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21. Aloha, Hear the cries of the needy - Psalms 69:33 -- 09-25-05
Dear Esta and Everyone I Know,
Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for responding from the "Contact Us" web site of the Life Recovery Ministry. Thank you for sharing the Word of God.
Psalm 69:33 (New Living Translation)
For the LORD hears the cries of his needy ones;
he does not despise his people who are oppressed. He declares the judgments of God.The previous verses are prophecies of the destruction of Christ's persecutors. They are applied to the judgments of God upon the unbelieving and those who oppress the poor and homeless. When the our society's culture and delights of sense, through the corruption of our nature by despising the needy, are made the food and fuel of sin, then we might be getting trapped by something other than God. Their sin (those described by the psalmist who ignore the needy) was, that they would not see, but shut their eyes against the Light, loving darkness rather; their punishment was, that they should not see, but should be given up to their own hearts' lusts which hardened them. Those who reject God's great salvation freely available to us all, may justly fear that His indignation will be poured out upon those of us whom might demean the poor. If men will sin, the Lord will reckon for it. But those that have multiplied to sin, may yet find mercy, through the righteousness of the Mediator. God shuts not out any from that righteousness; the gospel excludes none who do not, by unbelief, shut themselves out. But those who are proud and self-willed, so that they will not come in to God's righteousness, shall have their doom accordingly; they themselves decide it. Let those not expect any benefit thereby, who are not glad to be beholden to it. It is better to be poor and sorrowful, with the blessing of the Lord, than rich and jovial, and under his curse. This may be applied to Christ. He was, when on earth, a man of sorrows that had not where to lay his head; but God exalted Him. Let us call upon the Lord, and though poor and sorrowful, guilty and defiled, his salvation will set us up on high as we do our best to help the needy. If we can't help those outside of our own walls, how can we really help those in New Orleans or other parts of the world. When will we see what is right around us and DO something about it? Bob Erb and the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry hears the cries of the needy and we DO something about it. As God does not despise them, nor do we by our ACTIONS, not just talk and words and rhetoric. God bless you and your family, and those you help. Your brother in Christ,
Bob Erb @ http://www.waikikibeachoutreach.com/wst_page4.html MailFromName - Esta Lake
Comments - The Lord hears the cries of his needy ones;he does not despise his people who are oppressed.Psalm 69;33 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
20. Aloha, Denial - Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:1 -- 09-24-05
Dear Randy and Everyone I Know,
Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. I started thinking about you today as I was reading Ecclesiastes 3 and thought I might share those thoughts with you and others.
I started out with Ecclesiastes 3:6, and then remembered I wrote something about the first 8 verses many months ago. I reviewed what I wrote and then continued to read the scriptures. As I started to read verses 16 to the end of that chapter and started into 4, I was thinking about Solomon recognizing all of the injustices as you do. So I share it here for you and add some comments.
Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:1 (New Living Translation)
The Injustices of Life
(16) I also noticed that throughout the world there is evil in the courtroom. Yes, even the courts of law are corrupt! (17) I said to myself, "In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds." (16) Then I realized that God allows people to continue in their sinful ways so he can test them. That way, they can see for themselves that they are no better than animals. (19) For humans and animals both breathe the same air, and both die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless! (20) Both go to the same place--the dust from which they came and to which they must return. (21) For who can prove that the human spirit goes upward and the spirit of animals goes downward into the earth? (22) So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why they are here! No one will bring them back from death to enjoy life in the future.
Ecclesiastes 4(1) Again I observed all the oppression that takes place in our world. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and the victims are helpless.
Some of us avoid or cope with our own pain by trying to fix the world. We try to right every wrong, heal every wound, point out every injustice. We spend our time demanding that the world system reform. We may also dedicate ourselves to rescuing and reforming those we love. Our zealousness to set the world right can be a means of denying that we are powerless to do so.
Solomon, as you do, saw that the world was not as it should be. He also recognized that it was ultimately God's job to judge the injustices in our world.
When we set out to save the world, we err by taking on a role that belongs to God. What we gain my taking on such a massive task is the guarantee that we will always be busy. Then we will never have the time or energy to face our own issues. The Bible makes it clear that the world will never be right until Jesus Christ returns to make it so. We need to accept the fact that we are powerless to do His job. This does not mean that we should turn a blind eye to the world's problems. When we focus on our own recover, fixing ourselves instead of everyone else, we will be more effective in helping others.
I know you are trained to fix stuff like this, but you need to make sure you are doing what you need to do to fix things in your life. I am still willing to help you if you will find a house we can share together walking distance to Waikiki Beach. If you keep doing what you're doing, your going to keep getting what you're getting. Maybe it is time for a change. Read the first 8 verses of chapter 3 and that might testify what I am suggesting.
God bless you and your family.
Your brother and friend in Christ,
Bob Erb @ http://www.liferecoveryministry.org/wst_page3.php and check out item 19 and let me know how to modify "Amen-ism"
19.
Aloha, What are you DOING today, don't worry about tomorrow - Matthew 6:25-34 -- 09-23-05
Dear Sister Benny and Everyone I Know,
Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for sharing a part of your life. Thank you for your words of encouragement. Thank you for sharing the Word of God.
Ad I started reviewing Matthew 6, I fell impelled to share what God seems to be showing me. Maybe you might be able to add something in your preaching this Sunday about what is being written.
Matthew 6:25-34 (New Living Translation)
(25) "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? (26) Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. (27) Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. (28) "And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, (29) yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. (30) And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! (31) "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. (32) Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, (33) and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
(34) "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
Thank goodness that God has put men and women on this earth in churches like the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry that will provide this stuff, so those who don't have them at that moment might be able to focus on something far greater, like the spiritual life with God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
It is easy to slip back into worrying about tomorrow, dwelling on the "what ifs" and the "if onlys." Each day brings a host of things we cannot change; there will always be circumstances beyond our control. We must also face the reality of who we are - human beings confined within the slice of life we call today. It is tempting to deny the present,but escaping reality is part of the insanity of our addictive way of life.
In addition to what Jesus said in these verses, the prophet Jeremiah said, "The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day" (Lamination's 3:22-23). Since God's grace comes in daily doses, that's the best way to face life.
We need to ask ourselves at every turn in life. Am I accepting this present moment, or am I pretending - trying to escape into the past or the future? Each day there is something to find joy in, and there is straight promised for the troubles of the day. The psalmist wrote, "This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). We, too, can choose to find joy, strength, and sanity when we accept each day's realities.
God bless you and your family.
Your brother in Christ, Bob Erb @ http://www.liferecoveryministry.org/wst_page3.php check out items 18 and 19 and others each day as letters are added. Also check out the NEW stuff on the bottom of http://www.waikikibeachoutreach.com/wst_page4.html
Blessing Bob.
18.
Aloha, Battling evil called the crocodile Job 41 -- 09-23-05Dear Merlyn and Everyone I Know,
Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for sharing the mighty pictures of the giant crocodile found in New Orleans. Thank you for asking what it might symbolize.
As I opened the Bible, I was trapped in the book of Job 41 where the crocodile is described by God. Some see it representing evil, and I guess, as I recall from my experience being there many years ago, there is a lot of it trapped in the minds of those living there. Does this respond to your concern? What do you get out of it? Does it touch your soul?
Job 41 (New Living Translation)
The LORDs Challenge Continues
(1) "Can you catch a crocodile with a hook or put a noose around its jaw? (2) Can you tie it with a rope through the nose or pierce its jaw with a spike? (3) Will it beg you for mercy or implore you for pity? (4) Will it agree to work for you? Can you make it be your slave for life? (5) Can you make it a pet like a bird, or give it to your little girls to play with? (6) Will merchants try to buy it? Will they sell it in their shops? (7) Will its hide be hurt by darts, or its head by a harpoon? (8) If you lay a hand on it, you will never forget the battle that follows, and you will never try it again! (9) "No, it is useless to try to capture it. The hunter who attempts it will be thrown down. (10) And since no one dares to disturb the crocodile, who would dare to stand up to me? (11) Who will confront me and remain safe? Everything under heaven is mine. (12) "I want to emphasize the tremendous strength in the crocodile's limbs and throughout its enormous frame. (13) Who can strip off its hide, and who can penetrate its double layer of armor? (14) Who could pry open its jaws? For its teeth are terrible! (15) The overlapping scales on its back make a shield. (16) They are close together so no air can get between them. (17) They lock together so nothing can penetrate them. (18) "When it sneezes, it flashes light! Its eyes are like the red of dawn. (19) Fire and sparks leap from its mouth. (20) Smoke streams from its nostrils like steam from a boiling pot on a fire of dry rushes. (21) Yes, its breath would kindle coals, for flames shoot from its mouth. (22) "The tremendous strength in its neck strikes terror wherever it goes. (23) Its flesh is hard and firm, not soft and fat. (24) Its heart is as hard as rock, as hard as a millstone. (25) When it rises, the mighty are afraid, gripped by terror. (26) No sword can stop it, nor spear nor dart nor pointed shaft. (27) To the crocodile, iron is nothing but straw, and bronze is rotten wood. (28) Arrows cannot make it flee. Stones shot from a sling are as ineffective as straw. (29) Clubs do no good, and it laughs at the swish of the javelins. (30) Its belly is covered with scales as sharp as glass. They tear up the ground as it drags through the mud. (31) "The crocodile makes the water boil with its commotion. It churns the depths. (32) The water glistens in its wake. One would think the sea had turned white. (33) There is nothing else so fearless anywhere on earth. (34) Of all the creatures, it is the proudest. It is the king of beasts."
God used the majesty and power of His creation to remind Job that God is the only one who can save. If Job could not even overpower created beings such as the crocodile, how could Job save himself from the God who created the crocodile? Everything under heaven belongs to God, including Job. God never did give Job an explanation for his suffering; God only let Job know that He was ultimately in control. We may be suffering unfairly because of an abusive family member or because of codependency with an addict. We may never know why we have to go through the pain, but we need to realize that God is in control of our life. Our faith in Him will be rewarded if not in this life, then in the next.
Concerning Leviathan.
The word Leviathan is used in the Kings James Version several places in the Bible which means the following in the dictionary as shown on the web site www.biblehelpsonline.com/ebd/T0002200.htm :
a transliterated Hebrew word (livyathan), meaning "twisted," "coiled." In Job 3:8, Revised Version, and marg. of Authorized Version, it denotes the dragon which, according to Eastern tradition, is an enemy of light; in Job 41:1 the crocodile is meant; in Ps. 104:26 it "denotes any large animal that moves by writhing or wriggling the body, the whale, the monsters of the deep." This word is also used figuratively for a cruel enemy, as some think "the Egyptian host, crushed by the divine power, and cast on the shores of the Red Sea" (Ps. 74:14).
Leviathan is a poetic name for a large aquatic creature, defined by many as a crocodile or a whale or a dinosaur. It is a monstrous sea creature symbolizing evil in the Old Testament
The description of the Leviathan, is yet further to convince Job of his own weakness, and of God's almighty power. Whether this Leviathan be a whale or a crocodile, is disputed. The Lord, having showed Job how unable he was to deal with the Leviathan, sets forth his own power in that mighty creature. If such language describes the terrible force of Leviathan, what words can express the power of God's wrath? Under a humbling sense of our own vileness, let us revere the Divine Majesty; take and fill our allotted place, cease from our own wisdom, and give all glory to our gracious God and Savior. Remembering from whom every good gift comes, and for what end it was given, let us walk humbly with the Lord.
God bless you and your family.
Your brother in Christ, Bob Erb @ http://www.liferecoveryministry.org/wst_page3.php and check out item 17 and 18
17. Aloha, Turning worthlessness into a reflection of God - 1 Peter 1:7-9 -- 09-23-05
Dear Benilda and Everyone I Know,
Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for your ecard to me. Thank you for expressing you desire to know more about the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry. Thank you for sharing the Word of God.
I already sent you pictures of my "congregation" who live on the streets and beach of Waikiki. More pictures can be seen on the remaining pages of the web site, especially at the bottom of http://www.waikikibeachoutreach.com/wst_page3.html and http://www.waikikibeachoutreach.com/wst_page2.html. I don't know what else to show you other than suggest that you look at all of the pages and all of the links and you should be able to get an idea how God has me working with my "congregation" that we call our constituents.
As you share the Scriptures, I would like to share them to everyone I know.
1 Peter 1:7-9 (New Living Translation)
(7) These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
(8) You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy. (9) Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. The refiner would heat the gold in the fire in order to separate the worthless and impure dross (worthless materials) from the precious and beautiful gold. The worthless materials would be skimmed off until the refiner could see his image in the liquid gold. God uses the fiery trials and tribulations in our life to purify and beautify our faith so that one day He will see clearly His image in us. This truth offers great comfort to those of us who struggle to make sense of a past marked by suffering. We can be confident that God will separate something priceless from the dross of our experiences.
Turning our will and our life over to God is a critical step in the recovery process. During our most painful trials, we may fail to see God with us. Yet Peter suggests that strange as it may seem at the time, surrendering to God in difficult times can be a joyful experience. If we trust that God will use our trials to further the process of healing in our life, even the tough times can become times of celebration.
God bless you and your family.
Your brother in Christ,
believe in God
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16 Aloha, Love, Joy and Peace Galatians 5:22-24 09-22-05 Dear Esta and Everyone I Know,
Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for your call today. Thank you for expressing your love of God to me.
In the beginning of my recovery, over 30 months ago, God seemed to speak to me as I read these verses then. As I was sharing with you about how God showed me that I needed to focus on love, joy and peace, and dont try to remember the other 6 virtues, yet, His Light will shine and reflect off of me. Whenever I experience something not bringing up love, joy and peace, then the feelings are not from God. I tend to move away from people or situations that do not maintain those virtues, but sometimes He puts me in those situations to help others move away from the negative feelings that does not reflect the Holy Spirit. Then this morning as I began to study the Bible, another email ministry used one of the verses which got me thinking, so I am writing what I am thinking. I pray that Gods Word might touch somebodys life who is reading this, as it did me today, or someone they know needs to be reminded of Gods virtues.
Galatians 5:22-24 (New Living Translation)
(22) But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. (24) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there.
These qualities are produced by the Holy Spirits work in a life submitted to God. Just as a tree bears fruit by means of Gods silent work in nature, we experience these fruits of the Spirit by means of Gods power alone. Our part is to entrust our life to Him. When the Holy Spirit begins to bear these fruits in our life, our dependency loses its power. With joy and peace we overcome the pain of our broken past. With love, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness we restore our relationships and make amends. With patience we persevere through the difficult times. With self-control we stand against our tendency to relapse. Gods Spirit can supply everything necessary for a successful recovery and deal with significant life changing experiences.
Another version uses the following words for verse 23:
(23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Meekness and gentleness are suggested to be similar. Temperance and self-control are suggested to be similar. Meekness is the by-product of a number of elements, not the least of which are deep, thorough humility and an awareness of the seriousness of what our past conduct produced, especially toward Jesus Christ. These things have tamed the beast, broken our self-will, and made our minds receptive to the pure influences of God's Spirit. This is not natural but supernatural, the product of God's grace toward us and His Spirit working and growing in us. It very deeply, sometimes radically, alters our perspective of God, His purpose, the trials of life, the self, and other people. This is very important regarding trials because meekness is the opposite of self-will toward God and of ill-will toward men. The meek are those who quietly submit themselves to God, to his word and to his rod, who follow His directions, and comply with His designs, and are gentle towards all men.
Meekness is the fruit of God by His Spirit working in us. Godly sorrow softens our stiff-necked rebellion and our hearts so that we are made receptive to the workings of the Creator to produce His image in us. Therefore meekness, along with the qualities already mentioned, also includes our becoming pliable, malleable, submissive, and teachable. A New Testament term for this condition might be "childlike."
God disciplines every son He loves, and sometimes His disciplines are very difficult to bear. We have passionate drives within us to flee from them, or at the very least, to grumble and murmur under their burden. But the meek will not do this. They will endure the privation, embarrassment, pain, loss, ignorance, or persecution with quiet patience because they know that God is sovereign over all and He is working in their lives.
To take heed of indulging a sinful temper. The gospel is a doctrine according to godliness, and is so far from giving the least countenance to sin, that it lays us under the strongest obligation to avoid and subdue it. The apostle urges that all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, We shall love our neighbors as ourselves. If Christians, who should help one another, and rejoice one another, quarrel, what can be expected but that the God of love should deny His grace, that the Spirit of love should depart, and the evil spirit, who seeks their destruction, should prevail? Happy would it be, if Christians, instead of biting and devouring one another on account of different opinions, would set themselves against sin in themselves, and in the places where they live. And to walk in the Spirit, and not to fulfill the lusts of the flesh: the works of both are described.
If it be our care to act under the guidance and power of the blessed Spirit, though we may not be freed from the stirrings and oppositions of the corrupt nature which remains in us, it shall not have dominion over us. Believers are engaged in a conflict, in which we earnestly desire that grace may obtain full and speedy victory. And those of us who desire to give ourselves up to be led by the Holy Spirit, are not under the law as a covenant of works, nor exposed to its awful curse.
Our hatred of sin, and desires after holiness, show that we have a part in the salvation of the gospel. The works of the flesh are many and manifest. And these sins will shut us out of heaven. Yet what numbers, calling themselves Christians, live in these, and say they hope for heaven! The fruits of the Spirit, or of the renewed nature, which we are to do, are named. And as the apostle had chiefly named works of the flesh, not only hurtful to men themselves, but tending to make them so to one another, so here he chiefly notices the fruits of the Spirit, which tend to make Christians agreeable one to another, as well as to make them happy. The fruits of the Spirit plainly show, that such are led by the Spirit. By describing the works of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit, we are told what to avoid and oppose, and what we are to cherish and cultivate; and this is the sincere care and endeavor of all real Christians, disciples of Christ. Sin does not now reign in our mortal bodies, so that we obey it, for we seek to destroy it. Christ never will own those who yield themselves up to be the servants of sin. And it is not enough that we cease to do evil, but we must learn to do well. Our conversation will always be answerable to the principle which guides and governs us. We must set ourselves in earnest to mortify the deeds of the body, and to walk in newness of life. Not being desirous of vain-glory, or unduly wishing for the esteem and applause of men, not provoking or envying one another, but seeking to bring forth more abundantly those good fruits, which are, through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God.
God bless you and your family.
Your brother in Christ, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
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