REGARDING KINGS AND AUTHORITIES

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.”

Romans 13:1
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Romans 13:5
Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Romans 13:6
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

Titus 3:1
Saved in Order to Do GoodRemind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good...

GOD, THE 3-IN-1

 GOD, THE 3-IN-1

I asked myself why I usually talk about God instead of Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Well, when I talk to or about God, I am talking to or about all three: God the Father, God the Son and God, the Holy Spirit who was left behind as a gift from Jesus to us when we are baptized.

In my prayers, I specifically thank Jesus for dying on the cross and for making a place for us in heaven. After all, it was Jesus the Son who died a terrible death on the cross preceded by a horrible beating with a whip and other painful, humiliating, and cruel actions. God the Father allowed His Son to endure all that so that we can co-exist with them in heaven. All decent fathers know how crushed God the Father must have felt.

As for the Holy Spirit, I give Him credit for what I write. He provides the inspiration. He intercedes for all of us in prayer when we just don’t know what to say or how to say it. He helps us understand scripture. He’s there in ways in which we are not aware.

Still, it was Jesus who, as both God and man, was tortured and then hung on a cross – not His Father, not His mother, not the Holy Spirit, not any saint, not a statue, not Santa or the Easter Bunny. Christ deserves the worship, praise and glory for sacrificing Himself for our benefit. I know if I had gone through something like that, I wouldn’t want my loved ones to go to someone else for their needs or to worship or to praise. Christ’s goal was to win the hearts of men and women so we can live with Him in heaven. His expectation is for them to obediently follow Him through His teachings, although His teachings were from His Father. No one or nothing else is to get the glory for God, the Son, laying down His life for us. According to Exodus 20:4-5a (one of the 10 Commandments), we are not to make “an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them …”

Stay focused on Christ but don't neglect the Old Testament in which God, the Father, is predominant in teaching us about sin and in the process, we also learn history. Don't forget about the Holy Spirit, who is a tutor of sorts and is there when you are stumped about something you read or heard. He's there when you say your prayers and gives you inspiration and remembrance as needed. I've had it said to me that the three are like the fingers on a hand, though in that case there are five-in-one.

--Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

4-19-25

GIVING GIVES BACK

This is a portion of another article I have written. That one may be a little more controversial because it crosses political lines, so I opted to just pull this part out.

GIVING GIVES BACK

If the church itself is poor, giving of oneself through labor by an individual or individuals in the church will often meet those unmet needs. That amounts to tithing of your time and talents. If an elderly widow cannot afford to make repairs on her house, the donation of one’s services will save the same amount of money that the church would have had to donate if the church family had the money. In that situation, the woman saves money when an expense is eliminated, which is the same as receiving money. Ideally, every individual with a skill would donate 10 percent of their time to a person in need of the services they are able to provide.

God allows for great financial gain. Abraham was rich and so was Joseph after he became the second most powerful man in the Egyptian nation. David and Solomon were both rich. In fact, Solomon was probably the richest king ever. Though God allowed individuals to keep their riches, he also required them to consider the poor and to respond with generosity.

God wants us to learn to give. Giving stimulates the heart. It requires caring, compassion, consideration, sacrifice and love, all of which build character. Giving helps the Christian stay focused. Self-centeredness cannot rule the soul when generosity is present. Hard-heartedness is avoided when self is sacrificed. Giving provides an emotional reward and builds our relationship with Christ. We are an example to others with our giving. Givers earn honor and respect and make the world a better place. There is much truth in “It is better to give than receive.”

I Timothy 6:17-19 says "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

--Becky Wall

DOOR KNOCKERS

 

DOOR KNOCKERS

I don't like to pick apart other churches and am even wary about saying much about cults because I don't know enough about them to feel confident about what I'm saying. But I just looked up the name of the buildings where a certain group of people I will call Door Knockers meet. The buildings are called Kingdom Halls. They are called that because the word translated "church" in the Bible refers to a group of worshipers -- the people. Duh. It seems the Door Knockers prefer to focus on the building rather than the people.

They don't display symbols and that includes the cross. I remember visiting a friend when I was in my early 20s when some Door Knockers came knocking on her door. She graciously let them come in. One Door Knocker was training the other. The one doing the training started "witnessing" how we who are not Door Knockers have many erroneous beliefs, such as Jesus being hung on a cross. She insisted He was hung on a tree. I told her the cross was fashioned from a tree. Jesus didn't carry a tree up the hill where he was hung. I had to hold back a giggle when the trainee, standing behind her mentor, started nodding her head at what I was saying. I realized that day how important it is to know the Bible so you are able to "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2:15. 

A third thing I know they focus on, especially in their handouts, is the end times. I was approached one day in my back yard by a couple of Door Knockers and they started talking about how their teachings are so much more accurate than ours, meaning those of us who aren't Door Knockers. I asked them why they focus so much on the end times. They denied that they do. I asked them to turn their literature over and let me see the back. There was an article about the end times. I had noticed that the end times was discussed in their literature in the laundromat and wherever else they left their handouts. That seemed to take the wind out of their sails and they left. 

Again, it's so important to know what's truth and what isn't. The devil tempted Jesus by using scripture out of context but Jesus came back with the full meaning of those scriptures. It isn't that the devil didn't know the real meaning of those scriptures; he purposely altered the truths or didn't tell the whole truth and meaning of the verses. 

I have a cousin whose whole family are diehard Door Knockers. They are so involved that they moved from the Benton area to Fairview Heights just to be near a Kingdom Hall. When she was high school age, my cousin lived with our family of ten for a year while things weren't going well for her at home, but she won't have anything to do with us now because we're not Door Knockers and won't go along with her beliefs. She is always on my mind when the subject of Door Knockers comes up. It makes me sad. She has three beautiful daughters and a son. That's as much as I know about them because even though we are blood kin -- her mother is my dad's twin -- we are not Door Knockers.

AN EVIL NATION ROBS GOD

The basis of this poem was taken from the Old Testament book of Malachi. I have just put the passage to rhyme using as few words as possible of my own.

AN EVIL NATION ROBS GOD

(Malachi 2:13 - Malachi 3:12)

You come to the Lord’s holy table,

Saying “What a burden,” as if cursed.

You promise to give the Lord your best,

But then you bring the worst.

You flood the Lord’s altar with tears,

And yet you’re no longer blessed,

For you have broken faith with your wife,

You’ve destroyed the family nest.

When wed, the Lord made you one,

Both in flesh and spirit is the wedding.

But you robbed God of the fruit of your loins,

Knowing He sought Godly offspring.

Also, I hate divorce, says the Lord,

And that violence like a garment is worn.

From the harm that is done by divorce,

Many lives are badly torn.

You have wearied the Lord with your words,

They’re as plentiful as dust.

You suggest that I accept evil,

Or say “Where’s a God that is just?”

Would a man rob his God, yet I’m robbed;

Your greed just keeps getting worse.

You rob me through tithes and offerings,

So the nation is under a curse.

In order to always have food,

Bring the full tithe of your offerings.

Heaven’s floodgates will open;

There won’t be room for the blessings.

Pests or vines won’t ruin your crops,

If you will obey and live rightful.

All nations will call you blessed,

And your land will be delightful.

You have said it is futile to serve me,

And therefore, what can be gained?

Now the arrogant are called blessed,

And evil is ever sustained.

But you who revere my name,

And many trials endure,

Shall one day be rich beyond measure;

Your lives will be secure.

So respect the wife of your youth,

And don’t fracture your happy home.

Or you will trade your mansion in heaven,

For the place where demons roam.

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME

This is a study of the word "shame." Shame is something we all experience at sometime in our lives. Some experience shame more often than others. They may live in a household where they are shamed alot or kids may be shamed at school. This is what the Bible has to say about the subject.

1 Peter 3:16 - keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

1 Peter 4:16 - However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

1 Samuel 20:30 - Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?

1 Samuel 20:34 - Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the feast he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father’s shameful treatment of David.

Psalm 4:2 - How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

Psalm 34:5 - Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Psalm 97:7 - All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols— worship him, all you gods!

Proverbs 3:35 - The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.

Proverbs 13:18 - Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

Proverbs 18:13 - To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.

Proverbs 19:26 - Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace.

Proverbs 25:8 - do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?

Isaiah 42:17 - But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.

Isaiah 45:24 - They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’” All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.

Isaiah 54:4 - “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

RICH VS. POOR

RICH VS. POOR

Proverbs 22:1

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:7
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Job 36:18
Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.

Psalm 49:16-20

Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
and people praise you when you prosper—
19 they will join those who have gone before them,
who will never again see the light of life.
20 People who have wealth but lack understanding
are like the beasts that perish.

Psalm 62:10
Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

Psalm 112:1-5

Praise the Lord.
Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.
2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.

Proverbs 10:15
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

Proverbs 11:28
Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

Proverbs 12:27
The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

Proverbs 13:7
One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

Proverbs 13:8
A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

Proverbs 14:20
The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

Proverbs 18:11
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

Proverbs 18:23
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

Proverbs 21:17
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

Proverbs 22:1
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:2
Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.

Proverbs 22:16
One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Proverbs 23:4
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.

Proverbs 23:5
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Proverbs 27:24
for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.

Proverbs 28:6
Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.

Proverbs 28:11
The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

Proverbs 28:20
A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 28:22
The stingy are eager to get rich and are unaware that poverty awaits them.

Proverbs 30:8
Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.

Ecclesiastes 5:8
Riches Are MeaninglessIf you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.

Ecclesiastes 5:12
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.

Ecclesiastes 10:6
Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.

Ecclesiastes 10:20
Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say. (Have you ever heard the saying "A little birdie told me so." It could be it came from this Bible verse.

Jeremiah 9:23
This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,

Jeremiah 17:11
Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay are those who gain riches by unjust means. When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them, and in the end they will prove to be fools.

Jeremiah 48:7
Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive, and Chemosh will go into exile, together with his priests and officials.

Jeremiah 49:4
Why do you boast of your valleys, boast of your valleys so fruitful? Unfaithful Daughter Ammon, you trust in your riches and say, ‘Who will attack me?’

Hosea 12:8
Ephraim boasts, “I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.” (Ha!)

Micah 6:12
Your rich people are violent; your inhabitants are liars and their tongues speak deceitfully.

Matthew 19:23-24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Luke 6:24
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

Luke 8:14
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

Luke 12:16-21
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.  And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Luke 16: 1-31

Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ 3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ 5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 “‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’ 7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’ 8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

ILL-GOTTEN GAIN

Proverbs 1:19
Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.

Proverbs 10:2
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 28:16
A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.

Jeremiah 5:27
"Their houses are stuffed with ill-gotten gain, like a hunter's bag full of birds."

Jeremiah 17:11
Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay are those who gain riches by unjust means. When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them, and in the end they will prove to be fools.

Micah 4:13
“Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hooves of bronze, and you will break to pieces many nations.” You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the Lord, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” John 2:13-17

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” Mark 11:15-17

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” Matthew 21:12

KJV

Proverbs 1:19 - So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Proverbs 15:27
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

THE ATTITUDES IN THE BEATITUDES

THE ATTITUDES IN THE BEATITUDES

Or the B-Attitudes, for they are all Blessed

(Based on Matthew 5, Luke 6+)

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn;

They will laugh once again.

Blessed are the meek --

Those with a quiet spirit.

They will inherit the earth,

And everything that's in it.

Blessed are those who seek righteousness;

A great hunger and thirst they show.

They will be spiritually filled;

Their cups will overflow.

Blessed are the merciful,

For they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

For God will see them as worthy.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they will be called children of God.

Their Father will bless and keep them,

No matter where they have trod.

Blessed are those who are persecuted,

Because of their righteousness,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven,

Where God watches over us.

“Blessed are those insulted and persecuted,

And evil words against them are poured.

If those wicked words are because of Me.

Rejoice, for heaven is your reward.

Becky Wall

ALIENS AMONG US

(Based on Eze. 22:29 & I Pet. 2:11)

There are aliens on our planet,

I have proof that they exist.

Some even walk among us.

It’s true; it’s a fact; I insist.

They may or may not look like us;

Their speech is not the same.

This is not their homeland;

Who knows why they came.

But God instructed long ago:

Don’t mistreat the alien.

His Word tells us to love them;

In fact, some may be kin.

They’re not from another planet,

But they are from another land.

We should be ready to welcome them,

And lend them a helping hand.

This isn’t our home, either,

For Christians are aliens, too;

Think before you alien-ate,

Christ may do the same unto you.

Becky Wall