dismissed, find their purpose.
8. Look for the author’s outline of a book or subject. Your interpretation must fit it. John’s 7 signs, In 1 Cor 8-11:1, the interpretation of10:1-13 must fit the purpose of the section.
9. Note repetition—When the Bible skips so much we wish to know, why is this repeated? e.g. Moses receives the Tabernacle plan (Ex 25-31) and then the building of it is described almost word for word (Ex 36-40); 2Kg 19-20 copies Isa 37-38.

 
B.   Figurative language is a special part of knowing what it says.

1. Words should always be interpreted with their literal meaning unless there is compelling reason to make it figurative. Such as 1) impossibility, 2) is said to be figurative, 3) common sense e.g. God is a Rock cannot be literal.
2. A figure makes only one point e.g. the parable of the sower is talking about what kind of soil one chooses to be and no point can be made about sowing, in fact, the man was a poor sower, The rich man and Lazarus is about the power of God’s word  and points about the afterlife are tenuous at best.
3. Metaphor -- The Lord is my shepherd, neath his sheltering wings….
4. Metonomy – The part is put for the whole or the whole for the part. “Come see my new wheels.” Jesus, “Not one jot or tittle shall pass from the law” Paul, “the word of the cross.”
5. Hyperbole – exaggeration for emphasis. Beam in eye, camel through the eye of a needle, salt lose its saltiness.

 
C. Note the type of literature your passage is in. Each type must be interpreted differently.
Drama: Job, and much of it is false (all the speeches of the friends), so be aware of who is speaking
Wisdom: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, speaks in generalities and its truths are not 100% true, just generally so
Thesis: Rom, Eph, Heb, John, very organized,
Epistle: organized but more casual.
History: Samuel, Kings, Acts; History is written with purpose.

1.  Note the author’s stated purpose Jn 20:30, Gal 1:6-8, 2Pet 3:1, 1Jn 1:4, 2:1, 5:13
2. The Bible is written to persuade: Note how the passage under study fits into the logic of the thing being discussed and determine what we are being persuaded of.

Keith Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.

John 13:34-35  "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
 
            When we read this passage and note that the command to love is not new -- it is one of the two Great Commands of the Old Testamemt, Matt. 22:38 -- we ask the question, "What makes this command new?"  The answer for the Apostles ia to love as the Lord loved them.  We then say, "Aha! We should be willing to die for each other as the Lord died for us."  While we should be willing to die for each other (1 John 3:16), that can't be what Jesus means here because He hadn't yet died and He was speaking in the past tense.  "As I have loved you" tells us that there was love He had shown them that He wanted them to continue to show each other.  The Lord is referencing the beginning of the chapter.
            John 13 begins with the Apostles arguing over who was greatest as they came into the upper room to partake of the Passover feast.  Jesus quietly gathers the water basin and towel, ties his robe out of the way, and begins washing the Apostles' feet.  There was stunned silence.  Why? Because the washing of feet was a necessary job in the days of sandals and dusty roads, but it was considered a demeaning job.  In households that had servants, it was the lowest status servant who washed guests' feet.  In homes without servants, the owner would give supplies to the guests so they could wash their own feet.  What never happened was for the highest status guest to wash everyone else's feet.  The Apostle's shock is shown by Peter's reaction:  “Lord, do you wash my feet? . . . You shall never wash my feet.” (vs 6,8)  Peter was essentially saying 'Lord, I won't let you demean yourself this way!'  The Lord then gives the lesson.  "If I, then, your Teacher and Lord have washed your feet you also ought to wash one another's feet." (vs 14)  The lesson is of service, of putting others before self and not worrying about our own status.  I should never feel too important to do what my brother needs me to do.
            Yet the lesson is more than that.  Judas was in that room.  It is immediately after this that Jesus declares that one of them will betray Him.  It is not until verse 27 that Jesus dismisses Judas.  He not only took care of His devoted followers' needs, He washed the crusty feet of the one who would betray Him.  This is truly the example of "loving your enemies" Matt. 5:44 and "pray for them that despitefully use you" (Luke 6:28). 
            When Jesus says to love each other "as I have loved you", He is teaching a love that is demonstrated through self-sacrificing service.  This is revolutionary in a society whose mantra is "I have to look out for myself first", where families are abandoned in the name of "me time," and fathers abdicate to the man cave.  It may be a shock to our selfish egos, but Jesus says that this love is what identifies His followers (vs 35).  If I don't love in this way, what does that say about my relationship with Christ?
 
Phil. 2:3-4  "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
 
Lucas Ward
 

Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.

"Self-love is the biblical understanding of sin."
 
"That self-centeredness is a worldwide phenomenon of human experience is evident from the rich variety of words in our language which are compounded with "self".  There are more than fifty which have a pejorative meaning—words like self-applause, self-absorption, self-assertion, self-advertisement, self-indulgence, self-gratification, self-glorification, self-pity, self-importance, self-interest, and self-will."
 
"Pride is more than the first of the seven deadly sins, it is itself the essence of all sin. For it is the stubborn refusal to let God be God, with the corresponding ambition to take his place."  (All quotes taken from John Stott.)
 
The above very accurately nails the emphasis on self-esteem so prevalent today right in its place.  Truly it must be the first plank in the Devil's platform for winning our vote.
 
Keith Ward