Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Christ The Son Of God

Christ The Son Of God 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

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St. Paul opens his Epistle to the Romans by stating that the Lord Jesus Christ was “declared to be the Son of God with power,” or “powerfully declared to be the Son of God… by the resurrection from the dead” (1:4).

In Psa. 2:7, we have Christ, in prophecy, saying:

“I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee.”

Our Lord was, of course, eternally one with the Father, but the word “begotten” here comes from Israel’s laws, referring to the time when the child was officially declared to be the father’s full-grown son.

But what day was He referring to? On what day did the Father officially proclaim:

“This day have I begotten Thee”?

The answer is found in Acts 13:33, where the Apostle states that God “raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second Psalm: Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee.”

So our Lord was officially — and powerfully — declared to be the Son of God at His resurrection from the dead. But what did Paul mean in II Tim. 2:7,8, where he said:

“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL.”

The answer is that the twelve had proclaimed Christ as the Son of David, to sit on David’s throne. Theirs was “the gospel of the kingdom.” But when the King and His kingdom were rejected, God raised up another apostle, Paul, to proclaim “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

Christ was, indeed, raised from the dead to sit on David’s throne, and this will yet come to pass, but Paul has a message for us, here and now: that Christ was raised from the dead to certify our justification and to become the Head of “the Church which is His Body.”

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To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

                             Comments turned off while I am on blog vacation. Have a blessed day.

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ The Spirit of Holiness

The Spirit of Holiness 

by Pastor Ricky Kurth

Berean Bible Society

Printer Friendly Version

“… Jesus Christ… was… declared to be the Son of God… according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:3,4).

What does it mean that the Lord’s resurrection declared Him to be the Son of God according to the spirit of holiness? Well, have you ever heard it said that there is a difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law? When you drive 66 m.p.h. in a 65 m.p.h. zone, you are breaking the letter of the law, but you are not breaking the spirit of the law. The spirit of the law is for you to drive safely and responsibly. This is why most police officers will not ticket you for going one mile per hour over the speed limit.

The letter of the law of holiness is expressed well in Proverbs17:15:

“He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.”

But isn’t that what God did at the Cross, when He condemned “that Just One” (Acts 22:14) and justified wicked sinners such as ourselves? In so doing, He surely broke the letter of the law of holiness.

Or did He? For those who would argue that God was not acting in accord with the law of holiness, we would reply that when God the Father took your sins and placed them on the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary, He justly condemned the One who was made wicked (II Cor. 5:21). Then when you believed the gospel, God took His righteousness and put it on you, enabling Him to justify the ones who were made the very righteousness of God in Christ (II Cor.5:21). The resurrection of Christ then proved that this was also done in perfect accord with the spirit of holiness, for Christ’s sacrifice surely satisfied the just demands of God’s righteousness.

If you haven’t yet trusted Christ as your Savior, however, God has not yet given you the righteousness that is available only in Christ. Speaking of the Lord Jesus, the Apostle Paul says,

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7).

The forgiveness of sins purchased by Christ’s blood is only available in Him. If you are not in Christ, you are still “in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

---

To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Comments turned off while I am on blog vacation.Have a blessed day.

Taking A Break

I'm taking a break for a couple of weeks ... or so.

Just need some down time, let the 'ol wrists and hands relax. 

Let my mind wander, ponder, ruminate.

Maybe my soul will heal from losing Lucy and Maxie. It's been nearly a year, you know, since I lost my little angel puppy. My little buddy. I'm beginning to think the pain will never abate. *sigh*

I will continue to post the Sunday devotional. God's work should never cease, even when we don't feel like going on.

So y'all have a great time.

I'll be dropping in occasionally to leave a comment, or two.

Have a blessed day my friends.

Ride Safe,

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Confessing Christ

Confessing Christ 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

Printer Friendly Version

“…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:9,10).

In these sublime words the Apostle Paul sets forth God’s simple plan of salvation. He calls it, in the preceding verse, “The word of faith, which we preach.”

But often babes in Christ are urged to get to their feet in public testimony on the basis of the words: “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth . . . thou shalt be saved.” Thus new Christians are given to feel that a heart faith is not enough to make them secure; that not until they have risen in public testimony are they saved and safe.

But what, then, does the Apostle mean by these words? Does he not plainly say, “If thou shalt confess… thou shalt be saved?” Yes, but here again, as with so many other passages, a traditional meaning has been superimposed upon the actual words of Scripture. What does the English word “confess” mean? Why, nothing more than to “acknowledge,” to “admit.” And this is exactly what the original Greek word means too, nor does Romans 10:9,10 say anything about confessing before men.

The trouble is that the idea of confession has been changed to profession — even public profession — and multitudes have followed the tradition of the fathers instead of examining the Word to see what it actually says. And so “the Word of faith” has been corrupted.

But does not the Apostle clearly say “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth… thou shalt be saved?” Indeed! And he adds, “and shalt believe in thine heart!” Now let us ask: Is it with that physical organ which pumps blood into our veins that we believe on Christ as our Savior? Oh, no! You say that is merely a figure of speech; somehow the heart is associated with believing. Exactly! Then you would insist that it is with the physical mouth we must confess! Can mutes not be saved then?

As if anticipating the misinterpretation of his words, the Spirit-inspired Apostle adds:

“For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Vers. 11,13).

This is “the Word of Faith, which we preach.”

---

To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Funny Friday ~ If The Democrats Were Defined As Avian

Get Fuzzy

by Darby Conley

Ride Safe,

Long Ago, And Oh So Far Away, I Fell In Love With You

"Yeah, yeah, I promise already.

Can we eat now?"

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother,

and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

- Genesis 2:24

August 11th, 1979, my husband and I gathered together at our apartment complex with friends sans family, and with the aid of a local Notary bribed with the promise of lots of free eats and adult beverages, tied the marital knot.

Cutting the cake.

Hubby had sent me two dozen roses

for the ceremony that night.

"Husbands, love your wives, 

even as Christ also loved the church,

and gave himself for it;"

- Ephesians 5:25

Today, 35 years later, the knot is still tied. Oh, it's a little frayed at the edges from wear but the bond is tighter than ever. Most of our life together has been joyful but we have endured the death of loved ones, sickness, surgeries, crushing disappointments, financial hardships, vehement disagreements, and numerous other man-made road bumps. Some of his family have shown their backsides to me for whatever reason. The next, it was mine being unkind. Still, we've stuck together like glue, and dared to world to try and intervene again. He's such a good man. I've always felt like I was the lucky one in this relationship. That I got the best end of the deal. He always very kindly states it is just the opposite (such a sweet liar ... ha ha).

"If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

- 1 John 1:19

My husband is the one who helped lead me to Christ through the Grace Message to lead the proper kind of life. I was a Christian in name only before that. After showing me Christ's love through his enduring love for me, I changed my way of thinking. I still remember falling to my knees in our first house and proclaiming to God that I will follow Him no matter where he leads me. My life from that point on only got better. God has never let me down.

I know I've said it before but my husband is a fantastic cook! He really could be a professional Chef. I'd much rather eat at home than a restaurant. We started our celebrations at home yesterday. After watching a full afternoon of MotoGP racing in Indianapolis accompanied by beer and chips, we engorged on home cooked thick New York Strip steaks, Ford Hook Limas and boiled Red Potatoes coated with real butter. Tonight should be equally enjoyable.

The celebrations will continue on into this week. Our plans are to board The Boys (Jack and Sam aka The Jack Russell Terrorists) for the first time, then pay a visit to northern South Carolina. A five hour trip one way so it will be an over nighter. I've been chomping at the bit to visit Competition Accessories in Rock Hill. I so want a few new motorcycle gear items and they are the place to get it. I know I could mail order but I don't like buying a helmet or clothes without trying them on. I have the worse luck with that! Especially shoes.

Anyway, back to the original ceremony, there are more photos here of our wedding.

Eli answered, "Go in peace,

and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."

-1 Samuel 1:17

Ride Safe,

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ God's Two Poems

God's Two Poems 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

Printer Friendly Version

In Romans 1:18-20 the Apostle Paul declares that ungodly men are “without excuse” because they are surrounded by the evidences of the Creator’s “eternal power and Godhead.”

Our Authorized Version calls the creation, in this passage, “the things that are made,” but in the Greek it is called literally “the poyeema,” from which we get our word poem. The Apostle refers, of course, to the harmony of God’s creation, and is it not indeed amazing how billions of heavenly bodies can continually revolve in the vastness of space and never collide! And are not the flowers, the seasons, the sunsets all part of a harmonious creation, which God alone could have conceived and set to music?

But very interestingly, this word poyeema is used just once more in Scripture. We find it in Eph. 2:10, where it is translated “workmanship.” Let us consider this passage in its context:

“For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of your- selves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."

For we are His workmanship [Gr., poyeema], created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:8-10).

Romans speaks of the poem of creation, Ephesians of the poem of redemption, and the latter is the more wonderful. An old hymn says: “‘Twas great to speak a world from naught; ’tis greater to redeem.”

In this poem of redemption which God has composed, we believers too often want to change some word or phrase. We would like this or that in our circumstances to be different. Ah, but this would destroy the meter and meaning of God’s new creation.

Thank God, when we believers go to be with Christ, we will see the beauty and glory of the poem of redemption. Then we will rejoice that He did indeed “work all things together for good” for us.

---

To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

God Bless America, A Throwback From 1970

I received this in e-mail a few minutes ago and thought I'd share the inspiration. You'll probably never see this out of Hollyweird again:

Some familiar faces for the 4th!
In 1970, John Wayne hosted a variety show celebrating America's history. Included in the cast were the following (some were uncredited): Ann Margret , Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Dan Blocker, Roscoe Lee Browne, George Burns, Owen Bush, James Caldwell, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Roy Clark, Bing Crosby, Phyllis Diller, Edward Faulkner, Lorne Greene, Harry Hickox, Celeste Holm, Bob Hope, Kay E. Kuter, Michael Landon, Forrest Lewis, Dean Martin, Dick Martin, Ross Martin, Greg Morris, Ricky & David Nelson, Hugh O'Brian, Dan Rowan, William Shatner, Orville Sherman, Red Skelton, Tom Smothers, Leslie Uggams, Jesse Vint, John Wayne, Patrick Wayne, Dennis Weaver, Dan White, Hal Williams, The Doodletown Pipers. The closing piece featured many of the show's guests. Enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203900770857211

Wasn't that fun! I miss all the old time actors so much but I especially miss living in America.

Ride Safe,

Funny Friday ~ Cartoons For The Twisted

Throw Back Thursday: Canon City, Colorado In June 1984 #tbt

In June of 1984 we where still living in Jacksonville, Florida. It was one year before becoming landed property owners in Southeast Georgia. We where both still fit at the respective ages of 28 and 36 but poor of pocket, but we both had gainful employment and hungered for a little adventure that summer. Rather than staying in expensive hotels hubby had the grand idea to rent a Coleman Pop Up Tent Camper. So, with our nice new Sable Brown 98 Oldsmobile, the Pop Up was pulled across country to Cañon City, Colorado, for two weeks of fun and frivolity.

There we stayed at a nice campground called Indian Springs Ranch. It was a working ranch owned by the kindly and generous gentleman Bennie "Pop" Thorson, Sr. He took in strays (as he called it): young men down on their luck and coming dangerously close to being jailed. The Judge would recommend certain fellows that needed guidance and he gave them honorable work with pay and they came out of it real men with direction in their lives.

Since it was a working ranch, we got to see the day-to-day operations involved in running such an enormous place. One "chore" that we city slickers really enjoyed was "punching cows".

This is my husband riding an appaloosa aptly named "Appy". I remember, my horse's moniker was "Little Buddy". For some reason, our horses did not like each other! Every time I'd pull up beside my husband to talk they would nip and bite at each other. Sometimes it would get a little heated. I had to maintain a safe distance from Appy so Little Buddy wouldn't start the argument all over again. In recollections it was quite funny but at the time at bit annoying.

The Ranch has the appearance of old, scrubby Bad Lands but is actually rich in ancient fossil beds. Some dated to at least over 450 million years old. The beds displayed microscopic fish eggs, dinosaurs, and ancient fish. The Royal Gorge is also nearby. We rode the Route Railroad through the passes, drove a few scary narrow canyon roads, visited museums, where entertained by the horde of Broad-tailed Hummingbirds at the campground feeders every evening, and even had an old timey photo taken that reposes on a bedroom wall. It was a wonderfully memorable trip.

On the return we over-nighted at Fort Mountain State Park in Chatsworth, Georgia, near Dalton. By then, we where road weary. But I have only happy memories. I feel so grateful to be married to such an adventurous man. I hope we have many more years to explore our lovely, always fascinatingly diverse United States.

Ride Safe,

We All Love Lucy: Tribute To A Very Good Dog

(as my sprained wrists continue to heal, please excuse the 'cut and paste' memorial I've made for my sweet little lucy girl. thank you everyone for stopping by.)

Lucy

Lucy Was A "Smiler", Always Happy

Photo Taken Aug. 1, 2014

Breed: Boxer
Sire: Max Cason
Dam: Bell Cason
Birth: March 5, 2003, Hoboken, Brantley County, Georgia
Death: August 1, 2014, Waycross, Ware County, Georgia
Burial: FindAGrave Memorial 

It was a wet, stormy Tuesday evening here in southeastern Georgia when we brought Lucy home that April 8th. It rained so hard it was a real frog strangler. The young lady who bred the parents and raised her the first few weeks was very good to the puppies, I could tell. I think she'd been weaned only an hour before we bought her though! She had some wicked sharp teeth. The parent dogs were also well cared for with good personalities, something I was told to look for. Lucy stood out in the crowd of six puppies. I just had to have her. It was love at first sight for all of us. 

Lucy Was A Bottomless Pit

At Meal Time

Hubby gave her the moniker. I wanted to stick the handle "Boots" on her because of her white feet, but, no, hubby said she looks like a Lucy. So, Lucy it was.

Her Idea Of A "Pot Party"

She had a rocky start with Maxie but eventually they got along like old bud's. I'm so glad. Lucy was 6 weeks old on April 16, 2003 and already displayed LOTS of personality! She was so adorable and very intelligent with sweet searching eyes. She was an excellent companion, good watch dog, and quite sociable. It was a very happy day when we welcomed this little bundle into our family and hearts. 

The Orange "Thing" Was Her Favorite Toy

By July 21, 2008, Lucy had been limping rather badly for several days. So, we took her to the Vet to be examined. After X-rays, Vet told us she suffered from "ruptured cruciate ligament in the right stifle with arthritic changes in the left hip". Which meant it could not be fixed nor changed. She began taking a mild pain medication and glucosamine for the joints. This slowed down the degeneration a little and hopefully offered some relief. But I knew that Lucy was just handed a death sentence. Hip problems is how we lost our first big dog, Lady. 

Again, more sickness for the poor kid. On August 1st she was rushed to the Vet, again, and we received the devastating diagnosis that she had contracted stomach cancer. Also by now the leg problems completely overwhelmed her aging body. She was paralyzed and in excruciating pain. We made the agonizing decision to give her permanent rest. Poor thing had lost so much weight and fur she was almost unrecognizable. Her life had become one of misery. Lucy went peacefully to sleep with me petting her gently on Friday at 10:11 am. Do you know, she was still "smiling" like she always did?! What a sweetie she was. 

Lucy rests next to her best little buddy Maxie under the big oak trees in our personal pet cemetery. Everyone who knew her misses her very much. I know I do.

Ride Safe,

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ The Sword of the Spirit

The Sword of the Spirit 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

Printer Friendly Version

“The Sword of the Spirit… is the Word of God” (Eph. 6: 17).

Of all the spiritual armor which believers are told to “put on” in Eph. 6:11-18, there is only one offensive weapon. This is “the Sword of the Spirit… the Word of God.” The Bible is called “the Sword of the Spirit,” because the Spirit of God is its Author. It is called “the Sword of the Spirit” because, thus written by God who knows all, it can cut deeply. This makes it, for the believer, a formidable weapon against Satan and the forces of evil. We are told in Heb.4:12,13:

“The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”

As David said long ago:

“O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me. 

“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off” (Psa. 139:1,2).

It is because God knows and understands us so thoroughly that His Word can sometimes cut us so deeply. How wise, then, to bow before that Blessed Book, acknowledge its condemnation of sin and trust the Savior it presents! And, having done this, how wise to “put on the whole armor of God” in our stand against Satan and sin, not forgetting to “take … the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God”!

---

To the Reader:
Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Funny And Not So Funny Friday ~ Therapeutic Screen Saver

I have temporarily sprained, or I have arthritis in, both hands. Riding is out, for now. Typing is also painfully difficult so I will be off-line, hopefully only for a spell. I pray it doesn't take long to heal. Isn't growing old fun!? NOT!

Plus, next week we will face the agonizing decision (I think ... if I don't change my mind ... again) that we will have to send Lucy the boxer to Rainbow Bridge. I can't even say the word. It hurts too much. Anyway, she's just in too much pain to continue. If she can't get better it's cruel to drag this out. She's old and it's "time". *sigh* I'm trying not to think about what faces us. I'm gonna miss that big, sweet dog.

But, life goes on. Here's something to tickle the funny bone for Funny Friday. Might as well laugh. Beats the stew out of crying.

Enjoy! ~:)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is a relaxing and therapeutic screen saver.

 As you watch this screen saver, if the falling figure gets stuck, all you have to do is drag the figure to the side a bit to avoid the obstacle. You can also grab the figure with the mouse and bash it into things. I made sure to beat mine to a pulp a few times.

Or, you can place the figure between the obstacles and watch it flail helplessly, which may make you feel better.

Therapeutic Screen Saver