Daily Devotional; formerly Chaplains Corner

[jack404]

gotta go with that eh ,, but not as easy as it sounds my head gets in the way often ..

cheers Terry

[ampaterry]

This coming week, February 4th, is Mawlid An-Nabi a holiday in the Muslim world. The name is Arabic for “Birth of the Prophet”, it is the day the Islamics celebrate Muhammad's birthday. Due to the fact that the Arab calendar only has 354 days, this holiday moves 11 days earlier each year, and 12 days earlier in leap years, so it can fall on any day of any month in our calendar.

Can you imagine celebrating Christmas in August? Or Easter in the late fall? How about having a picnic to watch the Independence Day fireworks in February?

But I digress. I started including Muslim holidays in these devotionals, because as Christians we need to know something about other faiths so we can deal with the people we meet who are in them.

For this holiday, suffice it to say that Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (his full name) was indeed born, but we are not even certain of the year, let alone the month or day; it was either 570 or 571 AD. He was born in Mecca, which is now in Saudi Arabia.

For scripture today, I chose these words of Christ:
Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV);
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

I only ask that you examine the fruit of Islam, and then, based upon that examination, treat it in the way that Jesus instructed us to.

May God richly bless each one of you -

[jack404]

hear hear !!

Cheers Terry

[BlackEagle]

Their fruits are pretty grisley. The PC brigade needs to be confronted with the human rights issues in Muslim counties...how women are treated, lack of religious freedom, treatment of criminals and the entire justice system, capital punishment, the list goes on. Yet the PC brigade continue to try to promote Islamism in the western world. http://www.christianconcern.com/our-...-avoid-offence is one example. I am shocked at one of the groups involved in removing "Father" and "Son" from their translations of Scripture.

[ampaterry]

Thank you for the support, guys!
Blackeagle that is HORRID! I have bought several publications from Wycliffe - but I will never purchase another!

Today is another recognized day.

Today is National Freedom day. On this day in 1865, president Abraham Lincoln signed a resolution which had passed both houses of congress proposing the 13th amendment to our constitution. That proposal, which was ratified by the necessary number of states by December 6th of that year, reads:

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Thus Slavery was ended in the United States of America, by rule of law, 147 years ago.
I hear a lot of complaining among workers today. They call themselves “Wage Slaves”, speak of their boss as a “slave driver”, and in other ways attempt to convince someone that they have such a poor lot in life.
Hey, I don't care what your working conditions are like, nor how mean your boss is, nor how hard your job is; it is nothing like slavery.
Why?
Because you can quit! You are completely free, at any time, to stand up and walk out of your place of employment.

Slaves could not do that.
If they attempted to leave, they would be captured and returned to their master because they were property, not human beings. They were owned by someone else, who held complete control over their entire lives, and could literally do anything they chose with them. If someone today treated an animal as badly as some slaves were treated, they would be arrested.
Lincoln said:
“Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally. ”

I echo his feelings every time I hear someone try to defend this horrible and shameful era of our history.

May God bless each one of you, guys -

[Marlin]

A - M E N !!!!

[ampaterry]

I just read that the states which administer the death penalty by using lethal injection are having a hard time accomplishing that because the FDA has gotten involved with one of the drugs which they use in the process, and is interfering with it's manufacture and importation. It would seem one of these lethal injection drugs is insafe.

And there is a thing going around on the internet which 'proves' the Cash for Clunkers program was a huge failure. I guess no one noticed that it is based on the premise that these new cars will be driven 12,000 miles only, and then scrapped. An odd assumption, when the studies show the average car in the US is driven 140,000 miles, or 12 times that amount.

There was a news item a while ago about home schooling. It appears the government may make some ruling about the legality of including religious material in those situations.

The Catholic church, as well as ALL religious organizations, is being forced by Obamacare to finance birth control and abortions for their employees at ZERO cost.

Today is Groundhog Day. In light of what is going around right now, perhaps listening to a groundhog would be one of our smarter decisions. These are, after all, creatures made by God, and they have not been affected by the news, rumors, or political correctness.

But the smartest thing we can do is turn for wisdom to the one who designed and created this planet and every thing on it.

Isaiah 44:24-25 (KJV);
Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

If we follow that passage, we will become wiser people.
Of course, a lot of people would then be out of a job - -

May God richly bless each one of you -

[BlackEagle]

Thanks for the great reminder, Terry;
Sometimes animals have more common sense than people. A lot of the policy makers have been educated far beyond their intelligence.

[pipeman525]

Sorry I'm a little behind Terry but that Lincoln quote is great. I would be willing to bet it is no longer taught in public schools.

[ampaterry]

BlackEagle, I agree!!

Pipeman, I will NOT bet against you on that -

[ampaterry]

Yesterday was the feast day of the Presentation of the Lord, an ancient feast day based upon this passage:
Luke 2:21-24 (KJV);
“And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
“And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

For the rest of this amazing story which includes two miraculous revelations, read on down through verse 40.

In verse 32, Simeon, in his revelation, speaks of Jesus being “A light to lighten the Gentiles”. A tradition developed from this in which passages from this section were sung by candlelight in a darkened church, and from that this day was originally called 'Candle-mas”, and still is in many European countries.

Although most protestants do not celebrate this day, it is a very important event in Christian history, and should be familiar to all believers, regardless of what name is above the door of their church.

One reason for this importance is the fact that Mary remained a Virgin, so actually had no need for the ritual of purification which women who had given birth were directed to go through. Yet, she subjected herself to the law.

Another reason is to recognize that Jesus was subject to the Law; his parents had to take him to the temple and 'buy him back' from the Lord; the first born child belonged to God, and had to be bought back by a sacrifice as specified above. Since Jesus IS God, no such requirement bound him.

If Mary, Joseph, and Jesus Christ all scrupulously followed the words of God, can we as Christians do less? Although the law of sacrifices has been filled, we have the teachings of Christ which we must constantly strive to follow.

May God bless each and every one of you with the strength and knowledge to do what is right -

[ampaterry]

Tomorrow, in the Eastern Orthodox churches, they celebrate the feast of Triodon. This falls 70 days before Easter.
What is the significance of this day?
I have no idea!
ALL of my resources, my vast library and my internet searches have come up with only four things related to “Triodon”.

1. It is a kind of plant.
2. It is a species of puffer fish.
3. It is a book containing various scriptures which is used in the Orthodox church.
4. It is a feast that falls 70 days before Easter.
That's it – nothing more.
All of the Orthodox calendars mark this day, but no where is it explained.

This does not come as a huge shock to me. Here in the United States, for instance, we celebrate Christmas each year, and anyone going through the stores and malls would not get the impression that Christmas had anything to do with the birth of Christ, but would come away convinced it was a day dedicated to Santa Claus. And Easter is a day that has something to do with an egg laying rabbit.

Let us not allow this to continue, folks. Let us examine the MEANING behind our holidays (Holy Days), and do NOT let them become what Triodon has become; a day to feast, and no knowledge of why. Let us avoid the mere appearance of Christian life, but let us live it from our hearts.

Luke 20:46-47 (KJV);
Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

May God bless each one of you, guys -

And have a safe and happy Triodon - whatever it is.

[jack404]

The Triodon is the Orthodox Church liturgical book that contains the variable portions of the Liturgy and other services for a particular period of the Orthodox ecclesiastical calendar. It begins on the fourth Sunday before the Great Lent, the Sunday of the Prodigal, and ends on Saturday of the Holy Week. Triodion is also called the period between the Sunday of the Prodigal and Holy Pascha. The name derives from the fact that during the season the Canons contain only three odes instead of the usual nine. The canon is a series of nine hymns, ‘odes’ used at the Orthros (Matins). The nine odes vary so as to correspond with the theme of the particular feast.

the reason for the three odes only during this time is to remember the events of the first Saricen invasion ( a few hundred years later the Christian responce to this attack would be called the first Crusade) and the name is derived from three only hence TRI ..

[ampaterry]

Thank you, Jack!

[jack404]

no worries , another influence upon our Faith as a result of islam , and theres been a few especially in the orthodox Church who, let's face it, has stood up to islam longer than anyone and still do so today ( but the UN is hammering the daylights outta them and handing over land and people with gay abandon to the jihadi's)

[ampaterry]

Today is Septuagesima Sunday. This day is noted on some Catholic liturgical calendars, and marks the third Sunday before the start of Lent, or the ninth Sunday before Easter. Traditionally, this Sunday marks the beginning of preparations for Lent. Septuagesima and the following two Sundays (Sexagesima and Quinquagesima) were celebrated by name in the traditional Roman Catholic liturgical calendar, which is still used for the traditional Latin Mass. The three Sundays were removed from the revised liturgical calendar in 1969. The early church began fasting for Lent tomorrow, the day after Septuagesima.

While the Catholic church at large does not recognize this day, and we protestants do not either to the best of my knowledge, there is something to be said for Fasting.
Your body is an incredible piece of design. Your brain directs ALL bodily functions, most without even your knowledge; it knows what is needed, and does it. When you eat, the brain directs your body into the task of digestion, which takes up a lot of your resources. This is part of the reason why you feel like laying down and taking a nap after a large meal; your body's energy is being used in the digestive process.
When you meditate, you need your body's attention focused on your thoughts, and if your resources are being allocated elsewhere, you do not concentrate as well.
When you fast, all of those resources used in digestion are available to be used by the brain instead, and your meditation time is much more concentrated and productive; you can think more clearly, you are less drowsy, and more complex thought becomes easier to grasp.

Jesus Christ, the one we are to pattern ourselves after, fasted:
Matthew 4:1-2 (KJV); Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

Jesus was then tempted by the devil, and overcame each temptation put before him. For the full account, read on down through verse 11.

Note, please, that I am NOT advocating anyone attempt to go on a fast anywhere near this long. I suggest a fast for a day or two, or possibly even more if there is a particular issue that you are seeking guidance in, but NO ONE other than the Son of God should set out on a forty day fast. I also advise for health reasons that you drink plenty of water during a fast to prevent the problems that come with dehydration.

May God bless each and every one of you -

[ampaterry]

Have you ever watched someone haggle over the purchase of a used car? In many cases, the buyer wants the BEST car on the lot, and wants to purchase it for the lowest price. He is concerned only with his own interests, and cares nothing for the business he is dealing with.

On the other side of this bargaining is the lot owner. He wants to unload the worst turkey on his lot because it is the hardest one to sell, and he wants to get the most money possible out of it. He, too, is concerned with only his own interests, and cares nothing for the person he is going to dump this wreck on.

That is what we deal with every day, to a greater or lesser degree. Many people are completely motivated by their own self interest, and almost everybody is out for number one.

Now let's look at man's dealings with God.

Man wants what he wants, not what is best for him. He desires pleasure that destroys his health, and he desires wealth so much that it destroys his charity. He is consumed by self interest.

On the other side of this bargaining is God. He wants what is best for man. He is unable to give it as often as He desires to, though, because man does not desire it. God is motivated by love to each of us.

The Word of God tells us about the differences between God’s desires for us and our desires for ourselves:
Proverbs 21:10 (KJV);
"The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes."

Mark 4:19 (KJV);
"And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful."

Ephesians 2:3 (KJV);
"Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."

May God be with each one of us, and help us to have a little more concern for those we are dealing with.
And may He give us wisdom in what we desire for ourselves.

[jack404]

Amen

[BlackEagle]

It's been a good many years since I went on a fast. One of the things we did at a camp I was at was a three-day fast, with just our Bibles and notebooks, sleeping bags and three matches for a campfire. Camp staff checked on us daily, and it was good for us. I continued one-day fasts once a month or so through my college days and left off after then. I can still do it...fasting taught me that my body is to serve me, not me serve my body, and stopping to eat is not always a necessary part of life. However I find now I need to eat from time to time to keep functioning.

Today's thought reminds me of Psalm 37:4: Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
As I focus on God and His ways of doing things, saturate myself in His word, He turns my desires into the desires He wants me to have. He gives new desires for my heart to have, and because they are in line with God's desires for me, He is glad to give me what I want. The Hebrew word for Delight can also be translated delicate. Think of the best food you ever tasted, a delicacy. You savour the delicate flavor of each morsel. That's about what this means. Savour each truth in God's word, chew it up thoroughly, enjoying the "taste". Another idea this word for delight implies is to become pliable, I guess like warming wax. We become pliable to God's truths, bending ourselves to His words. Then He can give us what we desire, because it's what He desires for us.

[ampaterry]

Thanks, guys, for the support -
Good thoughts, BlackEagle -

For today:

The YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) has had a legal name change. Did they eliminate “Men” so the name would reflect the fact that women are now members as well? Well, yes they did, but they also eliminate the Christian part too. Now, they are just the “Y”, with no more reference to “Christian” in their legal name.

Yesterday, in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated by William D. Boyce, a Chicago publisher who was so impressed by Baden-Powell’s work in England that he wanted to create an American counterpart.
Today, there are over three million members of the Boy Scouts. As of this morning, they have maintained their original Scout Oath and Law:

Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Scout Law
A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent.

In a time when all things mentioning God or Reverence are under attack, it is very good to see that SOME groups have managed to ignore political correctness and unashamedly take an oath and follow a law that uses those terms.

My late Brother In Law, Gene, was a life-time scout, reaching Eagle while a young man. He kept both the Oath and the Law through his entire lifetime, and I am proud to call him my friend.
Gene exhibited the fruits of the Spirit throughout his life:

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV);
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance . . . .

I am sure you noticed the similarity between that passage and the Oath and Law of the scouts. Coincidence? I don't think so!

May God richly bless each and every one of you -

[BlackEagle]

God grant that we be fruitful Christians.

[ampaterry]

Amen, BlackEagle!

Today is the Jewish holiday of Tu B'Shevat, which is Hebrew for the fifteenth day of the month of Shevat.

In the old testament, a tithe is required of all increase; this means people did not simply pay a tenth of the money they earned, but also paid a tenth part of produce from their orchards, farms and flocks. The tithing system set up by the Jewish people required a specific date to divide last years tithe from the next years tithe. Today, the fifteenth of Shevat, is the New Year for the Trees. Fruit tithed prior to today was part of last years tithe, while fruit tithed today and afterward is part of next years.

This is the first of the four Rosh Hashanah's which the Jewish people recognize. They recognize the Biblical new tear, the civil new year, the new year for cattle, and today, the new year for trees.

We in the West have grown far and distant from our biological roots. There are people who honestly do not understand the relationship between weather and the availability of food in our country. Every day, I hear people complaining about the rain, the snow, the cold or the heat, seemingly unaware that all are required for the production of the various kinds of foods which we grow in this country. If everything is not exactly as it should be, the harvest will suffer.

It would be good for us in this country to stop and reflect at times like this upon the complete plan that God has put in place for the inter-dependence of all living things upon our planet. While many understand that ‘no man is an Island’, and ‘each man’s grief is grief to me’, there are far fewer that understand that the grief of any living thing on our planet has an eventual consequence to us.

Genesis 1:28 (KJV):
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

I ask for God to bless each one of you - -

[Juker]

Amen, Terry. Excellent (and beautiful) point.

[ampaterry]

Thank you, Juker!

For today -

Sir Francis Drake, caught in a dangerous storm in the Thames, was heard to say, "Must I who have escaped the rage of the ocean be drowned in a ditch?!"

In one of my favorite movies, 'Patton', George C. Scott is playing the part of the great general. At the close of the movie, the war has ended and Patton is still in a small European town walking down the street with General Bradley, played by Carl Malden. Suddenly, a heavily loaded ox-cart breaks through the wheel block holding it in place and rockets down the steep street towards them. Bradley saw the cart coming, and jerked Patton out of the way of the cart. As the cart rocketed past the pair, Patton recovered his balance and then started laughing. "Can you imagine," he laughed, "After everything I have been through, getting killed by an Ox Cart?"

What have you been through, Brother? What perils have you escaped from, Sister? Not everyone has been in a combat situation in the service, and not everyone has taken long ocean voyages, but we have all been exposed to grave dangers. How many times have you been in an airplane, supported from death by only the rushing of air under the wings? How often have you been in a vehicle traveling down the road at 70 mph while folks traveling at 70 mph the other way hurtle past only inches from you? You have brushes with death every day!
What a horror to have lived in such danger; to have escaped the loss of our physical lives every day, and yet loose our eternal life for nothing but the failure to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior!

The Word of God tells us:
Hosea 6:3 (KJV);
"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."

1 Peter 5:10 (KJV);
"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

Your survival thus far is absolutely NOT 'good luck'.
You survive every day because God has a plan for you and for your life.
Go to Him.
Accept Him.
Discover what he has in store for you!

[jack404]

Spot On Terry

every day there's a reason