Saturday, August 23, 2014

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Meditations from 1st Corinthians 9 or My Sunday School Lesson

1st Corinthians 9:12-27


1 Corinthians 9:12 KJV
[12] If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

Are we willing to give up our legitimate rights for the furtherance of the Gospel and the benefit of others?

1 Corinthians 9:15 KJV
[15] But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

What are we willing to sacrifice for the gospel?

1 Corinthians 9:16 KJV
[16] For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!


Do we think of think our duty for God earns extra credit with God or realize that woe is me if I fail to do what He has called me to do?

1 Corinthians 9:17 KJV
[17] For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

Do we realize that God has entrusted us with something to do for Him? If we realize God has called us to do something, then we have a responsibility to be oversee the calling/gift He has entrusted to us. I believe God has something for all of us, we should be faithful.

1 Corinthians 9:18 KJV
[18] What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.


Are looking for rewards for our service or just thankful for the opportunity to serve?

1 Corinthians 9:19 KJV
[19] For though I be free from all men , yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.


Are we controlled by people or free ( see Galatians 1:10) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Do we realize that we are to be servants to others?

1 Corinthians 9:20-22 KJV
[20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; [21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. [22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. …

Do we look for common ground with people to be able to reach them or minister to them.

1 Corinthians 9:23 KJV
[23] And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you .


Are we committed to doing all things for the sake of the Gospel realizing that when we pour our all into the Lord's work we receive the benefits of The Lord. We will reap what we sow.

1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV
[24] Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.


Are we running to win? How serious are we about fulfilling God's eternal purpose for our lives?

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 KJV
[25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. …


Are we living an intentional life for Christ?

Are we exercising discipline?

Are we making our body our slave?

Do we realize the importance of practicing what we preach or profess to be and that there are serious consequences for doing otherwise?








Sent from my iPad

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Response from Johnny Isakson about Andrew Tamooressi

In response to my email  about the marine in a Mexican prison I got this email. I appreciate Mr. Isakson replying to my email but I still do not understand why it even takes a petition to get our marine released from this Mexican prison. I thought we had somewhat of a relationship with Mexico. Evidently they do not think much of our people or its something else. who knows anymore, this world is upside down.
http://blueridgemountainboy.blogspot.com/2014/08/free-our-marine-in-mexico.html
"





Dear Mr. Young:

Thank you for contacting me about Andrew Tahmooressi's arrest in Mexico.  I appreciate hearing from you and am grateful for the opportunity to respond.

On March 31, 2014, Andrew Tahmooressi, a U.S. citizen and Marine veteran, was arrested by Mexican authorities on weapons charges.  According to Mr. Tahmooressi, he was driving to a dinner in San Ysidro, Calif., when he missed his exit and mistakenly crossed the border into Mexico with three firearms in his vehicle. If convicted, Tahmooressi faces six to 21 years in a Mexican prison.

In a letter to Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.-50), the State Department said they were aware of an arrest of a U.S. citizen in Mexico.  However, they do not comment on arrests of private individuals without the citizen's permission.

In the letter to Mexico's Attorney General, a bipartisan group of congressmen led by California Reps. Duncan Hunter and Juan Vargas, ask for Tahmooressi's case to be dismissed.  A petition has been started on the White House website asking for the President to become involved in his case.  The petition must get 100,000 signatures before the White House will comment on it.

I am concerned about this situation and am monitoring it as it develops.  I will keep your comments and concerns in mind should further action come before the Senate.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please visit my webpage at http://isakson.senate.gov/ for more information on the issues important to you and to sign up for my e-newsletter.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson
United States Senator

For future correspondence with my office, please visit my web site athttp://www.isakson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-me. You can also click here to sign up for the eNewsletter

Monday, August 4, 2014

Free our Marine in Mexico

U.S. Marine still in Mexican prison, WHY!!!!!!

Why is Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi still in a Mexican prison? Americans should be outraged if the information we have been given is correct. Tahooressi has been locked up since early spring after he mistakenly drove across the Mexican border with some firearms he had purchaed in the United States. If Fox News is accurate in their reporting of this story, Americans should be outragred and I believe that the American Government should be demanding the release of this soldier. If the Mexican's should persist persist in holding Tahmooressi than I would be in favor of sending special Ops into free this marine. What  is the U. S. government is doing to get this marine released? That is a question that I believe needs to be answered. Another question I have is, what are the Mexicans thinking? If they have the same evidence that Fox News has presented and they have been following the news, then why are they still holding him a prisoner. I don't get it. I have a few theories about why    they will not release him.

1) They do not have a clue. Their legal system  may be inept.

2) They do  not care have no  respect for  the United States of America

4) They know something we have not  been  told.


Whatever may be the case, unless he is guilty of something really bad we do not know or Mexico has a very good reason, they need to release  Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi. If you agree, please share.