Is God punishing America?

Does it make you wonder what the Lord has in mind for His world?

·       I am sure the Jews were *not* empathetic with his decision to give Assyria all nations—including Israel and Judah into his hand (722 BC).

·       I am also sure the 10 tribes of Israel were *not* happy to find themselves removed from their land and their land given to strangers and foreigners (722 BC).

·       There is no doubt that Judah (the Jews) were NOT happy that the world was given into Chaldea's hand (586 BC).

·       I am still sure that the Jews were NOT happy that the world was given into the Medes and Persian's hand (536 BC).

·       You can understand that the Jews were *not* happy when their entire nation was destroyed and scattered throughout the world (70 AD).

The Lord did those things for the Jews, to curb/stop their corruption and immorality. And yet, Sodom and Gomorrah were worse than the Jews in that they did not hide their sin.

Notice that the Lord did not give Sodom and Gomorrah into another nation's hand, but utterly destroyed them. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, several nations practice a deviate lifestyle, but the US is now trying to force its views on other nations.

Granted there are others worse than the USA, but He will deal with those in His own time. The final question might be: Why would the Lord *not* destroy a nation that is worse than Sodom? Does this pattern fit Psalm 73:1-19 or Job 21:7-20, 28-30?

Thankfully, He still works all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11), and works all things together for good for those who are called according to his purpose (Rom 8:28). Don't we need to trust Him to do what is good for His own, and also what is good for the rest of the world? David, Jesus and Paul had that kind of faith, and it would be good if we did too!

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“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men, For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

Bible Studies for Women: Daughters of Sarah; Muliebral Studies; Muliebral Viewpoint; Articles and Books by Beth Johnson

Dutch speed skater, Sven Kramer

Because the media is such a rich source of inspiration, I’m staying with it for today’s efforts. Surprisingly, it hasn’t been all bad news this past week. I’ll note events that I deem to be "positive" in nature, but I stress that this is my opinion of what’s positive, but of course, you are free to form your own opinion.

Last week I wrote about the death of the actor who took his own life, albeit accidently, by an overdose of heroin mixed with other substances. About how the media covered that event (and still is), mostly in glowing platitudes of what a great guy he was. You know, "he was a great friend and husband. Tremendously accomplished actor, but he just couldn’t control the ‘demons’ in his life." Well, we’ve had another death occur this week in the entertainment community and I’m going to reflect on her life for a few moments.

The latest death of which I speak is that of Shirley Temple Black, a lady that I consider to be a "positive" role model, not just for the entertainment business but for all people everywhere. Did you know that the vast majority of her acting career was done before she was a teenager? In fact, she made over 40 movies before she was 12 years old.

Her entire acting career had, what everyone from the President on down considered to be, a "positive" effect on our nation. There was never a scandal, a reproach or anything of a "negative" nature associated with either her business or personal life. Not many in that business can claim that, can they?

She was married for 64 years to the same husband and a mother to three children. More important to look at is her public life after her acting career. She served as our Ambassador to the countries of Ghana and Czechoslovakia. In between those duties she served as the White House Chief of Protocol for President Ford. Not your typical "actor" was she?

She earned several million dollars as a child actor, but only to find out later that her parents had wasted just about all of it. She never showed any anger or resentment towards them for this loss nor did she ever speak in negative terms about it in interviews. They were her family and she forgave them for it.

As to how she thought about her success in the movie industry, we get a clue from something she once said in an interview. She said, "Sometimes one scores a bulls-eye purely by chance." (Reminds me of Eccl. 9:11) She was also asked once about how she "saw herself" when she looked back on her life. She said, "I always think of her as ‘The Little Girl.’ She’s not me." What a tremendous statement about her attitude towards life. I think we can conclude that she also didn’t have the massive ego that seems so predominant in the entertainment industry.

It’s a pleasure to write about an entertainer such as she. One who always presented a "positive" and forgiving influence towards the public. One who never showed anything of a "negative" or scandalous nature. If she had "demons" no one ever knew it.

She was exemplary as an actor, but she left that world to devote her efforts to serving her country and was exemplary in that business. She retired from government service and lived a quite and full life as a wife and mother and died peacefully last Monday surrounded by her loving family. I would hope that the media spends as much effort on her life and death as they did on the doper who killed himself. Somehow I doubt they will.

How about another "positive" thing from the media world? Actually the "sports media" world, to wit: the Olympic Games going on in Russia as we speak. Our "positive" example is the Dutch speed skater, Sven Kramer. Why I see him in a "positive" light is because of something many may have missed or not known about him and speaks volumes about what kind of person he is.

You see, he was competing in the last Winter Olympics and was the odds-on favorite to win the 10,000 meter race, as he is these games also. In his race during the last games, he was way ahead and winning the race but he was disqualified because he did not change lanes as he was required to do. It wasn’t his fault because his coach told him not to change. The coach was wrong, but that didn’t do Sven any good. He still was disqualified.

What a cruel and disappointing end to all his years of training and practice. How bitter must he have been and how distressed and crushed the coach must have felt over this. Would he be banished from coaching in this sport? Would any other skater trust him to coach him after that incident? Well, as Paul Harvey would have said, "here’s the rest of the story" and as I said, to me it’s the best one to come from these Olympics.

Next Tuesday, Feb. 18^th, Sven will race again in the 10,000 meter event and he’ll have his old coach right there with him on the track guiding him. The same coach that misled him in 2010 and got him disqualified. It was reported by a commentator that he had forgiven the coach for his mistake in the last Olympics. But, even better, not only has he forgiven him, he has him there with him as his coach at these games.
To me, this example of forgiveness and kindness by someone, wronged in such a public and costly manner, speaks volumes about the character of this young man. I don’t know the spirituality of Sven Kramer, but I can say that, by the example I see being set by him in the forgiveness of his coach and wanting him back at his side, made me recall some words the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Colossians (3:12-13). These words are descriptive of the nature of Christians and I think Sven’s story can illustrate what Paul’s saying.

"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
Since we talked about "deaths" in last week’s editorial and also today’s I’d like to close with one more little thought on that subject. I read a little sign the other day that I feel is appropriate for the wrapping up of our thoughts here. It simply read:

                            "Live every day like it’s your last. One day you’ll get it right."

And here’s the thing to remember about that. We don’t know when that "one day" will be so it behooves us to live such lives that we’re always "walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing..." (Col. 1:10) That we’re ever "growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." (2Pet. 3:18) And then, if we’re "faithful unto death (that "one day" that’s coming to all of us) and I will give thee a crown of life." (Rev. 2:10)

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Covey

Counting the cost and cutting losses

Sometimes we do certain things because we’re pressured by a sense of obligation or because we have made a prior decision for which we feel the need to ‘validate’, even if it means doing something we don’t really want to do.  We must be careful to understand that at times we need to ‘cut our losses’ and not continue to follow through on a foolish decision simply out of a desire to finish an initial course of action or fulfill an obligation.

Pilate, no doubt hoping to convince the people it was better to release a just man rather than a murderer, asked the people who they thought should be released.  And the public pressure on him was extraordinary; “Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus…” (Mk 15:14-15). Once it became the people’s decisions rather than a just decision, Pilate followed through against his better judgment and gave Jesus to be crucified.

Amaziah, King of Judah, spent a significant sum of money to hire an army from Israel, “But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down. And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this” (2Chr 25:6-9).  Amaziah was caught in an embarrassing and expensive situation.  He was obviously not going to have his money refunded by sending the army back.  But he made the right decision – “Then Amaziah separated them, to wit, the army that was come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again: wherefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in great anger” (vs 10). Amazia was not only willing to take a financial loss, he was willing to upset and snub an entire nation in order avoid continuing down a path he’d started, which was against God’s will.

But unfortunately Herod was not willing to retract his offer when Herodias’ daughter’s dancing pleased him, and he said, “…Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee…And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her” (Mark 6:22-26).  What a terrible choice Herod faced, and yet the one he chose caused him to behead the forerunner of Christ.

Is it any wonder that Jesus spoke of ‘counting the cost’ in the context of discipleship? (Lk 14:26-33).  We should consider our actions so we don’t let an initial bad decision, our pride, a commitment to someone, or a misplaced obligation lead us further away from God’s will simply because the price to change is high. May we, like Paul, be willing to count all things for loss in order to win Christ. (Phil 3:8-9) --Matthew Johnson

Life here is grand with friends we love so dear

Revelation 7:16-17 “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore: neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto fountains of living waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

The seventh chapter of Revelation speaks of the multitude before the throne and presents to us a description of the ultimate protection, safety and tremendous happiness of all who faithfully serve the Lord while on this side of eternity.

Today, we live in a world of tears. Tears of sorrow, sympathy and sacrifice,  tears shed over losses and disappointments in life, tears shed over our weaknesses, defeats and failures,] tears that are caused by the pain and anguish from illnesses and diseases that strike body and mind. Tears, tears, tears. What family, what individual has not shed many tears on this journey of life? But let’s pause a moment here, close our eyes and listen. Can you hear it? I do. I hear John proclaiming loudly and clearly that one day all those things that are the source of our tears will be no more (Rev. 21:4). There will be deliverance from the trials and tribulations of this world. The most distressing, disturbing and harrowing experiences known will disappear completely. There will be no incurable disease or pain to make the heart cry out in anguish. In that day, God will wipe away all tears from our eyes. What a joyous anticipation is ours today.

We often sing, “Life here is grand with friends we love so dear”, and certainly even with the troubles and strife that often cause tears to stream from our eyes we still want to stay here a little longer. But aren’t you glad that the magnificent grace and love of God make it possible for everlasting peace and happiness to one day replace those tears (Titus 2:11, Heb. 2:9, 1 John 3:1-2). For all who have heard and responded to the voice of God speaking through his word, the Bible, who have believed that word, repented of their sins, confessed him, and have been baptized for the remission of sins, then lived a faithful life, the day will come when they will fly away to live forever in a land where they will never grow old and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.

On this day my prayer is that all of us will trust and obey our Lord so that one day we can say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”, now, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit” (2 Tim. 4:7, Luke 23:46).

O, how I long to be in that paradise valley where I will be able to enjoy the supreme bliss of heaven with the redeemed of all ages. How about you?

Charles Hicks

self-inflicted death

OK! I’ve had it! I give! What I’m referring to is something that our dearly beloved news media had done again. By their coverage of a certain recent event they’ve knocked me off of my editorial perch and, as the old cowboy said, just "chapped my hide."
No, it’s not their coverage of the President and any of his ongoing endeavors or anything regarding government in general. The event of which I’m speaking, and the one that "gets my goat" every time that it happens, is the coverage of the "self-inflicted" death of another person of the entertainment industry.

Another "actor" whose "brilliant" career was "tragically cut short" by an overdose of illegal drugs. I heard one commentator say that he was fighting "demons in his life." I’m not sure whether he meant that as an excuse for his drug use or not, but it appears to me that this tormented actor (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) let the "demons" control his life and they won.

Now I know that sounds cold and heartless of me to say that, but that’s what it boils down to, isn’t it? What makes my teeth itch in these instances is the inordinate amount of news coverage these events, and similar ones in the past generate. Here’s my question - What makes the death of a person involved in the entertainment industry more tragic than any other life that’s been cut short of it’s "threescore and ten" years? Especially when it’s demise is brought on by the use and abuse of a "controlled substance."

You know, there’s a very good reason that heroin is "controlled" and illegal. It’s harmful to our bodies. It’s a poison to our God-given systems. And, as seen far too many times, it’s deadly. Especially when combined with other substances to enhance it’s potency. It could be seen as playing Russian roulette with a needle instead of a gun.

Another news media statement that always seems to accompany these types of events and usually is said as a lead-in to the initial coverage is, "The world is again in mourning." Really? The whole world? Is mourning the death of someone who most people say "Who’s that?" when the news breaks.

Me thinks that the news people have a far different idea than I do of who the world should mourn. How about the 11 soldiers (7 Americans & 4 British) who were killed in Afghanistan this past month? Or, the 15 police officers killed in the line of duty last month here in the U.S.? Since the 1^st of January we’ve seen the deaths of 11 firefighters, also in the line of duty.

If anyone should be "mourned by the world" I propose that it should be those whose lives were "cut short" while serving to protect us. Far more so than a narcissistic, demon-plagued, barely-known actor who killed himself by the use of illegal drugs. Anyway, that’s my humble opinion.

For the last portion of my lesson I’ll get off of my "soapbox" and see if I can tie my news- media-driven rants into a Biblical lesson. In doing so, I’m going to shift from "mourning" a death to "celebrating" one. The "death" we’ll "celebrate" is the "death" that served and benefitted mankind more so than any "death" ever - the "death" of Jesus Christ.

Technically speaking, it wasn’t a "self-inflicted death" as others had conspired to bring it about and still others physically executed this "conspired" event. But, His life was "voluntarily" given, wasn’t it? There is no power on earth that could have taken it from Him had He not allowed it to happen. (Read John 19:11)

Yet, I guess in a way, the world should "mourn." It should "mourn" the fact that it’s inhabitants got themselves into the condition that it required a "death" to save their eternal souls. And, because God loved His creation (us) so much, He provided His own Son for that "death." That "sacrificial death" on the cross.

Because The Father did this, and the Son voluntarily went to this "death" we do not "mourn" it, rather we "celebrate" it each and every Lord’s Day. (Acts 20:7 & 1Cor. 11:23-26) We "celebrate" this "death" that frees us from our sins. Wouldn’t you agree that this "death" is a cause for "celebration?" For praise?

I’m going to close these thoughts today by providing you with something the prophet Isaiah had to say, befitting to our lesson here. Read with me his words:
        "O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit;
         so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.    
         Behold, for peace I had great bitterness, but thou hast in love to my soul
         delivered it from the pit of corruption; for thou hast cast all my sins behind
         thy back.
         For the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee; they that go
         down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
         The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the Father to the
         children shall make known thy truth."   Isaiah 38:16-19 (KJV)
Respectfully submitted,
Ron Covey

Meaning of IVDEA CAPTA (Judea Captured)

Chiseled in Stone

The 8th century B.C. religious leader Isaiah is a very prominent figure in the Old Testament.  Four kings - Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah - ruled Judah during the period in which Isaiah served as prophet and spiritual guide to his people.  It was Isaiah who advised King Hezekiah that the invasion by Sennacherib and his Assyrian Army would not lead to the downfall of Jerusalem, and that Sennacherib would not enter the City.  He is also the author of the well-known book of Isaiah, including the prophetic chapter 53 concerning the life of the Messiah Jesus Christ.   Due to his accurate foreshadowing of Jesus in his writings, Isaiah is sometimes referred to as the "Messianic Prophet."

In the third chapter of the book of Isaiah, he gives another foreshadowing.   Here a vivid description is given of the fall of Judah.   Isaiah 3:25-26 states "Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle.  The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground."

In the year 70 A.D., four legions of Romans led by future emperor Titus surrounded Jerusalem and lay siege to the city and sacked it, including the beloved Second Temple.  Josephus records the earlier scene as adorned and pleasant, but the aftermath as a "melancholy thing for those places which were adorned with trees and pleasant gardens, were now become desolate country in every way."

To commemorate the accomplishment of his son and the Roman forces, the emperor Vespasian commissioned coins to be minted.  Below is shown one such coin in which he has depicted Judah as a Jewess in attitude of defeat and mourning, seated destitute beneath a palm tree, being overseen by a conquering soldier.  The caption reads "IVDEA CAPTA" (Judea Captured).  While Vespasian, as Roman emperor, would have little reason to validate the prophecy of Isaiah, his coinage etches in refined stone the truth of Isaiah's prophecy.

Interestingly, the Great Scroll of the Book of Isaiah, with the prophecies of Jesus and Judah, has been carbon-dated by the University of Arizona and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and was given calibrated dates well before 100 B.C. *

The eternal truth of God's word -- His inspired Word, the Bible -- is "etched in stone."

Now observe what Isaiah said the Messiah would do for YOU and ME: "Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.  5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.  6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53:4-6

This is EXACTLY what Jesus did for you and for me when He died on the cross for our sins.

We can accept the salvation from sin for which Jesus died by placing our faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).

There are myriads of evidences of the truthfulness of God's Word.  And it is true: He will save you IF you will respond to Him on His terms.

Won't YOU?

-- Terry Livingston and David A. Sargent

My Tennessee Mountain Home Dolly Parton

Folks in East Tennessee regard Dolly Parton differently than they do many other entertainment stars. Parton, as you likely know, has been a famous singer for many years. Unlike some of the others, however, she has maintained her connection to her home area, Sevier County, Tennessee. Who hasn't heard of Dollywood in Pigeon Forge? How much revenue has been lured to the area by her efforts?!

A song Dolly made popular many years ago came to mind last night. Entitled "My Tennessee Mountain Home", here are some especially meaningful words: "In my Tennessee mountain home life is as peaceful as a baby's sigh." Those who often step back into the solitude of the woods can vouch for the truthfulness of those words.

It likely won't surprise you to hear that I was holding my newest grandson (less than two months old) when those words came to mind. Is there any sensation more wonderful than holding and gazing upon an infant? And, like Parton's words state, their sighs and other sounds are absolutely peaceful. I've been blessed to hold four grandsons in my arms and to feel that heavenly peace.

Alas, grandsons (like our three children) grow up, and their sounds don't always evoke peace! But I embrace something else that never fails to bring peace - when I remember to turn to it.

The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6,7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Years ago my wife and I faced a troubling event in our lives. My initial reaction to the news was to lie in the floor and sob. After a day or two, I was more controlled in my reaction, and I used prayer as a means of asking for the help of Almighty God. I remember feeling guilty for not being more fearful, though the troubling event remained.

Things turned out well in that episode of our lives. But for the three weeks of uncertainty, prayer enabled me to know a peace that was like a baby's sigh.

Jesus offers this peace to all who will accept His calling: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me" (John 14:1). Troubles will still come. But peace that surpasses understanding is always available for those who turn to the Lord.

Place yourself in the Lord's care. To Him you are a beloved child!
Timothy D. Hall