While it is one hundred percent certain, that each member of the human race is responsible to the Creator for their own sins, there are things sheeple do, which can adversely affect their offspring – or seed. The obvious things are consuming drugs and alcohol during pregnancy – but there are the more subtle – and equally devastating things mankind does which seeps down to their kids. Global leaders, politicians, business owners, school boards, churches leaders, voters, and every other sort of human interaction that you could imagine – regularly compromises in agreement with the Devil. It is tossed off as a “necessary evil,” “choosing the lesser evil,” or “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.” We sinners may make light of such agreements, but our Heavenly Father takes serious note.
Proverbs 11:21
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished:
These compromises, treaties, contracts, and agreements may give us a temporary feeling of success, but in the long run, we and our children will suffer for it. Legal maneuvers are frequently mentioned in the media as “burdens placed on our grandchildren.”
President Trump’s daughter (Ivanka Trump) and Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter (Ella Emhoff).
President Donald Trump’s son, (Barron Trump) and Former President Barack Obama’s daughter (Sasha Obama).
Thankfully, if we are walking closely to the Lord, His Holy Spirit will guide us farther and farther away from the worldly things and into the deep things of God. But the perpetually infantile Christians who continue in the world without spiritual growth, in every way resemble the pagans they contract agreements with. And it doesn’t matter what kind of contract it is. From marriage to global treaties – any contract that omits God is a deal with the devil.
but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Young people are like sponges and mirrors. Whatever they see and hear becomes an integral part of them. When they live with televised politicians who don’t know the difference between right and wrong, hypocritical and ignorant teachers, and parents who are lazy, liars, and compromisers – they will both reflect and absorb such ungodliness in their teenage and adult lives. Additionally, they develop a hardness of the heart against the things of God. Believers have the ability and opportunity to give their offspring a great example to follow. While this is not a guarantee that your children will be saved, in my observation, those parents that are steadfast in their devotion to the Lord (with minimal hypocrisy) are respected by their adult kids. And many, many times, even those children who have walked the Prodigal trail, return and repent. If you live prudently, gently and without avarice – you are doing a wonderful thing for your descendants. Salvation is an individual’s choice. At the same time – we are doing God’s will in helping our children along the path to Godliness. What a kindness you are doing for them, when they see you praying and reading your Bible! And as our children walk closely to the Lord – our families are a wonderful testimony to a lost and dying world.
We will begin by first looking at the definition of the theme words of this Proverb study.
FRO’WARD, adjective [Latin versus:turned or looking from.]
Perverse, that is, turning from, with aversion or reluctance; not willing to yield or comply with what is required; unyielding; ungovernable; refractory; disobedient; peevish; as a froward child.
ABOMINA’TION, noun
1. Extreme hatred; detestation.
2. The object of detestation, a common signification in scripture.
3. Hence, defilement, pollution, in a physical sense, or evil doctrines and practices, which are moral defilements, idols and idolatry, are called abominations. The Jews were an abomination to the Egyptians; and the sacred animals of the Egyptians were an abomination to the Jews. The Roman army is called the abomination of desolation. Matthew 24:15. In short, whatever is an object of extreme hatred, is called an abomination
Proverbs 11:20
20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord:
This image is of Nadab and Abihu, the priestly sons of the first High Priest – Aaron. Their story is well known. As priests of the Most High God – they offered “strange fire,” before the Lord. Whereupon the Lord sent out fire from heaven and consumed them.
The significance of this event should not be overlooked. What should the Christian take away from this? Quite simply, that our God is very, very Holy, and we can not offer “strange fire” to Him. Rock music, back beats, sensualized “praise teams,” speaking in gibberish, being “slain in the spirit,” – these and many other offerings and worship practices are strange fire. They do not conform to the Scriptural outlines for worshiping the Almighty Creator of the Universe.
The Charismatic movement is creeping into even the most conservative churches via the music. Make no mistake – this is “strange fire.” Country, CCM, and Southern Gospel music is inherently sensuous. And God will, in fact, rain down fire again on the apostate church, only this time, instead of the two sons of Aaron, it will be worldwide and they will “die before the Lord.” True worship music is reverent and respectful. It should not give you the sensation that you “really worshiped God!!!!” Rather, it should put you in a place of adoration and humility before your Savior, and convict your soul.
but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
Heads bowed, and sincere prayer are His delight. Before you “lift up holy hands,” be sure that your hands are indeed holy! I never feel that mine are. Not even for a second. I am too proud of what I can do with my hands. It is also important to realize, that at the beginning of this country, the Pilgrims allowed no musical instruments into the congregation. Why? Because of the natural tendency of musicians to “spice things up.” In the same fashion that a good cook will enliven what they make, a musician will do the same thing with music.
The pop preachers of today, speak loud and clearly that “you can’t grow a church with the old ways.” Well, that’s not what the Lord God of Heaven and earth has to say. We are no different than the Jews of the Old Testament. We, in our sinful flesh, desire and lust after the “leeks and onions” of Egypt. We desire to feed the flesh rather than the spirit.
Jeremiah 6:15-17
15 Were they ashamed when they had committed
abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.
16 Thus saith the Lord,
Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
Mature Christians rarely need to be reminded to show mercy. Young believers, on the other hand, can lapse into their flesh more easily. This Friday Proverb study is devoted to our young brothers and sisters in Christ, who are growing and learning in all the doctrines of God. As young Christians, you also need to know, that we were also young once, and can recall with vivid clarity how impulsive and unwise we could be in those early days of our earthly sojourn.
Proverbs 11:17-19
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Animal shelters unite pets with owners. Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
This study by secular scientists agrees with what the Word of God has said all along. Kindness is a boon to your health. Those who are saved under the Blood of Christ, do not need a scientific study to tell them anything. The King James Bible is all sufficient for every life question you will ever have. Mean spirited people, will reap such nastiness in their own flesh. Our Lord in the Beatitudes said:
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Psychologists like to tell us that everything we do is a reaction to things that other people did to us. While this may be true for the flesh, it is not so for those who have been made free in Christ Jesus. The flesh tells us to justify what we do – because so and so did that to us. The flesh tells us to hold grudges and get revenge. This Proverb tells us that those kinds of machinations are wicked and deceitful!
My wife gained a lot of weight during pregnancy. She’s tired all the time, and doesn’t take care of herself. That’s not what I wanted from marriage. I think it’s OK for me to look at porn, because I’m not hurting anyone, and I need some kind of outlet.
My husband doesn’t give me any attention. I feel like eating because it makes me feel better. I also like to buy things I don’t need, because it’s self medicating for me.
My employer doesn’t pay enough for this terrible job. I’m not going to kill myself working for nothing. The company has enough money. They should give me some.
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life:
Make no mistake about it. Satan hates you. He will try everything in his substantial bag of tricks, to cause you to kill yourself before you can get saved, or, if you are saved, before you can lead any others to God’s salvation. Let’s look at the short list in Satan’s suicidal bag of evil. All of these will lead to death – eventually. Some sooner rather than later.
risky behavior (too numerous to list – including sodomy and drug use)
alcohol (Christians should not drink alcohol under any circumstances)
These behaviors are evil, and also appear evil to the unsaved world. They know in their hearts that it is wrong. All ungodly and fleshly desires are different forms of the sin of lust. We are to be separate and sanctified.
so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
It is very distressing to see the continual corruption of the Laodicean church of today. The Word of God speaks to us on every aspect of how we should live in this sinful, fallen world – while being in the world – but not of it. This is Biblical separation – it is sanctification. And by living and walking with the Lord – our lives give testimony to His majesty and power. Full surrender to Him is the only means to true prosperity.
Proverbs 11:16
A gracious woman retaineth honour:
GRA’CIOUS – Favorable; kind; benevolent; merciful; disposed to forgive offenses and impart unmerited blessings.
Thinking of truly gracious women from the Bible, we have to acknowledge Abigail. She was 1 Samuel 25:3 – “a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance.” This does not mean she was a cover girl model – but that her inner beauty expressed itself in her countenance and behavior. Despite the fact that she was married to a churlish man, she kept her honor in every situation. For this reason – she was blessed by God. She became the bride of King David – who is an Old Testament “type” of Jesus Christ.
This same Biblical principle applies not only to Christian women – but to the Bride of Christ as a whole. We are to appear to the world, as Abigail did. With good understanding, and a beautiful countenance. The unsaved will judge Our Holy God by how the church behaves, and how we appear. If we act with wisdom and the kind of serenity that Abigail exhibited, we will testify of our King. She was not passive, but her positive actions were done in such a way, that they earned the favor of the King.
and strong men retain riches.
Ahh – money, money, money. That is not the kind of riches the Bible is talking about. Laodicea says God wants you to be rich. This is true – but only half true. When Solomon’s kingdom began to crumble, it was because of his personal weakness. Your home and family are your kingdom. Resisting temptation is the kind of strength the Lord is talking about here. And the riches? Well, such riches that we can only get a glimpse now.
Romans 11:33-36
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again?
36 For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Many great and powerful men, have been brought to ruin through trusting bad advice. Conservative media outlets often express incredulous wonder at the kind of counselors the United States president keeps around himself. Any studier of sinful human nature would not need to ponder why this is. Birds of a feather DO flock together. We like to keep company with those who think like we do. If we are in darkness, we will be drawn to yet deeper darkness. If we are in the Light of Christ, we will be drawn to yet more of His light.
Proverbs 11:14
Where no counsel is, the people fall:
The infamous incident, wherein the nation of Israel began to divide, is prime example of the first half of today’s Proverb. In 1 Kings 12, the son and heir of Solomon, Rehoboam, is met with representatives of the congregation. They ask him, quite politely, if he will reduce the heavy tax burden Solomon had levied. He tells them to come back in three days, at which time he will give them an answer. Rather than consulting his father’s old counselors, priests or prophets, he turns to his “friends,” who are as young and inexperienced as he is. Perhaps even more so. In following their advice, he states – “My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.” This was not received well! It is the spirit of rebellion at work.
1 Kings 12:15 states that the reason this happened was in the will of God – “the cause was from the Lord.” His purposes for Israel are not license to sin. Don’t make the mistake of justifying the use of ungodly advice via this Scripture. Born again believers are never to take the mistakes made by Old Testament persons as an excuse to sin. “David did it, Adam did it, Solomon did it. . .” There is no Biblical justification for following in the path of sinners. And, they were sinners all.
A godly counselor, will always lead you to Living Water. If you tire of their reading relevant Scriptures to you, then you are not really wanting godly counsel. You more than likely want affirmation, as Rehoboam did. The desire to be accepted, colors all of our decisions. If you really want godly advice, really – then seek the counsel of the aged men and women in your church family.
but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Please enjoy these treasured hymns as you read the following Scripture.
We here at The Vine Vigil wish you a lovely and very merry Christmas.
Luke 1:26-37
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
1. O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
2. O come, O Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in its ways to go.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
3. O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to your tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times did give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
The Birth of Christ
As we continue our descent into the month of December, we remember the birth of Christ, and we will be posting a selection of some of our favorite Christmas hymns so that you can celebrate this momentous and beloved time with us. This hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” is one of my very favorite Christmas hymns.
As a child, my parents always made Christmas very special. I remember on Christmas morning, waking up to the smell of my mother’s homemade cinnamon rolls with her secret lemon, cream-cheese icing. Of which, I – reminiscent of the prophet Elisha (in my own mind) – did not hesitate to ask for and proudly acquire, my own double portioning. As I sat at the table, bedecked by a Christmas-cheery tablecloth, this would be one of the hymns my mother would play on her record player. Perhaps it is the somber humility with which the verses beckon the coming of Christ, or perhaps it is the overwhelming reverence with which the refrain exclaims, “Rejoice! Rejoice!” this hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” stirs our hearts into movement and attention in recollection of the birth of Christ.
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
This song, has a lot of “bounce,” but it is not syncopated. The tempo is even, at a quick march beat, known as a “quick-step.” A real “foot stomper!” The offering for today was inspired by Terry Dawson’s testimony, wherein he was saved at “an old fashioned tent meeting.” The words to this hymn are outstanding – especially verses 3 and 4!
The Complete 1922 Lyrics to the song: The Old Fashioned Meeting, By Herbert Buffman
Verse 1: Oh how well I remember in the old fashioned days, When some old fashioned people had some old fashioned ways In the old fashioned meetings, as they tarried there In the old fashioned manner, how God answered their prayer.
Chorus: ‘Twas an old fashiomed meeting, In an old fashioned place Where some old fashioned people, had some old fashion grace As an old fashioned sinner, I began to pray, And God heard me and answered in the old fashioned way
Verse 2: There was singing, such singing, of those old fashioned airs! There was power, such power, in those old fashioned prayers An old fashioned conviction made the sinner pray And the Lord heard and saved him in the old fashioned way.
Repeat Chorus:
Verse 3: Well, They say it is better, ” Things have changed, don’t you know!” And the people in general seem to think it is so And they call me old fashioned when I dare to say That I like it far better in the old fashioned way.
Repeat Chorus:
Verse 4: If the Lord never changes, as the fashion of men, If He’s always the same, why, He is old fashioned then! As an old fashioned sinner saved through old time grace, Oh, I’m sure He will take me to an old fashioned place.
Repeat Chorus:
Short Name: Herbert Buffum
Full Name: Buffum, Herbert, 1879-1939
Birth Year: 1879
Death Year: 1939
Born: November 13, 1879, Lafayette, Illinois. Died: October 9, 1939, Los Angeles, California. Buried: Valhalla Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California. His epitaph reads “I have fought a good fight.”
After moving with his family to California and being converted to Christ at age 18, Buffum felt a call to the ministry. He held ministerial credentials with the Church of the Nazarene, and was a Holiness/Pentecostal evangelist. He was also a prolific song writer, with many songs inspired by personal experience; He had 10,000 Songs to his credit, 1,000 actually published. Ripley’s “Believe It Or Not” claimed He once wrote 12 songs in an hour. Though a talented musician, Buffum received no musical training. He sold most of his songs for five dollars or less. When he died, the Los Angeles Times called him “the king of Gospel song writers. http://www.hymnary.org/text/o_how_well_i_remember
Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
Such a sad, sad reality for the Laodicean church age. The Body of Christ is teeming with hypocrisy. You would be very hard pressed – no – let’s go further and say it would be impossible to find a New Testament church that was free of gossip . . .
Proverbs 11:9
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour:
This picture shows girls gabbing, but we all know that men are just as guilty of gossiping. What is most troubling about this activity, is the lack of church discipline for such a serious offense. Damage done by gossip is tangible and far-reaching.
Do you realize – ladies and gentlemen – that when you are disparaging your spouse to others in your church family, that you are guilty of this kind of hypocrisy? That when you confide everything that your teenager does to your neighbor, coworkers, “friends” at Bible study – you are gossiping? Yes – Christians gossip about their families. Parents say terrible things about their spouses to their own children! And if your family is not your neighbor – I don’t know who is! How utterly shameful.
WE ALL NEED TO BE VIGILANT ABOUT EVERY WORD
THAT COMES OUT OF OUR MOUTHS.
but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Never fear beloveds. If you are being maligned by family members, church family, coworkers, neighbors . . .the truth will prevail if you are a child of God. His Truth is eternal, and completely just. As a child of God, you are covered by His righteousness, and are justified by your faith in His finished work on the cross. You will be delivered in truth, and justice.
1 Peter 4:16-19
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
I love you, Lord And I lift my voice To worship You Oh, my soul, rejoice!
Take joy my King In what You hear Let it be a sweet, sweet sound In Your ear
I love you, Lord (I love you, Lord) And I lift my voice (And I lift my voice) To worship You (To worship You) Oh, my soul, rejoice! (Oh, my soul)
Take joy my King (Take joy my King) In what You hear (In what You hear) Let it be a sweet, sweet sound (Let it be a sweet sound) In Your ear
I love you, Lord And I lift my voice To worship You Oh, my soul, rejoice!
Take joy my King In what You hear Let it be a sweet, sweet sound In Your ear
I love you, Lord (I love you, Lord) I love you, Lord (I love you, Lord) (And I lift my voice)
I love you, Lord (Take joy my King) (Take joy my King)
I love you, Lord (I love you, Lord) I love you, Lord (Let it be a sweet, sweet sound)
Words and music by Laurie B. Klein
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; For Thee all the follies of sin I resign. My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I love Thee because Thou has first loved me, And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree. I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death, And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath; And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
In mansions of glory and endless delight, I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright; I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
William Ralph Featherstone Writes a Legacy of Love that Becomes My Jesus I Love Thee
The lives of most people are not captured in the history books. Memories are left to the hearts and minds of family and friends, and then all too soon fade into the tapestry of times past. And so it was with William Ralph Featherstone. He was born without fanfare on July 24, 1846, in Montreal Canada, and he died in the same city, just before his 27th birthday. Little else is known of his short life except for the fact that some time during his 16th year of life William put pen to paper to record a love poem. The love he expressed was deep and true. The words of that poem have lasted more than a century beyond Featherstone’s life and death.
In 1876, three years after Featherstone’s passing, Adoniram Gordon put music to this love poem and added it to a hymnal which was published that same year. Featherstone’s poem My Jesus I Love Thee has since been recorded in most evangelical hymnals of the past 130 years, and is loved and sung by millions of Christians yet today.
Psalm 116:1
I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Perhaps not many view the Proverbs and Psalms as being prophetic. After so many decades of Bible study, I see Prophecy in almost every line of the Bible. As is understood, the Lord reveals things to us in stages. Most often, Old Testament events and poetry, describe an actual event such as Passover – which is a picture of something far more dramatic in the future. Such is the case with this Proverb. At face value, it does not seem to reveal much to the casual reader – but we are here to see what it really says.
Proverbs 11:8
The righteous is delivered out of trouble,
Only those who are truly born-again of the Holy Spirit of God, will be delivered – because only the truly born-again – are considered righteous. When we repent, and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we obtain His righteousness – which guarantees our deliverance. None of the troubles, trials and tribulations of this present life and time, can compare to the Great Tribulation, and the judgments that will befall everyone on earth at that time.
Please do not allow the recent crop of preterists to worm their way into your faith in the deliverance promised to you by God in His Holy Book. It is described over and over again – even in this short Proverb. Every Word of the King James Bible is true – and you can trust it implicitly. Read it literally, and with faith.
and the wicked cometh in his stead.
That’s right. As soon as the church is taken up – The Wicked One will swoop in. Just as a vacuum needs to be filled – this will happen in such a way – that it will not be readily apparent to those who are not alert. Since mankind always seeks to worship something or someone they can see, it will happen all too easily. The Holy Spirit that is indwelling believers here on earth, will leave along with the righteous that are being delivered. Once this happens, the only thing that was restraining the power of anti-christ will be gone! It will happen, but, we will NOT BE HERE TO SEE IT!
2 Thessalonians 2:6-8
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.
The sky shall unfold Preparing His entrance The stars shall applaud Him With thunders of praise
The sweet light in His eyes Shall enhance those awaiting And we shall behold Him Then face to face
O, we shall behold Him We shall behold Him Face to face in all of His glory
O, we shall behold Him Yes, we shall behold Him Face to face, our Savior and Lord
The angel shall sound The shout of His coming And the sleeping shall rise From their slumbering place
And those who remain Shall be changed in a moment And we shall behold Him Then face to face
We shall behold Him O yes we shall behold Him Face to face in all of His glory
We shall behold Him Yes, we shall behold Him Face to face
Our Savior and Lord And we shall behold Him Our Savior and Lord Savior and Lord
Southern Gospel legend Dottie Rambo died on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, 2008 when her tour bus ran off the highway and struck an embankment in Missouri. Dottie was on her way to North Richland Hills, Texas to perform a Mother’s Day show with Lulu Roman & Naomi Sego. Dottie was 74 at the time of her death and had spent 62 years of her life writing music and singing about her Savior.
Seven other people on the bus, including her manager Larry Ferguson and his wife and two children, were injured in the accident. They were hospitalized in Springfield, Missouri with moderate to severe injuries, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol. Representatives from her recording label confirmed that Dottie was asleep at the time of the accident.
Dottie Rambo, born Joyce Reba Lutrell in Madison, Kentucky on March 2, 1934, started writing songs at the age of 8 while sitting by a creek near her family home. By age 10 she was playing guitar and singing on local country radio. Her father dreamed of the day that young Dottie become a singer on Nashville’s WSM Grand Ole Opry. When Dottie gave her life to Christ at the age of 12, changing her path from country music to gospel, her father did not agree with the decision, fearing that she would spend her life singing in backwood churches for little or no pay. He gave her an ultimatum; either stop the Christian singing or leave his house. Dottie chose the path that Christ had laid in front of her and was taken to the bus stop by her mother with all of her belongings in a cardboard suitcase and her name and address on a tag around her neck in case she got lost.
By the 1950s she had married Buck Rambo and had her daughter, Reba. Dottie and Buck traveled across the region singing her songs in small churches. Other gospel groups, like the Happy Goodman Family, heard her songs and started singing them. The then- governor of Louisiana, Jimmy Davis, heard her music and flew her and her family to the governor’s mansion so that she could sing her songs for him. Governor Davis paid Dottie to publish her songs and soon after, Warner Brothers Records signed Dottie and her group, The Gospel Echoes, to a two-record deal. When they wanted Dottie and her group to move to folk and start singing Rhythm and Blues, Dottie declined.
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them:
Hmm. Easier said than done – right? Not really. Of course, it is nigh impossible if one relies on their own righteousness, but the Bible implicitly states in many places, that only God is righteous, and that we, miserable sinners that we are, may receive His righteousness through faith in the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His perfect righteousness is given to us, by Grace.
And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
We are delivered from death and judgment only by recognizing and accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior. He saves us from eternal death in the Lake of Fire, and promises us an eternity with Him.
but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
Just as naughty children never think they will be found out – the sinner in rebellion refuses to acknowledge what needs to be done. They willfully choose the darkness of this world, and the Proverb states they will be taken in their own naughtiness. Not the misdeeds of another – but their very own misdeeds. Sinners in rebellion will not be able to blame anyone (as is the popular trend today) because the Word says the blame will be squarely laid at their own feet.
In the universities and satanically controlled media, herculean effort is made to convince the lost that their condition is not sin and damnation, but that their misery is caused by others. Hence, the creation of the blame game. The evil one does not want man to repent, and he will do everything in his considerable power to cause the sinner to either kill themselves before they can get saved – or contrive to bedazzle the sinner with psychology and fleshly enticements. But God, in His mercy, has given us a narrow pathway of escape. . .
2 Peter 1:3-4
3 According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back.
Though I may wonder, I still will follow; Though I may wonder, I still will follow; Though I may wonder, I still will follow; No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow; No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus? Will you decide now to follow Jesus? Will you decide now to follow Jesus? No turning back, no turning back.
Singh was raised a member of the Sikh religion. Prior to his conversion, Sundar attended a primary school run by the American Presbyterian Mission where the New Testament was read daily as a “textbook.” Sundar “refused to read the Bible at the daily lessons…To some extent the teaching of the Gospel on the love of God attracted me, but I still thought it was false.”
In the midst of such confusion and while only fourteen years old, his mother died, and Sundar underwent a crisis of faith. His mother was a loving saintly woman and they were very close. In his anger, Sundar burned a copy of one of the Gospels in public. Within three days Sundar Singh could bear his misery no longer. Late one night in December 1903, he rose from bed and prayed that God reveal himself to him if he really existed. Otherwise — “I planned to throw myself in front of the train which passed by our house.” For seven hours Sundar Singh prayed. “O God, if there is a God, reveal thyself to me tonight.” The next train was due at five o’clock in the morning. The hours passed. Suddenly the room filled with a glow. A man appeared before him. Sundar Singh heard a voice say, “How long will you deny me? I died for you; I have given my life for you.” He saw the man’s hands, pierced by nails.
Amazed that his vision had taken the unexpected form of Jesus, Sundar was convinced in his heart that Jesus was the true Savior, and that He was alive. Sundar fell on his knees before Him and experienced an astonishing peacefulness which he had never felt before. The vision disappeared, but peace and joy lingered within him.
Despite his family’s pleas, bribes, and threats, Sundar wanted to be baptized in the Christian faith. After his father spoke words of official rejection over him, Sundar became an outcast from his people. He cut off the hair he had worn long like every Sikh man. Against great opposition, he was baptized on his birthday in 1905, in an English church in Simla.
Conventional Indian churches were willing to grant him a pulpit, but their rules were foreign to his spirit. Indeed, he felt that a key reason the gospel was not accepted in India was because it came in a garb foreign to Indians. He decided to become a sadhu, so that he could dedicate himself to the Lord Jesus. He was convinced that this was the best way to introduce the Gospel to his people since it was the only way which his people were accustomed to. As a sadhu, he wore a yellow robe, lived on the charity of others, abandoned all possession and maintained celibacy. In this lifestyle, he was free to devote himself to the Lord. Dressed in his thin yellow robe, Sundar Singh took to the road and began a life of spreading the simple message of love and peace and rebirth through Jesus. He carried no money or other possessions, only a New Testament.
Sundar journeyed much. He traveled all over India and Ceylon. Between 1918-1919, he visited Malaysia, Japan and China. Between 1920-1922 he went to Western Europe, Australia and Israel. He preached in many cities; Jerusalem, Lima, Berlin and Amsterdam among others. Despite his growing fame, Sundar retained a modest nature, desiring only to follow Jesus’ example: to repay evil with kindness and to win over his enemies by love.
He was quite independent of outward Church authority in all his religious life, thought, and work. He dropped out of a Christian seminary that he briefly attended. Neither did he attach much importance to public worship because in his experience the heart prays better in solitude than in a congregation.
He traveled in India and Tibet, as well as the rest of the world, with the message that the modern interpretation of Jesus was sadly watered down. Sundar visited Tibet every summer and in 1929, he visited there and was never seen again.
The story of the song is covered in the Book by Dr. P.P. Job and Indian preacher in His book “Why God Why”
An excerpt from the book is given below:About 150 years ago, there was a great revival in Wales, England. As a result of this, many missionaries came from England and Germany to North-East India to spread the Gospel. At the time, north-east India was not divided into many states as it is today. The region was known as Assam and comprised hundreds of tribes. The tribal communities were quite primitive and aggressive by nature. The tribals were also called head-hunters because of a social custom which required the male members of the community to collect as many heads as possible. A man’s strength and ability to protect his wife was assessed by the number of heads he had collected. Therefore, a youth of marriageable age would try and collect as many heads as possible and hang them on the walls of his house. The more heads a man had, the more eligible he was considered. Into this hostile and aggressive community, came a group of Welsh missionaries spreading the message of love, peace and hope of Jesus Christ. Naturally, they were not welcomed. One Welsh missionary succeeded in converting a man, his wife, and two children. This man’s faith proved contagious and many villagers began to accept Christianity. Angry, the village chief summoned all the villagers. He then called the family who had first converted to renounce their faith in public or face execution. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man instantly composed a song which became famous down the years. He sang:
I have decided to follow Jesus. (3 times) No turning back, no turning back.
Enraged at the refusal of the man, the chief ordered his archers to arrow down the two children. As both boys lay twitching on the floor, the chief asked, “Will you deny your faith? You have lost both your children. You will lose your wife too.”
But the man sang these words in reply:
Though no one joins me, still I will follow. (3 times) No turning back, no turning back.
The chief was beside himself with fury and ordered his wife to be arrowed down. In a moment she joined her two children in death. Now he asked for the last time, “I will give you one more opportunity to deny your faith and live.”
In the face of death the man sang the final memorable lines:
The cross before me, the world behind me. (3 times) No turning back, no turning back.
He was shot dead like the rest of his family. But with their deaths, a miracle took place. The chief who had ordered the killings was moved by the faith of the man. He wondered, “Why should this man, his wife and two children die for a Man who lived in a far-away land on another continent some 2,000 years ago? There must be some supernatural power behind the family, and I too want that supernatural power.”
In a spontaneous confession of faith, he declared, “I too belong to Jesus Christ!” When the crowd heard this from the mouth of their chief, the whole village accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. This is the power of [God in] demonstration.
John 12:26
If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.
A great many articles are written about the underground bunkers of the elites and super-rich. These fortresses amount to vast underground cities, with every comfort known to man. Even the not-so-rich, have succumbed to the notion, that they can “ride-out” Armageddon. Bible believers should know, that those who are truly born again – will not need to “hide out,” because they won’t be here. Not only that – but it would be impossible to do so. This is not to say that you should not be prepared for natural disasters, and not so natural ones like losing your job. What is being discussed here is the Day of Wrath.
Revelation 6:16-17
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Zephaniah 1:18
Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord‘s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
but righteousness delivereth from death.
It is of utmost importance to understand, that you have no righteousness of your own. ZERO. When you are born again – you can possess His righteousness, and it is overflowing and enough! The good works and deeds you do after being saved, will gain you rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. And that is a wonderful thing to work for.
Philippians 3:9
And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
Revelation 16:7
7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments.
James 5:1-8
5 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am.
Refrain
Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed, redeemed, His child and forever I am.
Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus, No language my rapture can tell; I know that the light of His presence With me doth continually dwell.
Refrain
I think of my blessèd Redeemer, I think of Him all the day long: I sing, for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song.
Refrain
I know there’s a crown that is waiting, In yonder bright mansion for me, And soon, with the spirits made perfect, At home with the Lord I shall be.
Refrain
“Oh, what a happy child I am,
although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world,
contented I will be!”
Fanny Crosby, (March 24, 1820 – February 12, 1915)
1 Peter 1:18-19
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
: the quality or state of being complete or undivided :completeness
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright shall guide them:
It is sad, but true. Not many find their way onto the narrow path. Blinded by the god of this world, sheeple are drawn to darkness, and in turn, the darkness envelopes them and ultimately destroys them. They believe they have enlightenment, but the light that is guiding them, is the false light of the evil one, the deceiver. He leads the lost to eternal destruction.
While we are still in our flesh, we are incapable of possessing true integrity of ourselves. When we are born again, of the Holy Spirit, we can possess His integrity in our new natures – the only true and completely sound integrity that there is to be had, despite what secular humanists preach. For the new nature in Christ is incorruptible, and when we surrender our bodies and souls to Him, we can live righteously through His power. We can be whole, sound, and complete in Him.
We must daily repent and confess our sins, so that we can stay in close fellowship with Him, and live uprightly. May we be beacons of the true light of Christ – and outshine the perverted, false light of the destroyer!
but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
If you feed your new nature with the Word of God, more than you feed the old nature, with the world, the flesh, and the devil – you will gain more and more of His integrity, and find greater strength to resist all the wiles of the devil. Let Jesus Christ dominate your thoughts, and the devil will not be able to get a foothold.
Verse1: Far dearer than all that the world can impart Was the message came to my heart. How that Jesus alone for my sin did atone, And Calvary covers it all.
Calvary covers it all, My past with its sin and stain; My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there, And Calvary covers it all.
Verse 2: The stripes that He bore and the thorns that He wore Told His mercy and lover evermore And my heart bowed in shame as I called on His name, And Calvary covers it all.
Calvary covers it all, My past with its sin and stain; My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there, And Calvary covers it all.
Verse 3: How matchless the grace, when I looked in the face Of this Jesus, my crucified Lord; My redemption complete I then found at His feet, And Calvary covers it all.
Calvary covers it all, My past with its sin and stain; My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there, And Calvary covers it all.
Verse 4: How blessed the thought, that my soul by Him bought, Shall be His in the glory on high; Where with gladness and song, I’ll be one of the throng And Calvary covers it all.
Calvary covers it all, My past with its sin and stain; My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there, And Calvary covers it all.
Note: There is little information available on this fine song, written in 1934, or its author, but it’s worthy of consideration both for how it came to be written, and for the aptness of its message. The full story is found in Al Smith’s Hymn Histories (pp. 125-127).
The song relates to a dancer named Walter “Happy Mac” MacDonald, whom comedian Eddie Cantor said had the fastest feet in the world. Mac was talented, but he was also in bondage to sin, and addicted to alcohol. One night in the early 1930′s he stumbled into a meeting in the Pacific Garden Mission, in Chicago. When an invitation was given for those present to trust in Christ as Saviour, Mac did not respond. But, as he returned, night after night, workers gradually came to know more about him.
Directing the mission in those days (1918-1936) were Walter Grand Taylor and his wife Ethelwyn, affectionately known as Pa and Ma Taylor. Ethel Taylor watched Mac, and her heart went out to him. She prayed, “Dear Lord, please help us say and do the right things, so that we may win Mac to Thee.” Finally, MacDonald did seek counseling, and Ma Taylor listened as he struggled with his past. “You don’t understand,” he prayed. “You don’t know how bad I am, Lord. Really I’m the worst man in the world. You can’t save me; I’m too bad.”
Mrs. Taylor recalled a message she had heard weeks before. Evangelist Percy Crawford had been a rebel in his youth. But one day he accepted Christ as his Saviour. The theme of Crawford’s testimony was, “Calvary covers it all,” and Ethel Taylor shared those words with MacDonald.
He asked her to repeat them, and suddenly the light dawned. “Oh! Mrs. Taylor, I’m so glad it’s true, and you told me. Calvary does cover it all! My whole past of sin and shame.” The former entertainer trusted in the Saviour that night in 1934, and lived to become an outstanding servant of Christ.
This magnificent old hymn is pure praise from start to finish, and is chock full of solid doctrine. Turn up your speakers and see His glory. The chord progressions are spectacular.
All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell; Come ye before Him and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed; Without our aid He did us make; We are His folk, He doth us feed, And for His sheep He doth us take.
O enter then His gates with praise; Approach with joy His courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless His Name always, For it is seemly so to do.
For why? the Lord our God is good; His mercy is for ever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son and Holy Ghost, The God Whom Heaven and earth adore, From men and from the angel host Be praise and glory evermore.
Hymn Story
All People That on Earth Do Dwell
In the Reformation, there was a difference of opinion between Luther and Calvin concerning music for congregational singing. Luther advocated the use of hymns and carols, and even wrote a number of those. Calvin was concerned that hymns not clearly based on scripture might introduce false doctrine into the church, and so he advocated the singing of Psalms. He said that there were “no better songs nor more appropriate to the purpose (of congregational singing) than the Psalms of David which the Holy Spirit made and spoke through him.”
Calvin, of course, was based in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1551, a Psalter was published in Geneva that included a song based on Psalm 134 and set to a tune by Louis Bourgeois. In 1561, the Anglo-Genevan Psalter (an English-language Psalter) was published in Geneva that included “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” set to that earlier tune by Bourgeois.
The words to “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” were written by William Kethe, a Scottish clergyman who had fled the persecutions of Queen Mary. His exile took him first to Frankfurt, Germany and thence to Geneva. Kethe helped with the translation of the Geneva Bible in 1560 and contributed 25 psalms to the Anglo-Genevan Psalter.
Kethe left Geneva for England in 1561, and took a copy of the Anglo-Genevan Psalter with him –– thereby introducing this music to the English. A number of his psalms found their way into the English Psalter of 1562, which was published by Thomas Sternhold and John Hopkins. All of his psalms were included in the Scottish Psalter two years later.
“All People That on Earth Do Dwell” is based on Psalm 100. That Psalm is five verses in length, and the song is four verses. The first verse of the song is based on verses 1 and 2 of the psalm, and each of the subsequent verses of the song is based on one verse of the psalm. It is probably the oldest hymn in common use today.
The tune by Bourgeois is known today as “Old Hundredth,” and is one of the best-known tunes in modern hymnals –– in large measure because it is also sung to the Doxology, “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.”
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.
sage
p.s. I post this as part of my continuous effort to point up the dangers of CCM, and hope and pray that God’s people will wake up to the serpent in the singing. Can you see what is being lost as the old hymns are cast aside for simple lyrics and rhythmic melodies? CCM is now firmly in IFB churches everywhere.
A brother in Christ from the Philippines, once related to me, how rice was sold in the poor village he was raised in. The rice merchant would first measure the rice into a large scoop – hold it up for the buyer to be reassured they were receiving full measure – and then, as he was lowering the scoop to pour the rice into their bag, he would subtly pour a small amount of the rice back into the large bin. This slight shaving resulted in more profit for him, since he did it to everyone.
SINCE MANKIND IS INHERENTLY EVIL< THIS STORY SHOULD NOT SURPRISE US. BUT< IT SHOULD SADDEN US.
We must admit, that we all “shave off,” here and there in our dealings with our fellow man, and with respect to honoring the Lord. Do we give “full measure?” Or, do we hold back somewhat? Just a little here and there? Does He have our whole heart? Or have we kept back a portion for the world? Do we cut corners in our worship and service?
DON’T SHVE OFF OR CUT CORNERS IN YOUR WORSHIP AND WITNESSING, FOR HE HAS GIVEN US THIS PROMISE –
Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.
For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
The prevailing trend is to put animals on the same level as man – making continual referrals to our “closest relative” – the chimpanzee. We see many well produced, heart-tugging, and expensive commercials for the Humane Society, or the ASPCA. All the while, crisis pregnancy centers struggle to keep their doors open, and private property owners are forced to surrender everything to an endangered animal.
Man is not an animal, man is God’s jewel of Creation
God. . .breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. Genesis 2: 7
Man is special to God
God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion . . .upon the earth. Genesis 1: 26
Man is positionally important to God
Thou wast precious in My sight. . .and I have loved thee. . .Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Isaiah 43: 4, 7
Our God is a Triune God
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is One Lord. . .Deuteronomy 6: 4
Man was created a triune being
I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5: 23
The New Age Religion seeks to spread the blasphemy, that not only is man one with nature – but God is also one with everything.
“Swami Vivekkananda, a Hindu guru widely thought of in America, taught that because the Mother-Goddess Kali is all, all in one, and all is cyclical, God is both good and evil:
‘Who can say that God does not manifest Himself as Evil as well as Good? But only the Hindu dares to worship him in the evil. . .How few have dared to worship death, or Kali? Let us worship death!’
Likewise, Lucifer is said to be neither evil nor good. He simply is. Formerly a destroyer, Lucifer now becomes a god – perhaps the God – chosen to shepherd mankind into the brightness of a New Age.
He is the Shiva and Kali of the New Age.” (Dark Secrets of the New Age,p. 87, Texe Marrs)
When young boys and girls are told repeatedly in school that the human embryo is no different than a chicken embryo in the early days of development – this sets the stage for abortion later on. After all – we eat chickens – don’t we?
14 I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139: 14-16
If you – or someone you know – is faced with an unplanned pregnancy – think about this one thing. . .ending the life that is growing, will not solve anything. Please, choose the miracle of life. Choose God’s way, not Satan’s way. God loves you so much, and you are so precious to Him, that He gave His life, so that you could live – you and your unborn child.
There are lovely and caring women, just waiting to help you, at crisis pregnancy centers all over America. Just look in the yellow pages. You will not be judged, you will be loved. You – and your child.
The reward of heeding wisdom, is God Himself. He is our reward! This is in direct contrast to what the prosperity ministries teach. If we seek after Him with the same intensity as a carnal person would seek after buried treasure – He will reveal Himself to us.
We continue on the same theme. This time finding out exactly what happens when we receive this Godly wisdom.
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
12 To deliver thee from the way of the
evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
This “evil man” can come in the guise of a co-worker, a friend, TV personality, a worldly book or magazine, employer, family member, class mate, neighbor, internet, or even a passing acquaintance.
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
Of course, the “strange woman” could be any woman. She could be the neighbor that dresses immodestly in front of your husband, the girl at work, the editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, one of the female false prophets on TV, your hairstylist, or even your kid’s Bible study teacher!
20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
Proverbs 2: 10-22
And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19
The reasons to homeschool your kids becomes more and more evident each day. This time, multiple teachers at an elementary school in Texas are accused of giving young children “sleepy stickers.” Here is a link to an article: cbsaustin
Apparently, the mother of a 4-year-old only found out because her daughter snuck it home after school explaining to her mom that the “sticker makes her fall asleep.”
This isn’t the first time it has happened, and it probably isn’t the only place it’s happening. In fact, something like this was also found out to be happening last year as well! Teacher resigns after giving melatonin…
Yikes! Check in with your kiddies and make sure they aren’t being secretly medicated!
127 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die. . . ye shall be as gods. . .
Genesis 3:4
James Hughes Ph.D., the Executive Director of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, is a bioethicist and sociologist at Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut where he teaches health policy and serves as Director of Institutional Research and Planning. He holds a doctorate in sociology from the University of Chicago, where he also taught bioethics at the MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics. Dr. Hughes is author of Citizen Cyborg: Why Democratic Societies Must Respond to the Redesigned Human of the Future , and is working on a second book tentatively titled Cyborg Buddha. Since 1999 he has produced a syndicated weekly radio program, Changesurfer Radio.
As transhuman possibilities increasingly develop, the compatibilities of metaphysics, theodicy, soteriology and eschatology between the transhumanist and religious worldviews will be built upon to create new “trans-spiritualities.” In this future religious landscape there will be bioconservative and transhumanist wings within all the world’s faiths, and probably new religious traditions inspired by the transhumanist project. We will create new religious rituals and meanings around biotechnological and cybernetic and cybernetic capabilities, just as we did around fire, the wheel, healing plants, and the book.
James J. Hughes, The Compatibility of Religious and Transhumanism Views of Metaphysics, Suffering, Virtue, and Transcendence in an Enhanced Future
In the Caltech experiments, the researchers stripped an HIV virus of its disease-causing elements and used it to virally infect single-cell embryos of mice with a gene from a jellyfish.
Any number of different genes could have been selected. For the purpose of the studies, the researchers chose a specific jellyfish gene that could serve as a “marker” to indicate whether the gene transfer was successful. The gene produces a protein that gives the jellyfish a green fluorescence.
When the mice were born, they carried the jellyfish gene in their own genes. Under fluorescent light, all their major tissues and organs—including skin, bones, muscles, lungs, liver, kidney, stomach, brain, and retina—emitted a green glow.
The trait became a permanent feature of the mice genome and was passed along to many of their offspring. (National Geographic)
This has gone much, much farther than glow mice. This description of the fearsome locusts in Revelation 9: 6-12 does not sound all that incredible in light of this.
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. 7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. 10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. 11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. 12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. Revelation 9:6-12
Anyone may see, how electronics (via the prince of the power of the air) have captured the hearts and minds of an entire generation. A well stocked home library can effectively stem that evil tide! And via garage sales and thrift stores, the home library can be filled to the brim with books for every member of the family. Truly, the warm pages of a book are far superior and more intimate than a Kindle or lap top.
Our local Salvation Army has paperback books at two for $.99. And absolutely free – children’s books and Bibles. Hardback books are $1.99, and some are truly nice. I also have picked up many sheet music books (barely used) at the same price they charge for paperbacks.
Findings published in the journal Social Science Researchshow that raising a child in a home filled with books positively impacts her future academic growth and job attainment. Specifically, asPacific Standard reported, the study found that when it comes to standardized tests, “Regardless of how many books the family already has, each addition to the home library helps children do better.” That makes sense: A book-filled home encourages a culture of reading for enjoyment and talking about books.
A growing body of evidence shows that growing up with home libraries boosts adult literacy, adult numeracy (math skills), and adult technological competence, with the greatest returns to the growth in smaller home libraries. In other words, adding just a few books to your home library can make a big difference.
Going from no books at home to some books at home. Going from some books to a few more. This is doable! That’s what we’re doing at BookGive all the time.
In this study, the researchers found that growing up with almost no books was associated with literacy levels at about 50% below average. Having at least 80 books raised the literacy levels to average. Once a home library hits the 300 range, the literary gains are not significant, although we’d never discourage folks from surrounding themselves with lots of books.
Our home library is significantly smaller now that our family has grown up and out, but we still feel that books are the gateway to knowledge. Some of my personal books are so well loved, they are more tape than paper… My sewing books are in the sewing room, cookbooks are in the kitchen, and and gardening books are all in a corner shelf near the piano. A full set of encyclopedias is stowed on a very high shelf in the linen closet. Because you never know!
The time you spend reading to and with your children, will be remembered with far greater clarity than any cartoons or games children play.
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, And liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, And searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.
As is so often the case – scientists are studying God’s Creation- and applying it to modern technology. Until recently – it was a mystery, just how geckos were able to cling so easily to even the smoothest surfaces, and still be able to maneuver around on the same surface. But now – the fascinating truth is discovered!
Even though gecko toe pads adhere strongly to almost any surface, they can peel off of those surfaces quickly. That’s because the pads have tiny hair-like projections made from the tough protein keratin that can only be seen at incredibly strong magnification. If the geckos’ feet and tiny keratin fibers got dirty, that sticky interaction wouldn’t work, making them instantly vulnerable to predators.
In an effort to find out how geckos keep their feet clean, researchers based at the University of Akron (UA) found that phospholipids, which are special kinds of thin oils, are manufactured and excreted to keep the keratin hairs clean and serve as the temporary contact adhesive between geckos’ toes and the surface on which they’re walking. (Brian Thomas, M.S.)
Scientists have already taken advantage of the phospholipids, and are synthesizing adhesives with great potential for formerly unheard of applications.
For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.
Colossians 1: 16
For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
The Vine Vigil 
