KING BELSHAZZAR: THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL

THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL

(Daniel 5)

King Belshazzar gave a banquet,

For a thousand nobles and his harem.

They toasted their gods with goblets of gold,

From God’s holy temple in Jerusalem.

They praised the gods of gold and silver,

As they all drank their mighty fine wine.

While praising gods of bronze, wood and iron,

God’s vessels they would malign.

There in the royal palace,

On a wall near the lampstand,

They couldn’t believe their eyes;

There appeared the fingers of a hand.

The king watched the hand as it wrote;

His face turned deathly pale.

He was so afraid his knees knocked together,

And his legs began to fail.

Enchanters, astrologers and diviners;

The king called his “wise” men to him.

The one who could translate the writing,

Would be third ruler over them.

But none of the “wise” men could read it,

So the king turned the color of cream.

The queen reminded him of Daniel,

And how he had solved his dad’s dream.

Daniel told King Belshazzar,

How God had made the ruler's dad king,

But his dad showed attitude, not gratitude;

God knew he needed humbling.

His dad lost his mind and grazed on grass;

Pride was his biggest sin.

When seven years later he looked to heaven,

God restored the king's dad again.

Belshazzar knew the story,

Yet the Lord God he ignored.

In fact he opposed Him when he praised other gods,

And his actions God deplored.

After Daniel told of God’s mindset,

For writing on the wall,

He began to interpret the writing,

Which foretold Belshazzar’s fall.

It said “Mene mene tekel parsin,”

“Mene” means with God you’ll contend,

Your days are numbered and so is your reign;

They will soon be brought to an end.

“Tekel” means you’ve been weighed on the scales,

And there you’ve been found wanting.

In other words, he had displeased God,

For the weight of his sins was daunting.

“Parsin” or “Peres” both mean the same:

The kingdom will be divided.

It will go to the Medes and Persians.

By God you should have been guided.

Daniel was then clothed in purple,

On his neck was placed a gold chain.

He was made the third highest ruler,

And that night the king was slain.

Becky L. Wall

DANIEL: THE MAN THE LIONS COULDN'T TAME

THE MAN THE LIONS COULDN'T TAME

(Daniel 6)

Daniel of Judah was captured,

When God’s remnant refused to obey.

Taken to Babylon, now Iran,

For 70 years they would stay.

Daniel was taught to serve the king;

He was strengthened in every way.

But when brought the king’s food and wine,

He refused to eat that day.

The food and wine he was offered,

God had deemed “unclean.”

So Daniel was defiant —

Not unusual for one just sixteen.

Daniel discussed with his captors;

What he would put in his gullet.

When the veggie-only diet worked,

One could say he dodged a bullet.

At the end of the set 10 days,

Daniel was smarter and stronger.

So he was admired by many,

And he feared his food no longer.

Daniel was liked by the king;

He was handsome, smart and strong.

He could also interpret visions and dreams;

In fact, he could “do no wrong.”

So the king declared him prime minister;

His appointment caused much strife.

Jealous men devised a plan,

Intended to end his life.

Administrators and lesser rulers—

The king was duped by them.

They convinced him to make a decree:

Bow and pray only to him.

Daniel’s foes had him in mind,

They knew his worship routine.

He prayed to God three times a day,

In a place where he could be seen.

Daniel was on his knees praying;

His faith was being tested.

Through his window he was observed,

And the onlookers had him arrested.

His arrest troubled the king,

For Daniel was the best of all men.

Tho’ tricked, the king was obliged,

To throw him in the lion’s den.

Daniel knew he’d be thrown to the lions,

If he disobeyed the king,

But the lions couldn’t tame him;

He bowed to no one or no thing.

The lions were extremely ravenous;

They hadn’t been given food.

But God shut their hungry mouths,

And put them in a good mood.

So when the time was up,

And the king had searched his own soul,

He ran to the den and to his surprise,

Daniel was alive and whole.

Daniel was restored again,

To his previous place of honor.

And the men who sought to have him killed,

Were each considered “a goner.”

Daniel was in a bad circumstance,

But God gave him great success.

Tho’ far from home and a slave to the king,

The king he would impress.

So no matter what your circumstance,

Therein be content.

Despite where you are or who you’re with,

Be faithful and obedient.

Becky L. Wall

LAZARUS: DEAD TO THE WORLD

LAZARUS -- DEAD TO THE WORLD

Mary and Martha were sisters;

Their brother, Lazarus, was ill.

So they sent word to Jesus;

They knew He could heal with His will.

Jesus was in another town.

He purposely delayed.

He wanted God to be glorified,

So for two more days He stayed.

He bid his disciples to go to Judea.”

Among His orders, this one was stranger.

They balked at that idea,

For Jesus would be in much danger.

The disciples argued with Him,

“Lazarus is just sick in bed.”

So Jesus told them plainly,

“Lazarus is dead.”

Thomas spoke of Jesus to the others,

“Let’s go die with Him”

Thomas is called a doubter,

But he put himself out on a limb.

By the time they arrived in Judea,

Lazarus was four days in decay.

Many mourners had gathered around,

The tomb where Lazarus lay.

Martha ran out to meet Jesus;

Mary stayed home and cried.

Martha said, “If you had been here,

My brother would not have died.”

Martha’s faith had not wavered,

Though she wondered about His next task.

She said, “I know even now,

God will give you whatever you ask.”

Jesus said, “He will rise again.”

But Martha misunderstood.

She thought Jesus meant the Last Day,

So, of course, she knew he would.

Martha went and got Mary,

Who fell at His feet and said,

“If only you had been here,

My brother would not be dead.”

Jesus was deeply moved;

In fact, Jesus wept.

He ordered the stone be rolled away,

From the tomb where the body was kept.

When the stone was rolled away,

Christ prayed and gave a shout.

God’s glory was shone with His words:

“LAZARUS, COME OUT!”

A living man walked from the tomb

Wrapped in linens and a shroud.

God indeed was glorified,

For the miracle had drawn a crowd.

The Pharisees were angry.

“People trust in Him,” they said.

They feared the loss of prestige and power,

So they wanted Jesus dead.

Christ could not move freely about;

His death was surely fated.

The disciples and He went to a town,

Where for the Passover they waited.

Never give up hope,

Though you think you lost your soul.

Your heart may be in decay,

But Christ can make you whole.

Becky Wall

AN ANALOGY TOLD TO KING DAVID: I LOVE EWE

I LOVE EWE

(II Samuel 11)

David was serving as king,

Of the whole Israelite nation.

Though he had served with integrity,

He one day succumbed to temptation.

He slept with Bathsheba, another man’s wife,

Then learned she would bear his child.

David tried to cover their sin,

So they would not be reviled.

The husband’s name was Uriah,

A brave and honorable guy.

But David took no pity on him,

When he sent him out to die.

A war was going on;

Future gossip could be stilled,

If Uriah was sent to the front of the war,

Where he would surely be killed.

The Lord sent Nathan to David,

With a story meant to chastise.

The whole point of the allegory,

Was to open David’s eyes.

There were two men in a certain town —

One rich, the other poor.

The poor man had one little lamb;

The rich one had sheep galore.

The poor man had purchased the lamb.

He nurtured it while it grew.

The lamb shared his food and his cup.

He could truly say “I love ewe.”

A traveler came to the rich man’s home;

The custom was to feed a guest.

So the rich man followed the custom,

Though he did not feed him his best.

In fact, he saved his own sheep,

And took the poor man’s pet.

When he fed the lamb to the traveler,

The poor man was very upset.

After David heard the story,

He did everything but cry.

He angrily said, “As sure as God lives,

The man deserves to die!”

“He should pay for the lamb four times,”

David fumed while his clueless mouth ran.

After David pronounced his judgment,

Nathan cried, “You are that man!”

Nathan continued his message,

Also from the Lord.

Who saved David from Saul and made him king,

Both facts which David had ignored.

Nathan spelled out what David had done;

His secrets were brought to light.

The Lord sent calamity to his house;

Things would never be right.

David repented of his sin,

Which the Lord God did forgive.

But the punishment for his sin remained:

His son to be born would not live.

Becky Wall

PHARISEES: NOTHING HURTS LIKE THE TRUTH

(Luke 7:36-50)

Jesus was asked by a Pharisee,

To come to his house to eat.

Christ reclined at Simon’s table,

Then a woman appeared at His feet.

She had lived a sinful life,

Maybe looking for someone to care.

She brought a jar of perfume,

When she learned that Jesus was there.

She wet His feet with her tears,

And wiped them with her hair.

She kissed them then applied perfume,

And the perfume was very rare.

The Pharisee who invited Jesus,

Said to himself with doubt,

"If this man were really a prophet,

He’d know what this woman is about."

Jesus then said to Simon,

"I will tell you about her tears."

"Tell me, teacher," Simon said.

Though he wasn’t exactly all ears.

"Two men owed money to a certain lender:

A large and a little debt.

Neither of them could pay the man back,

So the lender said the loans he’d forget.

Now which man loved him more?" Jesus asked.

Simon replied with dread,

"I suppose the one with the bigger debt."

"You are right," Jesus then said.

"Look at her” said Jesus to Simon,

Who chose right but still felt defeat,

“I came as a guest into your house.

Yet you give me no water for my feet.”

But she wet my feet with her tears,

And wiped them with her hair.

Though you did not give me a kiss on the cheek,

She kisses my feet though they're bare.

You did not put oil on my head,

But she poured perfume on my feet.

Therefore, I tell you, her sins are forgiven--

Her measure of love you can’t meet.

Those who’ve been forgiven little,

Usually love very little."

The ones who know Christ’s mercy,

Cherish their day of acquittal.

Then Jesus said to the woman,

In front of the other guests,

"Your sins I have forgiven."

But the guests were not impressed.

They began to huddle and say,

"Who is this who forgives her sin?"

They were insulted by His words,

For they were not caring men.

Jesus said to the woman,

After giving her sins release,

"Your strong faith has saved you;

You may go in peace."

The Pharisee felt no peace;

He thought Jesus was uncouth.

He and the others would retaliate,

Because nothing hurts like the truth.

Becky Overturf Wall

WHEN THE MOUNTAINS ENVIED A HILL

The mountains envied Mt. Zion,

Where Christ would fulfill God’s will.

Tho’ the mountains thought themselves mighty,

They fell short of that little hill.

They watched as Jesus carried His cross,

And their stones cried out in vain.

They witnessed the crucifixion.

And they heard Him cry out in pain.

They stood arrayed in beauty,

That came from heaven above,

By the man on the cross, the Son of God,

And He formed them with great love.

They wept when He breathed His last,

Forming streams, waterfalls and fountains.

They thought their Creator was gone forever,

When He died on the little mountain.

They could see from where they towered,

That Christ was placed in a tomb.

They watched as His mother wailed,

At the loss of the fruit of her womb.

All at once they began to tremble,

As the earth began to quake.

The sun refused to shine,

And the dead began to awake.

Gloom filled up their valleys

The trees hung their limbs in despair.

Three days later they saw a bright light,

And all they could do was stare.

An angel rolled the stone away,

That was put there by His foes.

Jesus had conquered death,

For from that tomb He arose.

The mountains broke out in color;

The trees began to sway.

The stones sang a song of praise,

And the sun shone brighter that day.

Envy was turned to honor,

Toward the mount that had suffered great strife.

For that is where Christ chose to die,

And create a River of Life.

Becky Wall

 

DAD ALWAYS LIKED YOU BEST

DAD ALWAYS LIKED YOU BEST

(Genesis 37)

Joseph had many brothers.

Ten had a different mother,

But Rachel, the dad’s favorite wife,

Bore Joseph and Benjamin, his brother.

The ten other brothers were jealous,

Of the sons of the favorite wife.

They especially disliked Joseph;

They pondered how to take his life.

Joseph’s father had given to him,

A special, colorful coat.

The brothers angrily noticed how,

On Joseph their father would dote.

Joseph began to dream vivid dreams,

In which he ruled his brothers.

They were mad that he thought he was special,

Just because they had different mothers.

So while the brothers were working the field,

They began to devise a plan.

With Joseph’s demise in mind,

They plotted how to lessen their clan.

But Judah, the oldest brother,

Became somewhat sad.

He convinced the other brothers,

Not to harm the lad.

After taking Joseph’s coat,

They threw him in a dry well.

When travelers offered to buy him,

The brothers agreed to sell.

They got twenty pieces of silver,

It wasn’t exactly a wad.

Another man would be sold one day,

And He’d be the Son of God.

Becky Wall

MARY'S PERFUME VS. THE PHARISEES' STENCH: A FRAGRANT AROMA OR THE SMELL OF DEATH?

A FRAGRANT AROMA OR THE SMELL OF DEATH?
John 12, I Cor. 12:17, II Cor. 2:14-16, Ps. 115:6

  

Jesus reclined at the table;

He and Lazarus were ready to eat.

Then Mary took an expensive perfume,

And poured it on Jesus' feet.

The house was filled with the fragrance.

Mary wiped His feet with her hair.

But Martha was in a huff,

For they had a meal to prepare.

The aroma was pleasant to Jesus,

And not just because of the scent.

The love that was poured from the bottle,

Was the fragrance that to heaven went.

Martha was right to be hospitable,

But to Jesus, Mary did well.

Christ would not always be with them,

For a stench arose from hell.

Some people have ears that cannot hear,

And eyes that won’t see or that wink.

They have noses but do not smell,

And hearts in decay that stink.

The knowledge of Christ is a fragrance,

That comes from the Spirit’s breath.

To saved ones we're the fragrance of life;

To the others we're the smell of death.

Becky Wall

2 Cor. 2:14  But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

2 Cor. 2:15-17  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 

Ps. 115:6  they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell.

CREATED EQUAL BUT DIFFERENT

CREATED EQUAL BUT DIFFERENT

There's nothing wrong with being different in this world. God made us that way to balance each other out. Here's some examples of our differences:

God made the witty to make life fun.

God made the serious to bring us back to the seriousness of reality.

God made the emotional because they pour their emotions into the arts and teach us empathy and caring.

God made the “laid back” because they calm us down.

God made the booksmart because we need knowledge to progress.

God made the not-so-booksmart because they often develop common sense and many other abilities not learned from a book.

God made the energetic people because they get things done.

God made the less energetic people because they take the time to think things through and they calm the rest of us down a notch.

God made decisive people because they make good business people.

God made those less decisive because they consider all alternatives and consequences.

God made the bold because they are willing to say things that need to be said.

God made the less bold to keep people from getting their feelings hurt.

God made the brave to protect us.

God made the less brave because they are considerate of the well-being of others and their own bodies.

God made the rich to provide jobs, to help the poor, to support the church, and to test their generosity and fairness.

God didn’t make the poor that way, but they are special to Him because they rely on Him only, because they have learned what is really important in life, they find happiness in relationships and not things, and they often rise from adversity to do great things.

God made the first man and woman perfect, but we have contaminated our world and therefore we have the handicapped. God can work with the handicapped as well as he can the “perfect.” Just look at Beethoven, Helen Keller, and the Apostle Paul. Their lives weren't based on the material things of the world or on sinful behavior. They were all winners over most of us.

Elders and deacons in a church board meeting sometimes have differences of opinion and each may think their opinion outweighs the others, but all opinions should be considered and weighed against scripture. The end result should be that all are in agreement, being of one accord. Division, even in a board meeting, is detrimental to the harmony of the church as a people. The elders' decisions do carry more weight according to the Bible, so that is to be taken into consideration. They have been chosen for their wisdom and good character. I Peter 5:2-3 says, "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

We deal with many different personalities on a daily basis. Often we expect them to think and act like us but that usually isn't going to happen. We are not all wired the same. Conflicts may arise but we would be wise to keep in mind that God made us all unique, each differing from the other in many ways. Yet we are all equal in God's eyes. He loves us all the same and we should do likewise.

Becky Wall
beckyowall.blogspot.com

key words: #equal #equalbutdifferent #diversities #uniquepeople #goddgivengifts

SPEAKING IN TONGUES - MY STUDY

SPEAKING IN TONGUES:

Q:  When is speaking in tongues specifically mentioned in the Bible?

A:  It was mentioned on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:3-8) and when the first Gentiles were converted (Acts 10:38-48 & Acts 15:7-8). It is also mentioned in Acts 19:4-6. Mark 16:17 says they spoke “in new tongues.” In I Corinthians chapters 12-14, Paul speaks to the Corinthians about the use and abuse of the gift of speaking in tongues.

 

Q:  Were people who had the gift of speaking in tongues able to pass it on to others?

A:  No. Only the apostles and Paul, who had a special calling, were able to pass on the gift. This is evident in Acts 8:12-17 when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had accepted Christ, they sent for Peter and John to lay hands on them so they could receive the Holy Spirit. Philip had been preaching to them, but he couldn’t do it, though he had the gifts, because he was only a deacon and not one of the chosen Apostles. When the apostles died off, so did the passing of the gifts, but by then we had the New Testament. The evidences were no longer needed to prove the validity of the message the Apostles preached.

 

Q:  What was the purpose of this gift?

A:  There were so many different languages in the region, and when people of different languages came together on holy days, such as occurred on the Day of Pentecost, in order for them to receive the message, it was necessary that the 12 apostles speak in different languages. It was also a sign to unbelievers who neither knew Jesus nor had the Bible to read. And it was to be used to edify the church and for the common good (I Cor. 14:7). Paul says in Romans 15:19,  “by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.” He needed the power the signs and miracles brought him, in conjunction with the power of the Spirit, while he was proclaiming the gospel of Christ.

 

Q: What were the rules of practice?

A: Paul spells out the rules in I Corinthians chapters 12-14. They are as follows:

• I Cor. 13:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
• Interpretation necessary (I Cor. 14:5)
• I Cor. 14:6 says what good does it do unless it brings a special message that can be understood.
• I Cor. 14:13 – the person should pray that he can interpret what he says.
• 1 Cor 14:12  So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
• 1 Cor 14:14  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
• 1 Cor 14:19  But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
• 1 Cor 14:27  If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
• 1 Cor 14:28  If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
• 1 Cor 14:39-40  Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Q:  What harm can the abuse of the gift of speaking in tongues do?

A:  Plenty, according to Paul in I Corinthians 14. It can:

• 1 Cor 14:7  Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?
• 1 Cor 14:8  Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
• 1 Cor 14:9  So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
• 1 Cor 14:16  If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?
• 1 Cor 14:17  You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
• 1 Cor 14:22  Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
• 1 Cor 14:23  So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
• 1 Cor 14:33  For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
• It has and can divide the church, and God is totally against division. (Romans 15:5-6, Eph. 1:4-14)

Q:  Is speaking in tongues the greatest gift?

A:  Absolutely not. I Cor. 12:31-I Cor. 1, 8, 13-14:4 makes this clear. The greatest gifts to be desires are faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.

 

Q:  Can Satan counterfeit this gift?

A.  Yes. Even witch doctors speak in tongues.

--Becky Overturf Wall