tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66986155394000374052024-03-14T00:17:33.031-06:00Gospel SnippetsGospel Snippets contains short, practical Bible-based articles related to everyday livingMike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.comBlogger3711125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-72017333938288416212020-11-23T08:26:00.000-07:002020-11-23T08:26:02.181-07:00My Last Blog Post<p> Approximately a month ago, this writer woke up experiencing double vision. My eye doctor determined that I had experienced the symptoms of <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/giant-cell-arteritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20372758">Giant cell arteritis</a>. After spending a week in the local hospital, undergoing a biopsy, the condition was confirmed. I can presently only see out of my left eye in seeing close up with the aid of reading glasses. Thus, this article will be my last blog post.</p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2J2nmzY3Qw/X7hxNnnbxjI/AAAAAAAAOkE/da1DvBdqYzIOCWvpj4_7ZgZSrWa7eCY9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s300/Giving%2BTo%2BOthers.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="300" height="104" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V2J2nmzY3Qw/X7hxNnnbxjI/AAAAAAAAOkE/da1DvBdqYzIOCWvpj4_7ZgZSrWa7eCY9ACLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h104/Giving%2BTo%2BOthers.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div>Since I am presently undergoing a series of medical tests, plus taking steroids to prevent any further sight problems with my left eye, this writer is requesting that you keep me in your daily prayers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for your generosity and support in sharing these blog articles with people around the world and may the Lord richly bless you and your family during this upcoming holiday season (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/09/cast-your-bread-upon-waters.html">see article</a>). <div><br /></div><div> ---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a>, Gospel Snippets<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Article:</b> <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/05/random-acts-of-kindness.html">Here</a></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-14391876580900286592020-11-16T09:04:00.001-07:002021-02-10T08:24:01.550-07:00Which Is More Important .... Knowledge Or Wisdom?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BV70CEpvasc/X7Kh9gmD2rI/AAAAAAAAOjw/VLVtjJVgjEQFWEUjMiMP9Ow04DgksVk1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s180/Knowledge%2Band%2BWisdom.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="144" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BV70CEpvasc/X7Kh9gmD2rI/AAAAAAAAOjw/VLVtjJVgjEQFWEUjMiMP9Ow04DgksVk1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Knowledge%2Band%2BWisdom.jpg" /></a></div> The above titled question is what I asked my adult Bible class yesterday. The simple answer is that without the proper <b>knowledge</b> of God's word (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A15%3B+Proverbs+1%3A7&version=NKJV">2 Timothy 2:15; Proverbs 1:7</a>) and the <b><a href="https://gewatkins.net/the-bible-doctrine-of-wisdom/">wisdom</a></b> to make personal application of the Word (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+4%3A7&version=NKJV">Proverbs 4:7</a>), an individual will not be able to come to a full <b>understanding </b>of God's word (knowledge and wisdom are <a href="https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/interconnected">interconnected</a>). The inspired apostle Paul fully understood this concept in <a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3%3A1-4&version=NKJV">Ephesians 3:1-4</a>, where he emphasizes the word "<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/12/leaders-are-readers-invest-in-your-mind.html">read</a>" and "understand" connecting them<span> </span>to the word "gospel" in verse 6 - <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/07/when-you-read-you-may-understand.html#main">see article</a>).<p></p><p>This is why the Proverb writer tells us that "<i><b>Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding</b></i>" (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+4%3A7&version=NKJV">Proverbs 4:7</a>; cf. <a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+1%3A5&version=NKJV">Proverbs 1:5</a>). An understanding of what? Of the knowledge found in God's word (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A15%3B+Psalm+1%3A1-2&version=NKJV">2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 1:1-2</a>).</p><p>The following two articles emphasize the importance of interconnecting the words "knowledge" and "wisdom": See <a href="https://gewatkins.net/how-to-get-wisdom-from-god/">here</a> and <a href="https://gewatkins.net/sermon-on-wisdom-the-wisdom-of-god-or-the-wisdom-of-man/">here</a>.</p><p>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a>, Gospel Snippets <br /></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-721940100335420412020-11-14T11:11:00.001-07:002020-11-15T19:12:13.529-07:00Leon Musk And Intelligence<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Af6x8HrzpFg/X7AddTLAsUI/AAAAAAAAOjc/scK4PWfzjck4DJHUb41tCNexlV3h3J24gCLcBGAsYHQ/s180/Leon%2BMush.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="136" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Af6x8HrzpFg/X7AddTLAsUI/AAAAAAAAOjc/scK4PWfzjck4DJHUb41tCNexlV3h3J24gCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Leon%2BMush.jpg" /></a></div> There's no question in this writer's mind that <a href="https://www.biography.com/business-figure/elon-musk">Leon Musk</a> is not only intelligent, but like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptD0T-ZcF2M">Steve Jobs</a>, an innovator and visionary. However as I wrote in <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/03/intelligence-alone-is-not-enough.html">this article</a>, intelligence alone is not enough.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>The ability to make sound and wise decisions, demands not only intelligence (Isaiah 1:18), but a heart totally devoted to God (cf. <a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=The+ability+to+make+sound+and+wise+decisions%2C+demands+not+only+intelligence+%28Isaiah+1%3A18%29%2C+but+a+heart+totally+devoted+to+God+%28cf.+Numbers+14%3A24%3B+Deuteronomy+1%3A36%3B+Joshua+14%3A14%29.&version=NKJV">Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:36; Joshua 14:14</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/06/why-dont-people-think.html">think</a> about it!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></i></b>, Gospel Snippets<br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-51655845016154470682020-11-10T09:15:00.001-07:002020-11-14T20:54:38.089-07:00What's More Important, Being "Safe" Or Being "Saved"?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoB-PQ-K2CY/X6q7Z5Qur9I/AAAAAAAAOjQ/qNxbmj8j7SINgSnacONX7IyPCZ_AY0ClwCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/Safe%2BPlace%2BSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoB-PQ-K2CY/X6q7Z5Qur9I/AAAAAAAAOjQ/qNxbmj8j7SINgSnacONX7IyPCZ_AY0ClwCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h150/Safe%2BPlace%2BSign.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> All this writer has seen from recent news sources is for people to be "<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/stay-safe-covid-19-elevator/story?id=71176879">safe</a>" and follow <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/03/coronavirus-versus-sting-of-sin.html">coronavirus</a> guidelines, but not once have I heard the aspect of being "saved" (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-power-of-jesus-blood.html">from sin</a>).<p></p><p>As I've written before on this blog, there's only one place where you can be truly "safe" (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/06/is-there-really-such-place-as-safe-place.html">see here</a>).</p><p>Beloved, let's <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/06/why-dont-people-think.html">think</a> about it!</p><p>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley,</a> Gospel Snippets<br /></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-6670863206030346002020-11-04T15:27:00.000-07:002020-11-04T15:27:45.288-07:00Living In A World Of Malcontents<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1KEJb4dXMe0/X6MocW_6IgI/AAAAAAAAOi4/y2rpoFU6DWEYJmLSA8Oo6xRIjPaEzXQ-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s335/Malcontent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="73" data-original-width="335" height="70" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1KEJb4dXMe0/X6MocW_6IgI/AAAAAAAAOi4/y2rpoFU6DWEYJmLSA8Oo6xRIjPaEzXQ-ACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h70/Malcontent.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> From what this writer has observed in the past generation, we are now living in a world of <b>malcontents</b> (<a href="https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/malcontent">see here</a>). This societal condition has been brought about by <b>(1)</b> <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-entitlement-and-narcissism-mindset.html">affluence</a> and <b>(2)</b> being <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/07/living-successfully-in-perilous-times.html">unthankful</a> for the <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/05/do-we-despise-gods-blessings.html">blessings</a> that God has graciously bestowed upon mankind (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy+3:2&version=NKJV">2 Timothy 3:2</a>; <a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+6&version=NKJV">Deuteronomy 6</a>). <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/03/and-be-ye-thankful.html">Here</a> is the opposite mindset.<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p>Beloved, <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/02/life-has-way.html">life has a way</a> of bringing <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/10/when-mankind-gets-right-our-world-will.html">mankind</a> back into <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/11/all-nations-that-forget-god.html">alignment</a> with God's will. If we choose not to <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/04/an-appeal-for-faithful-obedience.html">obey God</a> (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A21&version=NKJV">Matthew 7:21</a>), there's only one course of action for God to pursue (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A5-7%3B+Deuteronomy+8&version=NKJV">Genesis 6:5-7; Deuteronomy 8</a> - specifically noting vs. 17-20).</p><p>As He did Israel of old, God still sets before us today a blessing and a curse (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+11&version=NKJV">Deuteronomy 11</a>, specifically noting vs. 26-28).</p><p>Beloved, the ball is now in our court. The decision is ours to make. God has already made His decision.</p><p>Which will <b>we</b> choose? (A <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/07/are-we-ready-to-open-windows-of-heaven.html">blessing</a> or a <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/01/goodness-and-severity-of-god.html">curse</a>?).</p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets<br /></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-661390879002913872020-10-26T16:39:00.000-06:002020-10-26T16:39:48.538-06:00 Biblical Baptism—No. 3<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvuy5Edz9hs/X5dLGP-X_MI/AAAAAAAAOis/McRpx7S1Xs0zjhMx-j74UpPi_MbxNt41wCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/Baptised%2BInto%2BChrist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="300" height="152" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fvuy5Edz9hs/X5dLGP-X_MI/AAAAAAAAOis/McRpx7S1Xs0zjhMx-j74UpPi_MbxNt41wCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h152/Baptised%2BInto%2BChrist.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> “Will there be anyone in Heaven who has not been baptized?” When one stresses the New Testament’s clear teaching on baptism, a question similar to this often arises. This question does not concern infants or those who are mentally incompetent. Rather, it relates to those who have sufficient mental faculties to make them <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/740-leviticus-5-17-ignorance-and-accountability">accountable</a> and responsible beings before God. Will there be any such in Heaven who were not baptized? While such questions often seem to be designed more to appeal to emotions than to seek and accept the Truth, they nonetheless deserve a Biblical answer.<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p>This question has two correct answers. The first correct answer is, “Yes, there will be many, many people in Heaven who were never baptized.” The Bible even calls many of them by name. Jesus said: “And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and the west and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven” (Mat. 8:11). Kingdom of heaven in Matthew’s book usually refers to the church (Mat. 3:2; 4:17; 10:7; 16:18–19, 28; et al.), but in this statement it obviously refers to the eternal Heaven. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob never heard of baptism, but Jesus said they will be in Heaven. Hebrews 11 records a long list of great heroes and heroines of the faith. Starting just outside the Garden of Eden with Abel, the writer names many Old Testament saints to the time of the prophets, finally saying that time failed him to list others (v. 32). The writer affirms that each one lived “by <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/03/one-faith-faith.html">faith</a>.” The implication is unmistakable that each one named will be in Heaven at last, but none of them ever heard of baptism. The Bible contains numerous other illustrations of the same fact. So, yes, there will be many people in Heaven who were never baptized. </p><p>However, all of these had in common the following: <b>They all lived before Christ died on the cross.</b> Baptism was not a part of the Patriarchal or Mosaic law systems (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/11/defining-different-ages.html">see article</a>), under one or the other of which every person lived <b>before</b> Calvary. Salvation under those systems required faith in and <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/03/theres-password-to-gain-access-to-heaven.html">obedience</a> to God, along with animal sacrifices. However, the blood of bulls and goats could not remove sin (Heb. 10:4). That blood was typical of the sacrifice of Jesus’ perfect blood. Thus, the cleansing power of His blood “flowed backward” to redeem those Patriarchs and Jews who had been faithful to God in their respective law systems (Gal. 4:4–5; Heb. 9:15). We should not think this any more unusual than that Jesus’ blood “flows forward” to cleanse us of sin today. Subsequently, we will discuss the second correct answer to the question. <i><b>---<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsTqQeo_pjw">Dub McClish</a>, <a href="http://TheScripturecache.com">TheScripturecache.com</a></b></i></p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets<br /></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-72538966642094504992020-10-23T11:02:00.007-06:002020-10-23T20:49:46.620-06:00Continuous COVID-19 Mandates Produce Negative Consequences<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brBMPEYV6xY/X5MKp3mAgbI/AAAAAAAAOig/rS9mpCf3qCgCxiWzB6jgoHjnhvfhAkwMACLcBGAsYHQ/s300/Sinsick%2BWorld.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="280" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-brBMPEYV6xY/X5MKp3mAgbI/AAAAAAAAOig/rS9mpCf3qCgCxiWzB6jgoHjnhvfhAkwMACLcBGAsYHQ/w187-h200/Sinsick%2BWorld.jpg" width="187" /></a></div> As this writer read <a href="https://kfoxtv.com/news/coronavirus/el-paso-county-to-address-alarming-surge-of-covid-19-cases">this <i><b>KFOX14</b></i> article</a> regarding our county judge's possible future decision to ask for a stay-at-home order if COVID-19 cases don't decrease, I immediately thought that continuous COVID 19 mandates produce nothing more than <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/01/societally-there-is-no-putting-genie.html"><i><b>negative</b></i> consequences</a>.<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p><a href="https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2020/10/covid19_mandates_are_have_longranging_negative_consequences.html">This <i><b>American Thinker</b></i> article</a> proves this writer to be correct in his thinking. <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2017/02/on-other-side-of-coin.html">On the other side of the coin</a>, note the last paragraph and the words "blissful ignorance." Know that ignorance is not really bliss (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/04/is-ignorance-really-bliss.html">see article</a>).</p><p>Beloved, as I wrote in <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/02/lets-all-be-revolutionaries.html">this article</a>, "<i><b>In reading history, there is no doubt in this writer's mind that socialism/communism is always raising its ugly head on the horizon of human extinction.</b></i>"</p><p>And regarding the COVID-19 virus, Our whole world has been turned upside down by this virus and will never "<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/10/when-mankind-gets-right-our-world-will.html">right</a>" itself unless it returns to God (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/07/god-is-still-talking-but-no-one-is.html">see article</a>). The question becomes will it return? Sadly, history indicates that it won't (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A12-13&version=NKJV">2 Timothy 3:12-13</a>). <a href="https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/90-america-a-nation-out-of-control">See article</a> and note comments under the heading "Conclusion."</p><p>In light of the above information, the only plea that we as Christians have left is "<i><b>Lord, come quickly</b></i>" (Revelation 22:20).</p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets<br /><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Related Articles:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/09/this-is-what-happens-when-society-gets.html">This Is What Happens When A Society Gets Away From The Book</a></li><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/05/bring-book.html">"Bring The Book"</a></li></ul><p></p><div><br /></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-70732663214676397092020-10-20T09:19:00.005-06:002021-03-01T08:36:42.837-07:00Healthy People And The Wearing Of Masks<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26YiBxVXo-w/X479FTVEOcI/AAAAAAAAOiI/iuQ5bKYv18QMdvBVnJGLT91gLMe8V1tLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/Health%2BAnd%2BWellness.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="300" height="95" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26YiBxVXo-w/X479FTVEOcI/AAAAAAAAOiI/iuQ5bKYv18QMdvBVnJGLT91gLMe8V1tLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h95/Health%2BAnd%2BWellness.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> In <a href="https://www.oann.com/doctors-take-down-misinformation-on-coronavirus/">this <i><b>OAN</b></i> article</a> (this OAN article has since been removed) it states: "<i><b>A small group of medical experts from around the country are speaking out against misinformation on the coronavirus. The doctors gathered on the Supreme Court steps in the nation’s capitol Saturday morning to inform Americans not to be afraid of the virus.</b></i>"<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p>A quote from the above article: "These doctors argued masks <b>do not</b> help curb the spread of the virus (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/05/weve-lost-our-collective-minds.html">see article</a>). In fact, they said the masks are socially divisive and pose a threat to civil liberties as well as national security (<a href="https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2021/02/enough_is_enough_time_to_finally_follow_the_science_on_masks.html">see AT article</a>). However, they assert doctors in America are capable of treating COVID-19 and early treatment is key."</p><p>So this writer's question is, Why in the world are healthy people in our society still forced to wear masks?</p><p>There's only one answer: <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-abuse-and-misuse-of-power.html">Control</a> over the minds of people. not allowing them to <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/04/biblical-education-and-true-minority.html">freely think</a> for themselves and make their own decisions.</p><p>One more observation: We meet fear with faith -- see the <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/01/fear-and-faith-contrasted.html">contrast</a> and then <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/09/meeting-fear-with-faith.html">see article</a>).</p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets<br /></p><p><b>Related Article:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/03/fear-ye-not.html">"Fear Ye Not"</a></li></ul><p></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-80674788712117225992020-10-19T20:04:00.001-06:002020-10-20T07:39:04.631-06:00No Set Schedule, No Supervision, Equals No Responsibility Resulting In No Education<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/05/great-teachers-change-lives.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FE4Dn-KK1LY/X44cuG5wHNI/AAAAAAAAOh4/oPnNCkAIWUUOyN83ulid3Y4UuHlQy8aNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/If%2BIt%2BWorks%2BDon%2527t%2BFix%2BIt.jpg" /></a></div> As I read the following <b><i>KFOX 14</i></b> article <a href="https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/el-paso-parents-encouraged-to-keep-daily-scheduled-during-remote-learning">here</a> regarding the importance of students keeping a daily schedule during <a href="https://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/reopening-schools/covid-19-remote-learning-how-to-make-it.html">remote learning</a>, this writer noticed the following key words: <i><b>daily routine</b></i> or <b style="font-style: italic;">set schedule. </b>Doctor Jeffrey Shuster, chief medical officer at El Paso Children’s Hospital, believes there are many areas of development that negatively affect a child because of remote learning. The following are the two main areas:<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p><b>1) </b><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/02/4-reasons-your-leadership-suffers-when.html">Lack of sleep</a> due to increased computer screen time, which produces a lack of physical activity.</p><p><b>2)</b> Lack of <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/10/our-feelings-of-connection-of-empathy.html">social connections</a> with other students.</p><p>The above article points out the following issues: "<i><b>No schedule, increased computer screen time, and the lack of physical activity in children are all issues that doctors worry about with virtual learning.</b></i>" Quoting from Dr. Shuster: "<i><b>One of the things that distresses me is when talking to patience or patience’s families, teenagers have got their lives completely turned around. They’re up at night and asleep during the day. Way too many are just ignoring virtual learning and will be set back at least a year if they don’t pass those courses.</b></i>"<i> </i></p><p>The following observation by Dr. Shuster is the real crux of the problem with virtual learning: "<i style="font-weight: bold;">He said many are skipping virtual learning and playing computer games instead.</i>" This reminded me of the children of Israel in worshiping the golden calf: "<i><b>Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play</b></i>" (Exodus 32:6). Note their main desire was to "<i><b>play</b></i>" (and mankind has been playing ever since - <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/04/christianity-is-not-game.html">see article</a>).</p><p>A lack of <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/06/being-human-means-assuming.html">responsibility</a> of students is the result of having <b>(1) </b>no direct supervision, resulting in <b>(2)</b> no set schedule, resulting in <b>(3)</b> no education Without <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-2-ds-discipline-and-direction.html">the 2-D's</a> (discipline and direction from either <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-best-thing-parents-can-do-for-their.html">parents</a> or <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/05/great-teachers-change-lives.html">teachers</a>), students will more than likely experience no education. The above observations are just some of the reasons why remote learning does not work. A literal classroom setting with a literal <a href="https://www.thefreedictionary.com/credentialed">credentialed</a> teacher works every time. Beloved, the principle is this: If something works, <b>don't fix it!</b> (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2017/04/mankind-has-got-to-change-stuff.html">see article</a>).</p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets</p><p><b>Related Article:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/07/does-covid-pandemic-spell-end-of-public.html">Does The Covid Pandemic Spell The End Of Public Schools?</a></li></ul><p></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-79325995476291099982020-10-17T13:54:00.002-06:002020-10-17T14:07:51.456-06:00Biblical Baptism—No. 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHA04ynfhDE/X4tLOIqdaFI/AAAAAAAAOhs/W58UViPuGHA-IzqVosvGJ6m_2YPFYv19QCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/Baptised%2BInto%2BChrist.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="300" height="152" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHA04ynfhDE/X4tLOIqdaFI/AAAAAAAAOhs/W58UViPuGHA-IzqVosvGJ6m_2YPFYv19QCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h152/Baptised%2BInto%2BChrist.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Mere men did not invent the Bible doctrine of baptism. Jesus, in the Great Commission (Mat. 28:19–20; Mark 16:15–16), is its author, and He alone has the right to specify its element, purpose, antecedents, action, candidates, and every other <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-many-facets-of-baptism.html">facet</a> of it. The New Testament is the exclusive source of this information.<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p>Is baptism for everyone (i.e., all who are capable of responding to the Gospel)? One correct answer is, “Yes.” The Great Commission indicates that the Lord wants everyone to hear, believe, and obey the Gospel, which includes baptism. However, another correct answer is, “No.” Millions should not be baptized, not because God arbitrarily wills it, but because they are unprepared and unqualified for the act. Scriptural statements abound indicating various ones who should not be baptized: </p><p><b>1. </b>Those who do not <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/07/faith-before-or-after-repentance.html">believe</a> in Jesus as the Christ:“For except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins (John 8:24). Baptism will not benefit the unbeliever.</p><p><b>2. </b>Those who will not <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/07/confession-of-christ-as-gods-son-right.html">confess</a> their faith, even though they may believe: Before Philip would baptize the Ethiopian, the evangelist required him to confess his faith (Acts 8:36–37; cf. Rom. 10:9–10). </p><p><b>3. </b>Those who will not <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/04/repent-or-perish.html">repent</a> of their sins: To repent means to determine to stop sinning and then to stop sinning. Those brought to believe in Christ by the preaching on Pentecost were told: “Repent ye and be baptized...”(Acts 2:38). Baptism is a hollow act if not preceded by repentance. </p><p><b>4. </b>Those who seek to please others rather than to obey Jesus: It is right for parents, a spouse, or a friend to strongly desire one to be baptized into Christ. However, if one submits to baptism merely to please others, rather than to submit to the will of Christ, the act is vain. Those on Pentecost “gladly received the word” (Acts 2:41). One’s <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/03/theres-password-to-gain-access-to-heaven.html">obedience</a> must be “from the heart” (Rom 6:17–18). </p><p><b>5. </b>Those who do not know, or who deny, the purpose of baptism: The Bible states this purpose variously. It is in order to: be saved (Mark 16: 16), receive remission of sins (Acts 2:38), wash away sins (22:16), put on Christ (Gal. 3:27), and like expressions. </p><p>Baptism is the line between those not forgiven and those <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-greatest-word.html">forgiven</a>, those not God’s spiritual children and those who are, those in the world and those in the church. If one does not comprehend the purpose of the Lord’s supper, he takes it in vain (1 Cor. 11:26, 29). So it is with baptism. Baptism is for believers who will confess their faith in Christ and repent of their sins—and who understand baptism’s purpose in God’s <a href="http://www.clovischurchofchrist.org/resources/the-plan-of-salvation">plan of salvation</a>. Those lacking these Scriptural antecedents are not Scriptural candidates for baptism. <i><b>---<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsTqQeo_pjw">Dub McClish</a>, <a href="http://TheScripturecache.com">TheScripturecache.com</a></b></i></p><p><b style="font-style: italic;">---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b>, Gospel Snippets<br /></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-28226363429345418962020-10-16T09:01:00.005-06:002020-10-16T12:22:24.744-06:00Those Who Move The World Forward<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bb2NHN9ciZY/X4mzNhUtJII/AAAAAAAAOhg/fR9WWOkeaPI3BzzRE2Jm_xE9ocwTuziQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s150/World-150x150.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bb2NHN9ciZY/X4mzNhUtJII/AAAAAAAAOhg/fR9WWOkeaPI3BzzRE2Jm_xE9ocwTuziQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/World-150x150.jpg" /></a></div> There is more truth in the following eight minute <i><b>YouTube</b></i> video than one might imagine: (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gCvmVpBqNg">see here</a>).<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><div>While this writer doesn't agree with everything presented in the above video, there is one thing that I totally agree with: Those folks who are "free thinkers"(see articles <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2019/01/who-are-really-smart-people-in-our.html">here</a> and <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/04/biblical-education-and-true-minority.html">here</a>) tend to <b>move the world forward</b> (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/02/people-with-passion-can-change-world.html">see here</a>) more than those folks who choose <b>not</b> to think at all (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/06/why-dont-people-think.html">see article</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Related Articles:</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/10/learning-to-think-for-ourselves.html">Learning To Think For Ourselves</a></li><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/10/lets-think-on-gods-word.html">Let's "Think" On God's Word!</a></li><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/09/think-and-do.html">"Think And Do"</a></li><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/05/lets-stop-strangling-ourselves.html">Let's Stop Strangling Ourselves!</a></li></ul></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-68095591975447587532020-10-13T15:06:00.003-06:002020-10-13T15:20:09.077-06:00Noting The Word "Safe" Or "Safety"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEe9PVf_Ko4/X4YVlMe10xI/AAAAAAAAOhU/FOpUR2YsrZUKpEs3QENEKOdL0YDY-IR9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s300/Safe%2BPlace%2BSign.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CEe9PVf_Ko4/X4YVlMe10xI/AAAAAAAAOhU/FOpUR2YsrZUKpEs3QENEKOdL0YDY-IR9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Safe%2BPlace%2BSign.jpg" /></a></div> In <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/12/texas-teachers-schools-reopening-pandemic/">this <i><b>The Texas Tribune</b></i> article</a>, note the word "<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/06/where-is-our-safe-room-located.html">safe</a>" or "<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/09/god-is-our-ultimate-security-system.html">safety</a>" is mentioned 17 times while the word "risk" is only mentioned once.<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p><b>Question:</b> Aren't we taking a "<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/05/are-you-willing-to-take-that-risk.html">risk</a>" each time we step outside our home? There are risks inside our homes as well (<a href="https://www.safewise.com/blog/safety-hazards-to-watch-out-for-around-the-house/#:~:text=%20Safety%20Hazards%20to%20Watch%20for%20around%20the,monoxide%20%28CO%29%20can%20cause%20headaches%20and...%20More%20">see article</a>).</p><p>Beloved, there's only <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akCa9fqzgQg">one place</a> this writer knows of where we are truly "safe." </p><p>It is this writer's firm belief that <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/04/what-lies-in-heart-of-great-teacher.html">teachers</a> need to go back to the <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/07/entering-gods-classroom.html">classroom</a> and do the job they were hired to do or go seek other employment. </p><p>Like <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/05/unemployment-kills-far-more-people-than.html">unemployment</a> (<a href="https://www.marketplace.org/2020/10/12/how-many-people-are-unemployed-right-now/">see article</a>, this coronavirus is going to be around for a long period of time.</p><div><b>---<i><a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></i></b>, Gospel Snippets<br /></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-86012769087001190022020-10-13T11:06:00.001-06:002020-10-13T11:27:49.285-06:00Knowledge Plus Experience Equals Success<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ioD-ZhI29M/X4XZ4u6RhTI/AAAAAAAAOhI/PijCyaVruHU5vJOdSpLPWqmrmHVVtzjCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s239/Knowledge%2BAnd%2BExperience.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ioD-ZhI29M/X4XZ4u6RhTI/AAAAAAAAOhI/PijCyaVruHU5vJOdSpLPWqmrmHVVtzjCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Knowledge%2BAnd%2BExperience.jpg" /></a></div> For the past two weeks, this writer has been having home repairs done to the south end of my house due to the wear and tear caused by the elements of wind and rain over the past thirty years. Fortunately, two years ago, I found a man and wife team who are <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/07/an-honest-mans-word-is-as-good-as-his.html">honest</a> to a fault, have an excellent <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/06/having-right-work-ethic.html">work ethic</a> (they trim the excess limbs on my two trees every year), and had the knowledge and experience to successfully restore the outside of my home to a pristine condition.<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p>Boarding needed to be replaced on the chimney section, as well as two eaves on the east side of the house. Painting was needed, not only on the chimney and the two eave boarding section, but also on the front of the garage doors as well. Weather stripping was installed on the door leading to the <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/08/theres-no-place-for-clutter.html">garage</a> in order to prevent winter's cold air from coming inside the house and increasing my monthly heating bill. Shower doors were removed because they could never be fully cleaned because of constant mold and mildew.</p><p>My man and wife team had the <b>knowledge and experience</b> to know which building supply stores to go to and what materials to purchase in order to successfully complete the building restoration project. Because of their knowledge and experience, they provided me with <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/09/quietness.html">peace of mind</a>, knowing that the project would be done <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2019/12/why-do-you-have-to-be-right-all-of-time.html">right</a>.</p><p>Beloved, the late <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/09/two-insightful-rules-of-successful.html">Steve Jobs</a> believed in the principle of surrounding yourself with people smarter than yourself because that provides you with less <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-choices-we-make.html">choices</a>, resulting in less <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/06/living-successfully-in-stressful-world.html">stress</a> (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/05/less-choices-less-stress.html">see article</a>). </p><p>The bottom line to all of the above thoughts is this: <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-war-against-knowledge.html">Knowledge</a> plus <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/01/to-fail-to-plan-is-to-plan-to-fail.html">experience</a> (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/11/going-through-school-of-hard-knocks.html">see here</a>) equals <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/06/warren-buffetts-top-10-rules-for-success.html">success</a>. </p><p>Let's "<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/09/think-and-do.html">think</a>" about it!</p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel snippets<span> </span><br /></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-36457860913525362562020-10-10T12:03:00.003-06:002020-10-10T14:55:36.421-06:00There's Only Three Things Liberal Bureaucrats Produce<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ndmLE3RFN2M/X4Hykia9pLI/AAAAAAAAOg8/vequs3yrTlk6DzIqIQJpq4JYBPeGyWtoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s269/Bureaucrats.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="269" height="134" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ndmLE3RFN2M/X4Hykia9pLI/AAAAAAAAOg8/vequs3yrTlk6DzIqIQJpq4JYBPeGyWtoQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h134/Bureaucrats.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> After reading <a href="https://dilbert.com/strip/2020-10-10">today's Dilbert cartoon</a>, and through personal experience, this writer has come to the following conclusion: There's only three things liberal <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-striking-similarity-between-todays.html">bureaucrats</a> produce:<span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p><b>1)</b> <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/08/misery-is.html">Misery</a></p><p><b>2)</b> <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/10/envy-is-as-rottenness-of-bones.html">Heartache</a></p><p><b>3)</b> <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/05/what-about-pain-why-is-there-evil.html">Pain</a></p><p>Plus the fact, there is no <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-value-of-work.html">work</a> <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/12/lifes-supermarket.html">incentive</a> to <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/03/are-we-doing-better.html">do better</a> today than the day before.</p><p>Let's <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/10/lets-think-on-gods-word.html">think</a> about it, go <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/10/lets-hug-someone-today.html">hug someone</a>, then have a wonderful <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2019/11/to-whom-much-is-given.html">God-blessed</a> Saturday!</p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets<br /></p><p><b>Related Article:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2017/03/avoiding-unnecessary-heartache-misery.html">Avoiding Unnecessary Heartache, Misery, And Pain</a></li></ul><p></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-78662895538200778062020-10-08T16:29:00.002-06:002020-10-09T18:58:59.851-06:00Another Ploy Of Satan<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w4U-EQQxNfs/X3-Qrm_ErKI/AAAAAAAAOgk/2q8rcyDnovEizHn-g9kB0uZBPPsgMS8xwCLcBGAsYHQ/s270/Satan%2527s%2BTrap.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w4U-EQQxNfs/X3-Qrm_ErKI/AAAAAAAAOgk/2q8rcyDnovEizHn-g9kB0uZBPPsgMS8xwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Satan%2527s%2BTrap.jpg" /></a></div> After reading Bruce Deitrick Price's <i><b>American Thinker</b></i> article <a href="https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2020/10/k12_sightwords_are_a_sick_joke.html">here</a>, this writer's conclusion is that sight-words are not only a sick joke, as Mr. Price states in his article heading, but another <a href="https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/ploy">ploy</a> of Satan designed to keep young children (and even adults) <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/04/is-ignorance-really-bliss.html">ignorant </a>of God's word simply because they have been taught the <a href="http://www.improve-education.org/id66.html">sight-word</a> reading method rather than the <a href="https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/phonics">phonics</a> reading method.<span></span><p></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>The following is a quote from the above linked phonics definition: "<i><b>Phonics is a way of teaching beginning readers to match letters and sounds. By associating letters with sounds, phonics helps people hear and say the words they’re seeing on the page.</b></i>" <a href="https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/reading-issues/phonics-rules-for-reading-and-spelling">Here</a> are 15 phonics rules for reading and spelling that will facilitate any individual's ability to read, whether young or old.</p><p>Did you know that of the 810,697 words of the King James Version of the Bible, there are only 6,000 different words, and the average length of those words is <b>fewer than five letters</b>? (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-simplicity-of-gospel.html">see article</a>). And did you know that the average Bible reading level is 6th grade? (depending on which Bible version one uses).</p><p>Folks might be surprised at how much of the Bible they would <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/07/when-you-read-you-may-understand.html">understand</a> "<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/08/looking-at-little-word-if.html">if</a>" they would <i><b>just take the <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/01/we-have-time-for-what-we-make-time-for.html">time</a> to read it</b></i> (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3%3A1-4&version=NKJV">Ephesians 3:1-4</a>) No wonder the apostle Paul spoke of the “<i><b>simplicity that is in Christ</b></i>” (2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV).</p><p>Beloved, this writer encourages you and your children to read and study your Bible <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/04/why-study-bible.html">every day</a> (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+1%3A1-3%3B+Acts+17%3A11%3B+2+Timothy+2%3A15&version=ASV">Psalm 1:1-3; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15</a> ASV). Also note <a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+78%3A1-8&version=NKJV">Psalm 78:1-8</a>. You’ll be able to easily understand everything contained within its pages that is <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-essential-nature-of-gospel.html">essential</a> to your <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/02/salvation-defined.html">salvation</a> (<a href="https://www.ucanbsure.org/course/course3.shtml">see article</a>). The Bible becomes complicated <b>only</b> because <a href="http://forthright.net/2011/11/07/complicated/">men make it so</a>! (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A15-16&version=NLT">2 Peter 3:15-16</a> NLT – <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/jamieson-fausset-brown/2-peter/2-peter-3.html">see commentary</a>).</p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets<br /></p><p><b>Related Article:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-lost-art-of-meditation.html">The Lost Art Of Meditation</a></li></ul><p></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-54804529402181232062020-10-07T20:29:00.003-06:002020-10-07T20:55:52.141-06:00There's A New Religion In Town<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--aV-meTrzno/X35zfSuHKrI/AAAAAAAAOgY/iQLgwh08CmorEu69AciHp1fOpd0sV6odwCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/Religions.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="298" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--aV-meTrzno/X35zfSuHKrI/AAAAAAAAOgY/iQLgwh08CmorEu69AciHp1fOpd0sV6odwCLcBGAsYHQ/w199-h200/Religions.jpg" width="199" /></a></div> After reading <a href="https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2020/10/the_cult_of_covidism_has_invaded_the_church.html">this <i><b>American Thinker</b></i> article</a>, this writer has determined there's a new religion in town based on the political-religious <a href="https://www.thefreedictionary.com/cult">cult</a> (see 1. a.) of Covidism. According to the above article, this cult came into being because quote: "<i><b>Covidism was purported to be based on science. But it is actually an offshoot of the religion of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientism">scientism</a>, which elevates speculative metaphysics and mystery rituals on the basis of scientific-sounding but untested <a href="https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/supposition">suppositions</a></b></i>" (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientism">see #1</a> under the heading "Overview" and note the following statement: "<i><b>It includes an excessive deference to the claims of scientists or an uncritical eagerness to accept any result described as scientific.</b></i>"<span></span><p></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>In the above description and definition, this writer comes to the only <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/07/biblical-faith-and-evidence.html">logical conclusion</a> that can be arrived at: That the cult of Covidism is nothing more than "<i><b>an eagerness to accept any result described as scientific.</b></i>" In other words, the willing acceptance of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoscience">Pseudoscience</a> (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+6%3A20&version=ASV">1 Timothy 6:20</a> ASV).</p><p>Beloved, as Christians, we have been <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/04/we-have-been-entrusted-with-gospel-of.html">entrusted</a> with the gospel of Christ ..... the gospel that is based, not only on <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2017/07/dont-confuse-me-with-facts.html">factual evidence</a>, but on the <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2017/11/whatever-happened-to-premise-of-being.html">testimony of reliable witnesses</a> ..... <b>not</b> on any "<i><b>scientific-sounding but untested suppositions</b></i>" (see above first paragraph). </p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets<br /></p><p><b>Related Articles:</b></p><p></p><ul><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2019/08/fickle-subjectivism.html">Fickle Subjectivism</a></li><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-superiority-of-gods-truth-over-mans.html">The Superiority Of God's Truth Over Man's Opinions</a></li><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/05/divine-prophecy-provides-overwhelming.html">Divine Prophecy Provides Overwhelming Evidence!</a></li></ul><p></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-81794537161569628592020-10-07T10:15:00.012-06:002020-11-22T19:37:46.833-07:00Our Feelings Of Connection, Of Empathy, Of Trust<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aaejbt8suWc/X33nbdApVAI/AAAAAAAAOgM/Xh77eQtBkSkcuWrKfZ19ngnHlMg6XIwgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s150/Hugging-150x150.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aaejbt8suWc/X33nbdApVAI/AAAAAAAAOgM/Xh77eQtBkSkcuWrKfZ19ngnHlMg6XIwgQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/Hugging-150x150.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> As I watched <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/what-happens-to-humans-when-we-cant-touch/p08t9jsj">this <i><b>BBC</b></i> video</a> regarding the question, "<b>What happens to humans when we can't touch?</b>" I noticed the above titled words in the video. The results of not being able to touch another human being, i.e. <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/10/lets-hug-someone-today.html">hugging</a>, will slowly degrade our connection with other people, our empathy toward other people, and our lack of trust toward other people. These slowly vanishing traits are exactly what our society is experiencing because of <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/04/social-distancing-isnt-religion.html">social distancing</a> rules. <div><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><br /></div><div>The above video also points out that if we deprive an animal's ability to touch, they literally become sick, in the mind (caused by anxiety), their lifespan is reduced, and they become less healthy (<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pets-and-their-people/201211/the-bond-between-pet-and-owner">see article</a>).<p></p><p>In <a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201006-why-touch-matters-more-than-ever-in-the-time-of-covid-19">this <i><b>BBC</b></i> article</a> entitled, "<i><b>Are we in the midst of a touch crisis?</b></i>".....the point is brought out that "<i><b>For those who like touch, their well-being levels were higher if they had been touched recently.</b></i>" The sad results of the COVID-19 lockdowns regarding families is that [quote]: "<i style="font-weight: bold;">While you might expect families who spent a lot of time together in </i><a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/05/the-lockdown-dilemma/" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">lockdown</a><i style="font-weight: bold;"> (</i><a href="https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2020/11/lockdowns_are_serial_killers_end_them_now.html">see article</a><i style="font-weight: bold;">) to have more opportunity than usual to comfort each other physically, Field found that only a fifth of parents said they were hugging, holding and kissing their children more.</i>"</p><p>Beloved, the bottom line is this: God created human beings — <b>not </b>to be <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-word-together-versus-social.html">socially distanced</a>, but to be <a href="https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/gregarious">gregarious</a> people. Our society's <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/04/people-are-starving-for-face-to-face.html">lack of connection</a> with other people, is causing a lack of <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-worldwide-need-for-empathy.html">empathy</a> and <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/09/trust-me-trust-me-not.html">trust</a>. Without these characteristics, the saving <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/05/comparing-social-gospel-with-gospel-of.html">gospel of Christ</a> becomes more difficult to <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2019/06/americas-moral-decay_1.html">promote</a> in a world filled with <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-power-of-hate.html">hatred</a> and <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-digital-age-why-were-not-moving.html">distrust</a>.</p><p>Let's seriously "<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/06/why-dont-people-think.html">think</a>" about the above thoughts and then become a more gregarious people by getting out of our houses and loving our <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/11/lets-be-good-neighbor.html">neighbor</a> as ourselves (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A36-40&version=NKJV">Matthew 22:36-40</a>).</p><p><i><b><a href="https://twitter.com/home">---Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets <br /> <span> </span></p></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-7908662600012611622020-10-01T15:41:00.010-06:002020-10-02T08:52:45.284-06:00Presidential Debate And The Reaction Of The World's Media<p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vd_Vhf7e3Qs/X3ZHvW7kKTI/AAAAAAAAOf8/z33UxKY-d6s3x-118crC8VvrYlSTXpB3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/World%2BNewspaper.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vd_Vhf7e3Qs/X3ZHvW7kKTI/AAAAAAAAOf8/z33UxKY-d6s3x-118crC8VvrYlSTXpB3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/World%2BNewspaper.jpg" /></a> The above heading (see <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54354405"><i><b>BBC News</b></i> article</a>) can be answered in the following manner: We (America) are the laughing stock of the world. <span></span></p><a name='more'></a>Or as the Times in the UK wrote: "<i><b>The clearest loser from the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was America</b></i>" (<a href="https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2020/10/tuesdays_big_debate_losers_chris_wallace_.html">see article</a>).<p></p><p>This writer's assessment is that the first debate (I did not watch it but read the news media results) was just another sad day in the steady <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/03/america-is-on-road-to-declinistan.html">decline</a> of our <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/07/america-is-not-great.html">once great</a> nation (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/11/all-nations-that-forget-god.html">see here</a>). Both President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden reminded me of two third graders arguing on a school playground as to who is going to acquire the most marbles in a marble game.</p><p>Needless to say, the reaction of the world's media was mostly negative in nature.</p><p><b>Lord, come quickly!</b> (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+22%3A20&version=NKJV">Revelation 22:20</a>).</p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets<br /></p><div><b>Related Article:</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/03/do-you-really-want-to-save-america.html">"Do You Really Want To Save America?"</a></li></ul></div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-19172652155685308872020-09-29T20:43:00.002-06:002020-09-29T20:43:38.821-06:00Until I See The Whites Of Their Eyes<p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3BosPvOFocM/X3PrtyXKTQI/AAAAAAAAOfw/W_dGiriU0FAE10LHZkgyWvNGkM-a_3nMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s137/Eyes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="91" data-original-width="137" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3BosPvOFocM/X3PrtyXKTQI/AAAAAAAAOfw/W_dGiriU0FAE10LHZkgyWvNGkM-a_3nMQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h213/Eyes.jpeg" width="320" /></a> In dealing with people who make <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/09/trust-me-trust-me-not.html">promises</a>, such as being at a certain place at a certain time, this writer has learned to not believe a soul until I see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201411/the-whites-your-eyes-convey-subconscious-truths">the whites of their eyes</a>. This is another sad commentary on our <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2017/11/folks-you-just-cant-make-this-stuff-up.html">ungodly</a> and <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/08/go-with-jesus.html">untrusting</a> society.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a>Beloved, being punctual is one indicator of how <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2017/01/dependability-character-trait-quickly.html">dependable</a> an individual is. If we are not punctual, we are simply not dependable (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-vanishing-character-trait-of.html">see here</a>).<p></p><p>Let's seriously "<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/06/why-dont-people-think.html">think</a>" about it.</p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets</p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-66558377704591610472020-09-26T06:15:00.003-06:002020-09-26T21:16:02.549-06:00Judaism Restored?<p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8WUHkRFDIg/X28pLX1a2YI/AAAAAAAAOfk/hb8zyzPafV4gusrPCsUzmpN2XMxB5QhlACLcBGAsYHQ/s297/Premillennialism%2BFalse%2BTeaching.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="297" height="129" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8WUHkRFDIg/X28pLX1a2YI/AAAAAAAAOfk/hb8zyzPafV4gusrPCsUzmpN2XMxB5QhlACLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h129/Premillennialism%2BFalse%2BTeaching.jpg" width="200" /></a> One of the strangest facets of the dispensational premillennial system of theology includes a restoration of the <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/07/by-what-authority.html">authority</a> of the law of Moses. According to this system: </p><p></p><p>•After the alleged 7-year “<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-study-of-rapture.html">Rapture</a>,” Jesus will return to Jerusalem.</p><p>•He will there allegedly establish an earthly kingdom of 1,000 years’ duration (the “millennial” part of <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-doctrinal-disaster-of.html">premillennialism</a>). </p><p>•When He does so, they affirm that all of the Jews will return to the land of Israel and will be converted to Christ. </p><p>•The Law of Moses, the Aaronic priesthood, temple worship, animal offerings, feast days, sabbath keeping, circumcision, and all the rest, will be reinstated, they avow. </p><p>While the whole premillennial system is contrary to explicit Bible teaching, the claim that the law of Moses will be reinstated has to be one of the most blatantly and outrageously anti-Biblical doctrines ever invented. To believe such, its advocates must completely blind themselves to the following teachings of the Bible: </p><p>•The <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/05/why-teach-principal-purposes-of-old.html">old covenant</a> (law of Moses) prophesied and anticipated a new, superior covenant (Jer. 31:31–34). </p><p>•Our New Testament is that new, superior covenant, which is “a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises” (Heb. 8:6–12). </p><p>•The old covenant (and its appurtenances) was faulty, and its Levitical priesthood was imperfect (7:7, 11) for man’s salvation. It was characterized by “weakness and unprofitableness”; it “made nothing perfect” (vv. 18b–19). </p><p>•It was “disannulled” (v. 18a). Jesus took “away the first [covenant],”in order to “establish the second” (10:9). He did so at Calvary, “blotting out” the law, symbolically nailing it to His cross (Col. 2:14). Jesus’ testament/covenant achieved its force upon His death (Heb. 9:15–17). </p><p>•Moses’ Law was a <b>temporary</b> measure from the start, given until Christ, the promised seed of Abraham, should come (Gal. 3:16–19). It served as a “tutor/<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-function-of-schoolmaster.html">schoolmaster</a>” to prepare the Jews for the coming of Christ (v. 24). It was a “yoke of bondage” (5:1; Acts 15:10). </p><p>Galatians and Hebrews were written to prevent Jewish Christians from abandoning the final, superior Gospel of Christ for the <b>temporary</b>, inferior <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/07/how-did-christ-fulfill-law-of-moses.html">Law of Moses</a>. <b><i>Reinstituting Moses’Law would be the supreme spiritual anti-climax,replacing the redeeming blood of Christ with that of bulls and goats, which cannot take away sin (Heb. 10:4).</i></b> <i><b>---<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsTqQeo_pjw">Dub McClish</a>, <a href="http://TheScripturecache.com">TheScripturecache.com</a></b></i></p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets</p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-57837068896485093602020-09-22T15:20:00.006-06:002020-09-22T15:31:24.568-06:00The Men And Women In White Coats<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY21ANWg0wA/X2pok-4YHoI/AAAAAAAAOfY/hNxYWG67Sz0gXqYgbBz6jisHW4Sx2z1FwCLcBGAsYHQ/s290/Men%2Band%2BWomen%2Bin%2Bwhite%2Buniforms.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="290" height="88" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY21ANWg0wA/X2pok-4YHoI/AAAAAAAAOfY/hNxYWG67Sz0gXqYgbBz6jisHW4Sx2z1FwCLcBGAsYHQ/w185-h88/Men%2Band%2BWomen%2Bin%2Bwhite%2Buniforms.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>As I read <a href="https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2020/09/governments_covid_response_makes_us_all_subjects_in_a_cruel_experiment.html">this American Thinker article</a> this morning, I thought about what former President Ronald Reagan stated in<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IlcDvXaUCw"> this YouTube video</a> regarding government and its role in people's lives. <span><a name='more'></a></span><span></span>Regarding government, less is always more (more money for the taxpayer and less intrusion into people's lives). <br /><div><br /></div><div>Note the first question in the above article, "<i><b>Are human beings able to defy an authority's orders?</b></i>" (see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment">Milgram experiment</a>).</div><div><br />Beloved, the simple Bible answer is that as Christians, we have the moral obligation to follow the law of God even if it means legal consequences for us (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-law-of-land-versus-law-of-god.html">see here</a>).<br /><br />Rest assured, the men and women in white coats who violate God's law, both in thought and in deed will one day be judged by the same God and law (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/07/seven-aspects-of-coming-judgment-of-god.html">see here</a>). <br /><br />---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a>, Gospel Snippets<br /> </div>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-1196452458173903952020-09-19T19:42:00.000-06:002020-09-19T19:42:43.956-06:00Was Jesus Mistaken?<p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c0s26XA5ADs/X2awm1Qh3mI/AAAAAAAAOe0/H-mnOzPRNfoiAmKleAKrl17uCbQpvOZxACLcBGAsYHQ/s300/Jesus%2BChrist%2BIs%2BThe%2BSame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c0s26XA5ADs/X2awm1Qh3mI/AAAAAAAAOe0/H-mnOzPRNfoiAmKleAKrl17uCbQpvOZxACLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/Jesus%2BChrist%2BIs%2BThe%2BSame.jpg" /></a>Ten centuries before Jesus’ birth, the prophet Nathan, on behalf of Jehovah, told David that He would set one of David’s seed upon his throne in an eternal kingdom (2 Sam. 7:12–13). Five centuries later, Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that, in the days of the Roman Emperors, God would set up a kingdom that would never be destroyed but would also stand forever (Dan. 2:44).</p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>Rome ruled the world at the time the angel Gabriel told Mary she was to conceive by means of the Holy Spirit, and that her son would also be the Son of God. Gabriel also stated that God would fulfill in Jesus Nathan’s promise concerning David’s throne and an everlasting kingdom (Luke 1:26–35). The clear implication of Gabriel’s message was that the establishment of Jesus’ everlasting kingdom would coincide with His initial appearance among men. Such was the unquestionable understanding of Jesus Himself.<p></p><p> •Jesus preached, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat. 4:17), as John did before Him (3:2). Jesus initially sent the twelve and the seventy to preach the same message (10:7; Luke 10:9). At hand means “nearby,” “within reach.” Did the Son of God preach, and authorize others to preach, a lie? Did He make a mistake? </p><p>•Jesus went about preaching “the gospel [good news] of the kingdom” (9:35). Did He intentionally, or even ignorantly, raise false hopes in his hearers? Was He mistaken? •Jesus told the apostles some of them would live to “see the kingdom come with power” (Mark 9:1). Did He mislead them? Did He make a mistake? •Jesus told Peter He would give to him the “keys of the kingdom” (Mat. 16:19). If the kingdom was not established in Peter’s lifetime, he could hardly use the “keys” Jesus promised to give him. Did He make an empty promise to Peter? Was He mistaken? </p><p>•Jesus instituted His supper, which was to be eaten and drunk in His kingdom (Luke 22:19–20, 29–30). The apostles understood themselves to be in the kingdom, for they observed the supper (1 Cor. 11:17–32). Did Jesus lead them astray about their being in the kingdom? The kingdom came “with power” in the lifetime of Jesus’ contemporaries (Acts 2:1–47). As people obeyed the Gospel, they were ”delivered...out of the power of darkness, and translated...into the kingdom of the Son...” (Col. 1:13). </p><p>To deny that the kingdom came in the first century is to affirm that Jesus was mistaken when he declared and commissioned others to declare that it was near them and that it would come in their lifetimes. Jesus could not be the Savior of mankind if He made a mistake. <i><b>---</b></i><i><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsTqQeo_pjw">Dub </a></b></i><i><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsTqQeo_pjw">McClish</a>, <a href="http://TheScripturecache.com">TheScripturecache.com</a></b></i></p><p><b style="font-style: italic;">---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a>,</b> Gospel Snippets</p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-43976917072816149062020-09-18T16:11:00.001-06:002020-09-18T16:24:39.943-06:00When Will Americans No Longer Sit, Stay, And Roll Over?<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="237" height="170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IMcyXsL-9IY/X2UuDQxAUcI/AAAAAAAAOeo/VRNEHTZY3XcrC243ezrr05gbFH9ULMvMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w286-h170/Dog%2BCommands.jpg" width="286" /></p></div><p> After reading <a href="https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2020/09/sit_stay_and_roll_over_america.html">this <i><b>American Thinker</b></i> article</a>, and its accurate and graphic description of our society's fear factor (see <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/09/meeting-fear-with-faith.html">here</a>, <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/01/fear-and-faith-contrasted.html">here</a>, and <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/03/fear-ye-not.html">here</a>) caused by the <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/03/coronavirus-versus-sting-of-sin.html">coronavirus</a> <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/08/because-of-this-coronavirus-pandemic.html">pandemic</a>, and after much misinformation from governments around the world regarding the virus, and after "<i><b>Local gover</b></i><i><b>nment officials have grown ever more a</b></i><i><b>ddicted to and drunk on power .....</b></i><i><b> by training Americans lik</b></i><i><b>e dog</b></i><i><b>s to Sit, Stay, and Roll Over</b></i>" ..... this writer is wondering <b>when will Americans no longer sit, stay, and roll over?</b></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p>Prayerfully, it will be sooner rather than later.</p><p>In addition to the above article, the <b>Comment Section</b> is also well worth our viewing. I especially enjoyed the honesty found in Alecto's comment:</p><p>"<i><b>The Sheep in this country are bred, not born. They are the result of decades of public/government <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/06/why-isnt-personal-finance-taught-in.html">indoctrination</a> efforts. The sooner parents are free to send their children to the school of their choice, the sooner the indoctrinated goon squads will disappear.</b></i>"</p><p>Beloved, let's cease being worldly <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-sheep-hear-my-voice.html">sheep</a> and be willing to take a "<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/10/brethren-lets-take-stand.html">stand</a>" in doing <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/10/doing-right-because-it-is-right.html">what we know is right</a>, and that includes the church as well (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-church-shape-up-stand-up-speak-up.html">see here</a>). </p><p><i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets<br /></p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-58908875038166030622020-09-16T21:38:00.009-06:002020-11-28T16:52:27.192-07:00Given Enough Time<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WtkKkHBqdqc/X2LXLV0nk2I/AAAAAAAAOeY/xuhrgzN05LU3huNgBW_EU6-7hTZzdtJSACLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/Time-Clock-150x150.jpg" width="200" /></p></div><p> After watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayp0V1wSJCs">this</a> nine minute <i><b>YouTube</b></i> video regarding why and how the <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/12/on-new-years-resolutions-5g-networks.html">5G Network</a> will eventually change the world, this writer truly believes that given enough time, and without God's intervention (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3&version=NKJV">2 Peter 3</a>), mankind would eventually destroy itself (see <a href="https://www.iflscience.com/space/stephen-hawking-warns-humanity-could-destroy-itself-next-100-years/">here</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/humanity-destroy-itself-before-sun-will-avi-loeb-2019-11">here</a>). Paul warns of the possibility in <a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galations+5%3A12-15&version=NKJV">Galations 5:12-15</a> (note vs. 15 - <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/07/on-biting-and-devouring-one-another.html">see article</a>).</p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>The simple reason being that mankind has developed far too many worldly devices (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-stranger.html">digital toys</a>) designed to <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2017/04/satan-master-distractor.html">distract</a> him from recognizing and being <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/03/theres-password-to-gain-access-to-heaven.html">obedient</a> to the sovereign Creator God of the universe (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A21%3B+Romans+6%3A17-18&version=NKJV">Matthew 7:21; Romans 6:17-18</a> -- also see <a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1%3A18-22&version=NKJV">Romans 1:18-22</a> and <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/05/keeping-christianity-as-moral-bedrock.html">this article</a>).<span></span><p></p><p>Yes, the 5G Network will definitely <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/02/people-with-passion-can-change-world.html">change the world</a>, but <b>not</b> for the <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/07/gods-way-is-always-better.html">better</a>.</p><p>I'm thankful that <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2020/03/seventy-six-years-and-some-personal.html">at my age</a> (76), <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/09/elvis-has-left-building-and-so-will-we.html">my exit</a> from this old <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2018/10/sin-virus-that-effects-both-mind-and.html">sin infested</a> world is not long in coming (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/11/life-is-indeed-short.html">see article</a>).</p><p>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a>, Gospel Snippets</p>Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6698615539400037405.post-58056625897838817852020-09-16T10:11:00.007-06:002020-09-16T15:55:35.245-06:00A Freeze On Homework — Why?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daNyDl6h1ys/X2I1rJO7K8I/AAAAAAAAOeM/lc6SC_ZtRPsoBy7-7xkIZBfFOFKi9CmWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s291/Homework.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="291" height="124" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-daNyDl6h1ys/X2I1rJO7K8I/AAAAAAAAOeM/lc6SC_ZtRPsoBy7-7xkIZBfFOFKi9CmWQCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h124/Homework.jpg" width="200" /></a> After reading <a href="https://kfoxtv.com/news/back-to-school/el-paso-isd-puts-freeze-on-homework-during-virtual-learning">this <i><b>KFOX-14</b></i> article</a>, regarding the El Paso School District's freeze on homework in order to reduce unnecessary <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2016/10/whats-stress-free-living-all-about.html">stress</a>, the question this writer has is, why bother with learning at all if there is no homework? And as far as learning is concerned, there will always be some stress (it's called mental "<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/04/god-requires-effort-not-results.html">effort</a>" and yes, it's <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-value-of-work.html">work</a>!).<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Homework is a reinforcement of whatever children are learning in a classroom environment. Homework is not "<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/06/having-right-work-ethic.html">busy work</a>" as some folks might think, but is a tool designed to indelibly place whatever information is being taught by the teacher in the learning center of the mind to be recalled at a later time. The school district's "experts in learning" (<a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-little-laughter-for-soul-and-word.html">here</a> is a good definition of the word "expert") obviously do not fully understand the value of reinforcing the learning process through repetition, i.e. homework.<br />
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In Romans 2:17-22, the Apostle Paul states, "<i><b>Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on </b></i><i><b>the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?</b></i><br />
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What Paul is saying in his above response to the Jews, is that when we teach someone the gospel of Christ, are we not reinforcing our own <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2017/06/teaching-people-how-to-learn-and-how-to.html">learning process</a>? Look at the above questions that Paul asks. To ask the above questions is to answer the above questions <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/08/looking-at-little-word-if.html">if </a>an individual has truly <b>learned</b> the answers through constant study and repetition, making application of them in their daily living (<a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A15%3B+Acts+17%3A11&version=NKJV">2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11</a>).<br />
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<b>Question:</b> How can we as God's people do what <a href="https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+78%3A1-8&version=NKJV">Psalm 78:1-8</a> instructs us to do if we don't teach ourselves and the lost-in-sin folks the <a href="https://gospelsnippets.blogspot.com/2015/07/i-will-never-forget-your-precepts.html">precepts</a> found in God's Word? The simple answer is that we cannot. Now do we see the value of homework?<br />
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<i><b>---<a href="https://twitter.com/home">Mike Riley</a></b></i>, Gospel Snippets</div>
Mike Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477749126710104836noreply@blogger.com0