Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Paul's Three I Am's

Paul's Three I Am's

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society
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Three times in Romans 1:14-16, the Apostle Paul uses the phrase “I am”, and each one carries an important message for every true believer in Christ.

First, he says in verse 14: “I am debtor” — debtor to all men, to tell them about the saving work of Christ. But why was he indebted to people he had never even seen? For several reasons:

First, he had in his hand what they needed to be saved from the penalty and power of sin. If I see a drunkard lying across the railroad track and I do nothing about it, am I not a murderer if he is killed by the train? If I see a man drowning and I have a life buoy in my hand but do not throw it to him, am I not a murderer if he goes down for the last time? If I see millions of lost souls about me and, knowing the message of salvation, do not tell them, am I not guilty if they die without Christ?

Further, Paul felt himself a debtor to others, because the Christ who had died for his sins had also died for the sins of others. As he says in II Corinthians 5:14,15: “Christ died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them and rose again.”

Finally, the Christ who had died for Paul’s sins, had commissioned him to tell others of His saving grace. Thus he says in I Corinthians 9:16,17:

“Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For…a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me” (ICor.9:16,17).

Paul could say further what every true believer should be able to say: Not “I am debtor, but“, but rather, “I am debtor…SO, as much as in me is, I AM READY…” (Rom.1:15). He was ready to discharge his debt because he had that with which to discharge it — the wonderful “gospel of the grace of God”. And he did indeed make this the message known to others with all that was in him.

And now the third “I am”: “I am debtor…So I am ready… For I AM NOT ASHAMED of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (Ver. 16). Paul was always proud to own Christ as the mighty Saviour from sin. Do you know Christ as your Saviour? Do you tell others of His saving grace?

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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."

We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Gob·ble·dy·gook Presidency And Other Observations

gob·ble·dy·gook

Noun informal: gobbledegook; noun: gobbledygook
1. language that is meaningless or is made unintelligible by excessive use of abstruse technical terms; nonsense.
synonyms:    gibberish, claptrap, nonsense, rubbish, balderdash, blather, garbage;

I feel that way many times these days. You know, that the “noise” emanating from the TV is gobbledygook. I hear it from our alleged President. I hear it from some ‘news’ [government mouthpiece] organizations. I hear it from the Hollywood left. I even hear it from supposedly sane people who think that it’s a good thing to obey everything that issues from the government’s mouth.

Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Pardon me for growling but it’s been a bit of a long week. And not just because of the pretend shut down by our newly self-appointed Federal Overlords. This shut down is so bogus.

Imagine 1,000 spigots in a row, flowing unabated with water careening unchecked everywhere. It’s causing major chaos with the flow and we‘re all gonna drown if they‘re not curtailed [shut down]. Now imagine that you reach over and turn down two of those spigots by less than one percent. Only two. And only a fraction of an inch. Do you think there’s any less danger of an overflow or reducing that chaos? Also, these “shut downs” have been deliberately chosen to hurt the American people the most by satan‘s child Barry Hussein himself. He, however, will not give up his golfing this week. Heaven forbid the “King“ should be inconvenienced!! [scowl]

The “shut down” is important to our country because right now it’s the only thing between US and the full implementation of Obamacare. I pray that the Republicans do not cave.

The Dem’s want this for political reasons. “Screw the country!” Must be their motto since it certainly isn’t “In God We Trust” anymore. (Last Dem convention, remember?)

So excuse me while I YAWN! everytime Turdboy gets on the TV and lies. I’m not interested in the Barry-cade Drama Queen moments. I hope it stays shut down. In fact, shut down the IRS. The EPA. The FDA. All of them. Our lives will be a lot safer, calmer and happier.

Another stressful moment for me this week was dealing with a problem at the private school that our 9 year old niece is enrolled in. A little background: because we’re all poor, the family has collectively put her in this school to protect her from the negative culture in the government schools. I agree with John Stossel. I don’t call them “Public Schools” anymore. He stated recently for Fox News Opinion how his reporting on America’s public school systems changed his views - Let's call our public schools what they really are: ‘government’ schools: “People say public schools are ‘one of the best parts of America.’ I believed that. Then I started reporting on them.  Now I know that public school -- government school is a better name -- is one of the worst parts of America. It’s a stultified government monopoly. It never improves.”

Totally agree John! They’ll never improve. It’s the government for goodness sake! They’re indoctrinating the nation’s children to be good little drones and always do what they say to do. We said “Huh!” to that. So, to a private, we thought, Christian school she goes with the focus on a classical education. And this is at great financial sacrifice to us and her parents, I might add. What happened this week? The school went and hired a former Government School teacher who has a nasty attitude and is a racist to boot. (She’s a Jamaican.) She has bullied, belittled and picked on our niece and a few other white kids. Now, the school is scared to fire her. Our straight “A” student, who loved going to school, went from that to being afraid to go to school with nearly failing grades in a matter of a month! Plus, the bullying was causing health problems for the niece. Therefore, we called the Head Guy at the school to let him know that if this isn’t resolved quickly, we’re pulling niece and money from the school. Several meetings later, lots of phone calls, tit-for-tat, back and forth and I think as of this writing, the predatory teacher issue has been resolved. Niece is back at the school.

For now.

It’s just been a stay angry week. And I don’t like feeling upset, or frightened, or that I want to pound someone until they’re bloody spot into the earth. [smile] I’d much rather get along, be happy and be left alone. But sometimes, one must make a stand. This was definitely one of them.

Anyway, to cheer myself up today, Hubby and I have begun the process of looking for a new puppy or puppies. Get this, Hubby wants two puppies, if we can, which is what I had been secretly hoping for but did not mention to him because I didn’t want him to feel pressured! God works in mysterious ways, my friends.

Please pray that we will find two “perfect“ dogs to join our little household. Thanks.

~ Ride Safe ~
Sparky

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ What's Behind Our Moral Decline?

What's Behind Our Moral Decline?

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society
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One does not have to be a prude to conclude that our country is suffering a serious moral decline. Our rulers and law enforcement agencies seem powerless to cope with it. Campaigns to check it seem vain. J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI warned us again and again that the alarming rate of this downward trend would spell ruin for America if not checked soon. But what most people fail to realize is that behind this moral decline there is a spiritual decline. America has departed from God and His Word.

Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us how the heathen got that way. Rom. 1:21,22 says: “When they knew God they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise they became fools,” and the verses that follow tell how God finally had to “give them up” to “uncleanness” and “vile affections”–all because “they did not like [wish] to retain God in their knowledge” (Ver. 28).

St. Paul further describes them in Eph. 4:17-19, as walking “in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who being past feeling [conscience] have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” This, sad to say, is an accurate description of increasing numbers in America today. They are throwing off restraint and going after uncleanness “with greediness.”
But this is not liberty, it is enslavement. It is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. It does not indicate superior intelligence, but grossest ignorance, and is the result of alienation from God.

How much better off are those who have come to know God through Christ! Of these the Apostle says:

“And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh, through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight” (Col. 1:21,22).

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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."

We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

Recipe: Simple Lemon Chicken Piccata

We had this one-dish wonder tonight. Hubby served it with a side dish of fresh, cooked spinach in garlic. Oh my gosh, it was heavenly! And there's no vampires in our home! [ha ha]

Enjoy.

CHICKEN PICCATA
Recipe by Fabio Viviani
Yield: 2 servings
[link]

Ingredients:
2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2-3/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons butter, divided
2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 large lemon
2 tablespoons drained capers
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method:

Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally: With the blade of the knife horizontal to the work surface and with your free hand pressing down slightly on a chicken breast, slice horizontally through the breast so that you have 2 same-size pieces. Repeat with the remaining breasts, so that you have 4 pieces.

Place the 4 pieces of chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound them to about 1/3-inch thickness.

Beat the eggs and salt in a shallow bowl large enough to hold a piece of chicken. Place the flour in another bowl.

Coat the chicken first with the egg and then with the flour, tapping off the excess. Discard any unused egg and flour.

Over medium heat in a nonstick skillet large enough to hold all 4 pieces of chicken in a single layer, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and add the 2 teaspoons of olive oil.

Add the chicken and saute until it is golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes on each side.

Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and the 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet.

Add the garlic and capers; saute for 15 seconds.

Add the chicken stock, white wine, and the juice of the lemon.

Boil the sauce to reduce it, about 3 minutes.

Return the chicken to the sauce, and simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens a little more, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a serving plate.

Add the parsley and pepper to the sauce. Bring it to a boil, and remove it from the heat.

Spoon the sauce over the chicken, and serve.

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ The Wonders Of His Grace

The Wonders Of His Grace

by Pastor Paul M. Sadler

Berean Bible Society
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Scripture Reading:

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”
– II Corinthians 8:9

Whether the occasion is a holiday, a birthday celebration, or a graduation, it is customary to give a gift. While some gifts are given out of necessity, for the most part, a gift is an expression of our love. We normally bestow these tokens of our affection on those whom we feel deserve the honor. But God’s ways are not our ways. He gave the gift of His beloved Son to His enemies. That’s a true love story! Oh, the wonder of His grace that God sent His only begotten Son, the Son of His love, to save sinners like you and me while we were fleeing from the glory of His presence. Little wonder the Apostle Paul says, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (II Cor. 9:15).

The word “unspeakable” here has the idea of “indescribable.” The gifts I’ve received through the years were all describable. Some may have been a little harder to describe than others, but describable nonetheless! But the gift of God’s dear Son is indescribable. Who can explain the incarnation, how the eternal Son of God left heaven’s glory and took upon Himself the form of human flesh, yet was not tainted with our sin. Who can explain how Christ was wholly God and wholly human in one person? These wonders can only be received through the eye of faith.

The manger and the Cross stand at the two extremes of our Lord’s life, but they are connected by the tapestry of redemption. Hence, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” A love story that ends with a death is tragic; in contrast, the death of Christ is the greatest demonstration of love this world has ever seen. How much does God love you? He gave His only begotten Son to die on your behalf. You see, Christ wasn’t dying for His sin, He knew no sin; He was dying for your sins and my sins at Calvary. He was made sin for us that we might receive the righteousness of God in Him. Have you trusted Him?

Surely you would never think of paying for a gift; why, the giver would be highly offended — how much more so with God. The payment for your sins has already been furnished by the Giver; simply receive Him as a gift from God. If you have, then why not thank Him today for His unspeakable gift? After all, this is the Gift that includes all others!

Maxie's Tombstone Marker

We live way out in the country. There's very little commerce in our county except for pine tree harvesting, a grocery store or two and a pharmacy. So, Tuesday we drove 50 miles to The Big City of Brunswick to go to my favorite concrete statue store, Concrete Creations. I was looking for that special something that was 'just right' for Maxie's grave. Today, my sweet husband, painted the formerly all gray concrete marker in honor of our little puppy.

 

I know, I know. All this really is helping with the grieving process. And I am getting better. Really I am. I'm not crying as often and amazingly have started looking at different types of puppies on-line. The next dog will not be a miniature schnauzer. I do adore 'mini's' but they are way too much maintenance for an O.F. like me. [ha ha] I need something that doesn't require grooming and probably around 20-25 pounds. But a purchase of another dog is many months away, I'm sure. It's still too soon.

Anyway, didn't he do a splendid job!? Since there are other pet graves under our big oaks now (I can't believe we've been here over 20 years now!) he said he would also refurbish those.

He's such a wonderful man. I treasure him more every year.

Hope y'all are having a good week and looking forward to an equally happy weekend.

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky

New Obamacare Revelation: Sex And Your Doctor

The fears about Obamacare and unconstitutional intrusions are true. Now we learn that all Doctors will be forced to ask patients irrelevant intrusive questions on our sex lives. That’s right, ALL DOCTORS. Whether it’s a Dermatologist, a Podiatrist, or a General Physician. All of them! Your sex partners, the frequency, etc. They will also be required to ask about the guns in your home and if you use any of them. However, according to Judge Andrew Napolitano (Fox News contributor) when we are asked these wicked questions we are not required to answer. The not so benevolent government will be issuing computers that the doctors have to use and complete. This data will be shared with more dimbulb government employees who are so stupid that they are known for losing our Social Security Numbers.

Much of this situation can be laid to blame at the Organized Crime Union’s feet. My husband’s former Union of CWA (Communications Workers of America) is trying to drop all us retirees! CWA can lay much of the blame at their own door, willing as they were to go to the mat for Obama and his insane health care plan that is going to drive the costs of health care to unsupportable levels. Not to mention the additional taxes that will be levied against "Cadillac" plans bargained by unions that will be passed on to active employees. Just as major cities face bankruptcy over unsustainable health care insurance for retired city workers, large corporations can see the writing on the wall and will do whatever is needed to reduce costs by passing the costs on to their active and retired workers. It's not fair but it's inevitable. All of us have created this mess and the chickens are coming home to roost. All of this was part of Obama's evil plans. He repeatedly said that he preferred a European style "single payer" plan. In other words, everyone is on the government plan. Forget company provided health insurance, a bargaining chip that held unions together and made membership advantageous. His plan is coming to fruit as our health care system crumbles and we will all be forced into what he envisioned at the start. It's all very depressing and I have no idea what we can do about it now that the camel has gotten his nose under the tent.

Does anyone still believe that Obama or his satan inspired Obamacare is a “good thing”??? Gosh, I hope not. Because if everyone is not outraged by this new revelation, they’re not human nor are they still above ground nor do they deserve to be.

"May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership." Psalm 109:8 NIV

~ Ride Safe ~

Sparky