Two Minutes With The Bible ~ The Fruits Of The Resurrection

The Fruits Of The Resurrection 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

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The fruits of our Lord’s resurrection from the dead are many and important.

First, there were immediate results. It silenced those who had ridiculed His claims, and struck terror into their hearts. It explained how the prophecies would be fulfilled which predicted the death of Christ and the kingdom glory to follow. It heartened His followers, making cowards bold, turning their fear into faith, their sorrow into joy and their despair into glorious victory.

Then there were also long range results, for our Lord’s resurrection is a warning to unbelievers:

“Because [God] hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31. See also John 5:22,27; Acts 10:42).

As to believers, first, Christ’s resurrection from the dead assures us that our debt of sin has been fully paid:

“[HE] WAS DELIVERED FOR OUR OFFENCES, AND WAS RAISED AGAIN FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION. THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST” (Rom. 4:25; 5:1).

Second, His resurrection gives us a living Savior to help us in our daily walk.

“WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM” (Heb. 7:25).

Third, His resurrection is the pledge of our own:

“FOR IF WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN, EVEN SO THEM ALSO WHICH SLEEP IN JESUS WILL GOD BRING [FROM THE DEAD] WITH HIM” (I Thes. 4,14; cf. Heb. 13:20). 

“BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO, ACCORDING TO HIS ABUNDANT MERCY, HATH BEGOTTEN US AGAIN UNTO A LIVING HOPE BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD” (I Pet. 1:3).

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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.

A Two Wheeled Journey In The Country

It was one of those days that brought so much beauty to the table of life that it begged to be eaten with a spoon like fresh, homemade ice cream. Light, cool breezes. Azure blue skies. While the light lasts smiling wild flowers in full regalia gazing up at the sun. Oh yeah, I must put some time in the saddle!

My husband agreed that I needed to celebrate my 58th birthday all weekend and said we should toil not. (I suspect an ulterior motive here ...) That's OK. I'm a willing participant. "Throw me in that brier patch ...!" *smile*

For this Day Trip we stayed mostly in Ware County, Georgia. Riding from our home to Waycross, we proceeded north on Highway 82 (Corridor Z) to the unincorporated community of Millwood. From Millwood, turn on the Manor to Millwood Road and travel all the way to Manor. (Pronounced "Mainor". So named after the pioneering family of that area.) That part of the trip was especially enjoyable. The road is in dire need of resurfacing but if one pays attention to that, it's quite fun. In Manor, crossing Highway 84, it becomes Suwannee Chapel Road. Stay on it until it dead ends into Swamp Road. Hang a left on Swamp Road and stay on it all the way back to Waycross.

Abandoned train tracks.

Millwood, Georgia

 We took time to reflect

on how this community

once was a bustling little town.

Yellow planted Daisy's and a red Honda

go good together.

Trains are the arteries

that connect our communities

to the outside world.

Busted!

Enjoying an ice cream sandwich.

I hadn't enjoyed one literally in years

and Sweetie tempted me.

I caved.

(That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. lol)

All in all our trip was a little over 100 miles. One can view Blueberry farms, vegetable farms, small cattle ranches, piney woods, swamp, abandoned homes and train related items, and other interesting features.  It was truly a nice day. And we got to see a lot of what is our ever vanishing Georgia before it is lost to history.

Ride Safe,

The Garden Is Healing

As all my regular readers will well remember, I had an "incident" with the garden awhile back. I'm calling it an incident so as to protect the guilty. *cough* After determining which plants weren't going to make it, I put them on the compost so nothing goes to waste. Then very tediously on hands and knees, I diligently picked as much of the fertilizer off the soil as I could before I felt like the heat and humidity was going to cause heat stroke. Running the sprinklers until the soil looked a little safer was a good measure too. Waited a few days, then replanted, using the top soil and composed cow manure bags that MonkeyWrangler so kindly suggested.

Something really grand has emerged from my mistake. We plan to leave the top soil and cow manure to amend it even further for the fall garden. If finances allow, we'll add even more. Hubby and I have been discussing making the garden even better next to round. There's plans for a permanent fence, a possible greenhouse and other amenities. This has been such fun, I really want to get serious about growing vegetables again.

Lo and behold, some of the plants survived the onslaught! The tomatoes have lots of large ones waiting to turn red and juicy.

Most of the Yellow Crookneck Squash on one side are doing pretty well also. I noticed today that one even has a flower. I forgot how long it takes to go from flower to squash but I've got my mouth all set for that little banquet. I love, love, love squash!

And since today is so such bright sunshine and the sky so blue, I took a couple of snaps around the house.

Confederate Jasmine

There is a swing that Hubby built under there ...

somewhere ...

Trumpet Creeper

Remember "Tranquility Base"

and how I fixed it up last year?

Only need to trim the Blue Jack of a few dead limbs,

but otherwise it's lookin' real good.

Mostly I'm staying inside, though, because of the heat, humidity and biting bugs. Outside activities are just not very enjoyable right now, as I'm sure Simply Linda can remember. Lucky Dawg doesn't have to put up with such nonsense anymore. *grin*

Thanks for putting the kickstand down.

Ride Safe,

Two Minutes With The Bible ~ Inexcusable

Inexcusable 

by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

Berean Bible Society

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The second chapter of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is a dark, sad passage, but it opens the door to the richest blessing the human heart can contain: salvation by grace.

The opening words: “Therefore thou art inexcusable,” are blunt indeed, but God exposes our sinful condition only so as to save us from it.

This is where most philosophies and the Bible clash head-on. Most philosophies close their eyes to the sinful nature of man. They argue, generally, that man is inherently good, while overwhelming evidence bears witness that he is inherently bad. Therefore human philosophy offers no salvation from sin and its just penalty. Only the Bible does this with its “gospel [good news] of the grace of God.”

In Paul’s day the Greek philosophers condemned the uncivilized pagans for their open immorality and wickedness. But while preaching virtue these moralizers themselves practiced vice, and God said:

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things” (Rom. 2:1).

It is the same today. Multitudes of self-righteous people are outwardly cultured and moral, but they forget that God looks upon the heart and sees hate as murder, jealousy as theft and the lustful look as adultery. He considers, not what we do, outwardly, but what we desire to do or wish we dared to do. He sees the desires and motives of the heart.

But thank God, “Christ died for sinners” — guilty sinners, and all who come to God by faith in Christ are “justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24).

“Inexcusable,” or “justified freely by His grace,” through faith in the Christ who died for our sins? Which will it be?

---

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 are turned off so we may all enjoy a day of rest.

Have a very happy day!

Funny Friday ~ Darth Vadar Speaks On #HealthCare

"Now, where is that pen and phone ... ?"

Ride Safe,

Throw Back Thursday: 1962-1963 First Grade #tbt #florida

This week for Throwback Thursday, I'm featuring my First Grade group photo from Whispering Hills Elementary School in Titusville, Florida. I'm not sure if the school is still in operation but there may be some history listed here.

I don't remember any of my classmates or, sadly, where they are. Their names are not listed on the back. And I won't ask if you can guess which one is me since for most of my dear viewers, my face is a mystery. Ok, I'm the one grinning like someone said "Anyone want chocolate?!" [extreme right row, third grin back]

Isn't it nice to see children all clean and not wearing offensive t-shirts or torn jeans? *sigh* And notice the little sailor suit imitation with shoes and socks?! One thing I remember of my first year in Junior High (7th grade) is I was warned to not wear socks or I would be kidded unmercifully. So I was sans socks from Day One in Junior High. That was about 1969.

By the way, all this reminiscing got me to thinking about the old home I grew up in. So, I researched the address on the Brevard County Property Appraiser website. It's in foreclosure! Poor things. I am grieved to hear of their misfortune. And, no, I don't want to live there again. Not ever. No way. Nuh huh! I like where I'm at. However, it was interesting to look up the old place. It looks neglected now. [If the link doesn't work, I can post a captured photo later or search for 55 North Holiday Lane.] When Myra and Dad owned it, our home was a show place.

Have a happy day everyone!

Ride Safe,

The Great Vegetable Massacre

Caution! This post is not for the faint of heart. Or the humorless. *smile*

I have done something so epically stupid, so incredibly dumb, that it should go down in the annuals of DUMBNESS. What I did is so historically legendary brainless that it should be passed down by oral or written tradition as something one should not do. Moi deserves a picture in Websters next to the word DUMB.

dumb
/dem/

NORTH AMERICANinformal

stupid.

"a dumb question"

synonyms: stupid, unintelligen, ignorant, dense, brainless, mindless, foolish, slow, dull, simple, empty-headed, stunned, vacuous, vapid, idiotic, half-baked, imbecilic, bovine; see Sparky

What have a done to warrant such self deprecating abuse? Well, you may ask.

Our first attempt at home gardening in eight or nine years had been progressing very nicely. The little seeds so lovingly planted, prayed for, watched daily, and monitored unceasingly where flourishing with all the gentle care. They had even survived the over watering from the Spring rains. But oh Bright One Wannabe here, noticed the plants needed a little fertilizer. All they needed was a little boost. A little artificial nourishment lovingly administered by it's hungry caregivers. It was also determined that our lush centipede grass needs attention. The grass has been assaulted by an odious little weed called Spurge. A nasty small weed that's slowly choking out the grass. So, after a trip to the local Ace, and purchasing the proper fertilizers for each necessity, Hubby and I set about taking care of the beloved plants. He carefully weeded between all the rows in the Springtime swelter, fighting off the bugs and the dizziness­­ from lack of exercise. I carefully set about laying the fertilizer beside each plant, making sure to not touch the stems or leaves. It was tedious, nauseating, fatiguing work which my body is loudly rebelling against. I'm not accustomed to forced labor anymore. But, I wasn't complaining as my mouth was anxiously awaiting the yummy food yet to come.

This afternoon, my husband went out and checked the plants. He came rushing in with his face all ashen white. I ask, what's wrong??! He replied, "They're dieing!" WHAT!? Horrors of horrors, he's right. The vegetables are all wilted and burnt! What happened?!

I did a little investigating of the packages and guess who picked up the wrong fertilizer and proceeded to destroy the vegetables? Yep. Me. The epically DUMB blond woman. I am hanging my head in shame. Now all the beautiful little seedlings are withering away in a slow and premature death.

I am dutifully ashamed.

I think I even heard their little voices whispering last night.

"Why did they DO this to US!!??"

"I don't feel so good ..."

"They seemed so nice too ..."

"Don't they LOVE us?!"

"MURDERER!"
[That had to be the Green Beans. I've never trusted something with strings in it anyway. *lol*]

Kinda creepy when the plants trash talk. But I've betrayed them.

I'm such a coward that I can't even bring myself to go out there and look the little guys in the face. I am so ashamed!

This is not ending well. *sigh* And not only is spreading the wrong fertilizer killing the existing seedlings, it's pretty much salted the earth for the rest of the season. Unless, that is, I want to get out there in the heat and bugs and scrape the ground free of said debauchery.

Hubby said that possibly we can replant in a couple of weeks but I feel discouraged. After all that hard work. Ruined! The weeks of waiting and loving care. We no longer can look forward to enjoying the homegrown fare. No more looking forward to our own mouthwatering Ford Hook Limas, Green Beans, Cucumbers, Zucchini, or Yellow Squash. I think the Tomatoes survived the massacre but only because Hubby fertilized them with the CORRECT package marked "Tomatoes And Vegetables". Everything else seems to be a wash out.

So, while every one else is enjoying their homegrown vegetables this summer, I will still be humbly skulking through the produce section at Kroger. I just hope I don't have to hide in humiliation by wearing a paper bag over my head. Even though I deserve it. *lol*






Ride Safe,