Another year to live for the LORD and Glorify His Holy Name!

-Charles Schulz

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Partiality, Preferential Treatment, and Distinctions

Sharing Today's Alistair Begg Devotional--------with my own emphasis in colors:

Show No Partiality

"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory."

James 2:1

A living faith is not only a listening faith but also a doing faith. True belief manifests itself in action—and, in some cases, in inaction. In other words, true faith is known not only by what it does but also by what it doesn’t do—for example, as James points out, by not showing partiality.

Partiality—the sin of treating people differently due to their outward appearance, status, or usefulness—was a clear and present danger in James’ day, and it remains so in our own. James was not condemning all acknowledgment of distinctions, or even preferential treatment for legitimate reasons. A young man who gives up his bus seat for an elderly woman is not running foul of James’ teaching! Rather, what James was making absolutely clear is this: external characteristics, and especially those that indicate wealth, in and of themselves do not mean that someone deserves honor.

This is the point of the illustration in James 2: if two men enter our gathering, one in fine clothing and the other in shabby, and the wealthy man gets the place of honor while the poor man gets shoved aside, then we are guilty of the sin of partiality. To give such preferential treatment to the wealthy would be to make “distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts” (v 4). God does not judge us by such distinctions, and so neither should we judge others in this way.

In His life and ministry, Jesus displayed how impartiality ought to look. He was willing to allow a woman of ill repute to weep over Him and for her tears to wash His feet (Luke 7:36-50). And He was just as prepared to call a rich man down from a tree to take Him to his house (19:1-10). Why? Because He knew that great wealth and worldly honor do not and cannot make someone more valuable in God’s eyes. He was well-acquainted with both the richest of riches and the lowest circumstances imaginable. In descending from heaven, exchanging honor for humility, Jesus set aside the glory which was His due in order to draw near to and save sinners like us—rich and poor alike.

When we grasp the wonder of this reality, we begin to see the true ugliness of judging others on the basis of the external and superficial. Partiality should have no place among the people of God because if we know God at all, it is because He dealt with us impartially. Be honest with yourself, then, and ask the Lord for the grace to see others in the way He does and to show others the mercy and grace He has shown you.

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---Thank you, Pastor Begg

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Virtue is not a Behavior

-Yellowstone FB

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"A virtuous person loves the right and the good. 

Virtue is not behavior, though it nearly always results in behavior. 

Actions are the outworking of a person’s virtue, which is cultivated into his or her character. 

Under this Christian ethical system, any given choice is a function of virtue."

-Battle For the American Mind, by Pete Hegseth with David Goodwin, pg.165

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Troubled Waters

-A. Begg

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Psalm 3:1-5

"O Lord, how my adversaries have increased!


Many are rising up against me.

Many are saying of my soul,


“There is no deliverance for him in God.” 

But You, O Lord, 

are a shield about me,


My glory, 

and the One who lifts my head.

I was crying to the Lord 

with my voice,


And He answered me 

from His holy mountain.

I lay down and slept;


I awoke, for the Lord sustains me."...

Isaiah 25:4-5

..."For You have been a defense for the helpless,

A defense for the needy in his distress,

A refuge from the storm, 

a shade from the heat;

For the breath of the ruthless

Is like a rain storm against a wall.

Like heat in drought, 

You subdue the uproar of aliens;

Like heat by the shadow of a cloud, 

the song of the ruthless is silenced."...

Matthew 5:11-12

Blessed are you when people insult you 

and persecute you, 

and falsely say all kinds of evil 

against you because of Me.

Rejoice and be glad, 

for your reward in heaven is great; 

for in the same way they persecuted 

Matthew 5:43-45

...“You have heard that it was said, 

‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 

But I say to you,

love your enemies and pray 

for those who persecute you, 

so that you may be sons 

of your Father who is in heaven; 

for He causes His sun to rise 

on the evil and the good, 

and sends rain on the righteous 

and the unrighteous."...

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The Lord is Honored by our Self-Sacrifice

-Iowa Back Road

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"When you see corruption 

being rewarded 

and honesty 

becoming a self-sacrifice, 

you may know

that your society is 

doomed."

-Ayn Rand

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"Cool!" for the Hot person!

-PLUGGERS

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When our prayers seem unanswered...

"Someday 

we will understand 

that God has a reason

 

behind every

"no" 

He gives us

 

through the course

 

of our lives. "

-unknown

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If God says no to our prayer, dear heart,

And the clouds hang heavy and dull and gray;

If the rough rocks hinder and block the way,

While the sharp winds pierce us and sting with cold;

Yet, dear, there is home at the journey's end,

And these are the trials the Father does send,

To draw us as sheep to His Heavenly fold,

If God says no to our prayer, dear heart.

-unknown

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Very Thoughtful Wise Words

-Iowa meme

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"Every heart has it's secret sorrows, 

which the world knows not,

and oftentimes we call a man cold,

when he is only sad."

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

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The Joys of Sewing!

-Internet meme 

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Season of Praise and Thankfulness

-Josh Atkinson, Marietta, Ohio

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"A Season 

not only 

of 

Rejoicing, 

but

 Reflection."

-Winston Churchill

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Wisdom from Winston

 -internet

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"WE MAKE A LIVING

BY WHAT WE GET,

WE MAKE A LIFE

  BY WHAT WE GIVE."

-Winston Churchill

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"The Expanse of the Heavens"

 -Alistair Begg

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Genesis 1:1,16-18

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...

God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also.

God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good."...

Psalms 8:3

..."When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;"...

Psalms 19:1

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands."...

Psalms 33:6

..."By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,

And by the breath of His mouth all their host."...

Psalms 147:4

..."He counts the number of the stars;

He gives names to all of them."...

Isaiah 40:26

..."Lift up your eyes on high

And see who has created these stars,

The One who leads forth their host by number,

He calls them all by name;

Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power,

Not one of them is missing."...

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Safely Held by Jesus :o)

- Fashiondeja.com

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2 Thessalonians 3:3

..."the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."...

Psalms 91:1-4

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

My God, in whom I trust!”

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper

And from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions,

And under His wings you may seek refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark."...

Psalm 55:22

..."Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you;

He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."...

Psalm 62:1-2

"My soul waits in silence for God only;

From Him is my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation,

My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken."...

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'Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus

 -Josh Atkinson, Marietta, Ohio

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'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus

Just to take Him at His Word

Just to rest upon His promise

Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord"

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more

Lord oh, for grace to trust You more

-Louisa Stead

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Trust and Obey

-Yellowstone FB

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When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still

And with all who will trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies

But His smile quickly drives it away

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear

Can abide while we trust and obey

Oh, Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet

Or we'll walk by His side in the way

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go

Never fear, only trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

Oh, Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey

-John Sammis

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Do not trust worry, but do Trust Jesus

-internet meme

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 Isaiah 41:10

..." ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ "...

Matthew 6:25-34

...“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. 

Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not worth much more than they?

And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

And why are you worried about clothing? 

Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? 

You of little faith!

Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’

For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."...

Philippians 4:4-7

..."Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. 

The Lord is near.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."...

1 Peter 5:6-11

..."Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. 

Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen."...

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A PLUGGER's Christmas

-PLUGGERS

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It's a Cold Wind Blowing....

-Simon's Cat

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Time for some Hot Tea!

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We all need refueling...in His Word, on our minds, and on our tongues

F-4 Phantom ready to refuel

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Matthew 11:28-30

...“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

1 Corinthians 15:56-58

..."The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

..."Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."...

Deuteronmy 31:8

..."The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”...

Psalms 121:1-2

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth."...

Isaiah 41:10

..." 'Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ "...

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Who knows Your name?

-meme

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As an analogy for how the LORD God treats those who choose to trust Him as our God and Savior:

Isaiah 43:1

"But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, 

O Jacob [Israel],

And He who formed you, O Israel,

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name; you are Mine!"...

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Isaiah 45:3b-7

..."So that you may know that it is I, 

The Lord, the God of Israel, 

who calls you by your name.

“For the sake of Jacob My servant,

And Israel My chosen one,

I have also called you by your name;

I have given you a title of honor

Though you have not known Me.

“I am the Lord, and there is no other;

Besides Me there is no God.

I will gird you, though you have not known Me;

That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun


That there is no one besides Me.


I am the Lord, and there is no other,

The One forming light and creating darkness,


Causing well-being and creating calamity;


I am the Lord who does all these."...

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Because David has the same feeling 

concerning the LORD as we can have:

Psalm 139

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.

You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, You know it all.

You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.

 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.

 

If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”

Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.

 

My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.

 

O that You would slay the wicked, O God;
Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed.

For they speak against You wickedly,
And Your enemies take Your name in vain.

 

Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

I hate them with the utmost hatred;
They have become my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

 

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

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