Heaven Versus Hell

The book of Isaiah powerfully contrasts the Judgment Day state of the peoples of the nations (Chapter 34) and God’s people (Chapter 35).  These same images for the nations are echoed in Ezekiel 35, Jeremiah 49, Revelation 6, and in Jesus’ words in Matthew 24.29 and 51.  The visions for the people of God are also revealed in Isaiah 55, Revelation 7 and 21, and echoed in Jesus’ answer to John the Baptist’s disciples in Matthew 11.2-5.

Gloom and Doom should be the title of Chapter 34. Those outside of God’s family will see streams turned to pitch, soil into sulfur, and land becoming a burning pitch (v9). Verse 10 describes the inferno of hell: “Night and day it shall not be quenched; its smoke will go up forever.” The people will smell the stench of corpses (v3) and the land will drink its fill of blood (v7) on that great day of slaughter (v2).  Even worse, “He will stretch the line of confusion over it, and the plumb line of emptiness” (v11) – their minds will be muddled and their emotions devoted to despair.

Chapter 35 should be called Ransomed and Redeemed. The people of God will watch the desert bloom (v1), will know waters breaking forth in the wilderness (v6), and will “see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God” (v2).  Marvelous miracles will occur – “the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy” (vs5-6).  And “they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (vs10).

It will be very good to be on God’s side on that day.

Cool Number Dates – 2/23/14-3/1/14

This week we have the last three days in February which are multiples of two:  2/24, 2/26, and 2/28.  See how there were four each in the first and third weeks, and three each in the second and fourth weeks?  That’s because weeks have seven days.

2/26/14 is February’s half-back day:  Go up 24 from 2 to 26, then return back 12 to 14.

And 28 / 2 = 14, so 2/28/14 is a Reverse Division Day

Milton Berle Psychiatrists

These were also found in Milton Berle’s Private Joke File.  See 1/25/14 for “Proverbs”

 

A man with a split personality went to a psychiatrist who was nice enough to give him a group rate

One psychiatrist decorated his office with overwrought iron

When you go to a psychiatrist, why do they call it free association?

A psychiatrist just went broke.  People kept giving him a penny for his thoughts

A psychiatrist had two baskets on top of his desk.  On was marked OUTGOING; the other was marked INHIBITED.

My psychiatrist cured me of a ringing in my ears.  Now I have an unlisted head.

Nature

A mommy skunk was always worried about her two children, Out and In.

One day she couldn’t find In, so she sent Out out to bring In in.

In about twenty seconds, Out brought In in. The mommy skunk asked, “How did you find him so fast?”

“It was easy – In stinct”

Christian Characteristics 2

If yesterday’s  list was delivered in Staccato style (short and sharp), then today’s, from Romans 12.14-21 is more Legato – longer phrases linked together.  No matter the delivery, all describe how Christian are to act.

  • Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them
  • Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep
  • Live in harmony with one another
  • Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly
  • Never be wise in your own sight
  • Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to what is honorable in the sight of all
  • If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all
  • Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God
  • If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink
  • Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

Four days, four lists, lots to think about from Romans 12.

Christian Characteristics 1

God gives spiritual gifts that differ according to the grace given (see yesterday’s list), but ALL Christians are called to a lifestyle where the following actions are exhibited (Romans 12.9-13):

  • Let love be genuine
  • Abhor what is evil
  • Hold fast to what is good
  • Love one another with brotherly affection
  • Outdo one another in showing honor
  • Do not be slothful in zeal
  • Be fervent in spirit
  • Serve the Lord
  • Rejoice in hope
  • Be patient in tribulation
  • Be constant in prayer
  • Contribute to the needs of the saints
  • Seek to show hospitality

If that is not enough, then look for tomorrow’s holy list, which includes a number of commands for dealing with evil or quarrelsome people.

Body Parts

Christians are part of one body in Christ, and we all need each other.  Romans 12.4-8 describes several spiritual gifts that the body of Christ needs.  Just as in verse 3 (see yesterday’s post) God has assigned a “measure” of faith, so we learn in verse 6 that each person has gifts that “differ according to the grace given.”

The gifts are to be used for the good of the body

  • If prophecy, in proportion to faith
  • If service, in serving
  • If teaching, be a teacher
  • If exhortation, then exhort
  • If monetary contributions, in generosity
  • If leadership, with zeal
  • If acts of mercy, with cheerfulness

We see that attitude is important in using gifts, and tomorrow we see a list of actions that characterize Christians.

Living Sacrifice

Romans 12 has multiple great lists; the author, Paul, must have been one organized fellow.  Four posts in a row are going to look at the lists. Today we look at the first 3 verses of Romans 12, which call Paul’s Christian brothers to continually worship God in all they do, by   

  • Presenting your bodies as a holy and acceptable sacrifice to God
  • Not being conformed to this world
  • Being transformed by the renewal of your mind
  • By testing, discerning what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect
  • Not thinking more highly of yourself than you ought
  • Thinking with sober judgment
  • Exercising the measure of faith God has assigned

The fact that God has assigned a “measure” of faith to each believer sets up the next list – spiritual gifts allotted.  See tomorrow’s post.

More Language Humor T-shirts

See 2/1/14 for a prior list.

Santa’s helpers are subordinate clauses.

Listen and Silent have the same letters.  Coincidence?

A backward poet writes inverse.

Grammar Police:  To Correct and to Serve

I before E, except when eight feisty neighbors seize a surfeit of weighty heifers.

Keep clam and proofread.