Jots and Tittles - Christian Blogging - Jesus' social network - Superbowl

Jots and Tittles – February 2, 2007

Christian Blogging – Jesus’ Social Network (Data Visualization) – Church Superbowl Parties -- (Beware)




First is a link and a blog I ran across during the course of looking for something else. That’s my usual way of finding things – looking for one thing and following the white rabbit down the hole until I am way off on a tangent and spending time on subjects I had no ....

But, I digress….

Where was I? Oh yeah, I found this post on a Christian blog site that I thought presented both a challenge and a practical solution to blogging on Christian-related topics in a world that is decidedly neutral about Christ, if not hostile.

Here is the link: http://www.esv.org/blog/2007/01/being.dugg

And here is the post. It is a little long, perhaps, but worth the time to read:

Being Dugg
Last week’s post on New Testament social networks appeared on the front page of news site Digg over the weekend, giving us a month’s worth of traffic in a few days’ time. We want to reflect on what happens when a Christian blog experiences a fleeting burst of popularity from non-Christian or even anti-Christian sources.
Unlike some sites, this blog doesn’t focus on evangelism. It doesn’t overtly try to convert you to Christianity, largely because we assume that most of you are already Christian or at least sympathetic to Christianity. But every public Christian endeavor has an element of evangelism—you can’t help it: non-Christians watch your actions, hear your words, note your attitude.
Blogging magnifies this scrutiny. Anyone from anywhere in the world can come across any of your posts for any reason. What impression do you leave? Are your visitors, if Christian, encouraged or strengthened in their faith? If non-Christian, do they leave without thinking less of Christians, Christ, or the church?
Living a Christian life is a heavy burden (and, paradoxically, a freeing one). We’re not holding this blog up as a model by any means—but if you wonder why we don’t court controversy by getting involved in disputes or why we don’t respond forcefully to ESV critics, it’s because we do our best to cultivate our blogging around ethics of love, meekness, and generosity. (And we’re not saying that we always succeed.)
Tim Challies recently wrote about talking to the secular press about the church, a topic with parallels to blogging:
I don’t know of many people who would talk to the press about the problems in their families. If I found that a local reporter was attempting to write a negative story about my wife, and if she approached me asking me for stories about Aileen that she could use, I would never help her! I would explain that I love my wife and would never do anything to hurt her. Likewise, I love the church, for we are a family, and I would be very hesitant to air out her dirty laundry in front of the world.
Similar principles apply to blogging, but blogging is more direct, immediate, and raw than talking to the media. You don’t need to think about what you’re saying—you can simply write it up and press “Publish” for everyone to see. The long tail of the Christian blogosphere is full of comments that (we hope) people wouldn’t say to fellow Christians face-to-face. Something about digital communication suppresses the better angels of our nature.
We’re not arguing that you should avoid saying anything critical or controversial on your blog or stop discussing sin—sin is the human condition. You can’t have repentance and salvation without sin. Rather, we ask you to consider how your words will sound both to your regular audience and to random visitors. Your blog is a microphone to the world. If you could say one thing to thousands of people at a stroke, would it be your latest blog post?
Many of you read 1 Corinthians 13 in church this Sunday. It applies as much to blogging as it does to other areas of the Christian life. An excerpt:

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love is not arrogant or rude, but rejoices with the truth. If only we always lived up to our ideals.
We’re going on at length about this topic because of some of the reactions we got to our Dugg post as it made its way into the wider blogosphere. First, we want to make clear that we appreciate all the positive comments we received.
At times, however, the intrinsic Christianity of our post ran into the casual atheism prevalent in the tech blogosphere. What struck us was the offhand treatment of the New Testament as a work of fiction, typified by a comment (beware coarse language if you follow the link) on Digg that lumped the New Testament with “Dune and Galactica [science-fiction universes] and other popular tales of fiction.” Other commenters didn’t restrain their outright hostility to the Bible.
Our post didn’t address (and probably couldn’t have adequately addressed) the concerns that these people had, yet we hope that God has used and will use the post to his glory. We wish you well if you feel called to minister to the tech blogosphere; you have your work cut out for you.
Even if you don’t consider your blog a ministry, it serves as one. And, as we found out, you never know when one of your posts will become popular or how people will interpret you. We try to keep James 3 in mind as we blog:

Not many of you should become teachers [or bloggers], my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body… but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so….
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom…. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

We ask your forgiveness when we don’t live up to these principles. We’re constantly amazed (and grateful) at how God uses sinful human beings for his glory. We praise God for whatever small contribution we make to his kingdom; at the same time, we’re thankful for each one of you and for the parts that you play, whatever they may be.


2. Jesus’ Social Network – A visualization

OK, I’m still working through this one, but if you are interested in seeing how different persons in the New Testament were linked to Jesus, this site is worth a look. I can’t describe it in words, exactly. It is a very visual thing.

http://www.esv.org/blog/2007/01/mapping.nt.social.networks

http://services.alphaworks.ibm.com/manyeyes/page/FAQ.html;jsessionid=4468CBF4C54F47F2EC720A354FD568BA

(Looks like I've messed up the HTML formatting on the last two links. Just cut and paste the link in a new browser window and you should be good to go.)

3. Finally, for you guys with the 55 inch TV’s or projections screens who want to have some friends over for the Superbowl, don’t get flagged on the play by the NFL cops. It appears that watching the “Big Game” on the large TV’s is considered a “public performance”, which is, of course, “out of bounds” according to the NFL.

The Link:

http://techdirt.com/articles/20070201/140812.shtml

The Article:

NFL Wants To Remind You That Having People Over To Watch The Super Bowl On A Big Screen Is Copyright Infringement
from the laws-written-by-lobbyists dept
What is it with sports leagues and their desire to limit how their fans can enjoy the game? There's Major League Baseball, who keeps trying to insist that they own the facts related to a game, and no one can use them without paying MLB first. Then, there's the NFL, who freaked out about TiVo and also tried to ban any broadcasters from using "unauthorized" video feeds to show what happens in the stadium (i.e., no sideline cameras any more). They've been particularly fussy about the Super Bowl, however, forcing advertisers to call it "the Big Game" or whatever, claiming excessive control over the trademark (remember, trademarks are really designed to prevent consumer confusion, not to give holders full control over the mark). The latest situation is perhaps even more bizarre -- but tragically, seems to fall closer to a correct legal reading of a really poorly written law. The NFL apparently nastygrammed a church for planning to host a Super Bowl party. The original complaint was first that the church was charging people, but also that they used the term "Super Bowl" (as if people would somehow believe that the church was associated with the NFL?). After the church agreed to let people in for free and not use the term, the NFL continued to complain, saying that showing the Super Bowl on a screen larger than 55 inches represents copyright infringement. While we, at first, doubted the reality of this, Ben Austro sent in the fact that it is, indeed, spelled out in copyright law that once you get above 55", you may be talking about a "public performance," though, as Ben notes, the wording sounds like it was clearly written by a lobbyist. No matter what the law states, this seems ridiculously short-sighted by the NFL. It's hard to see how they lose out in any meaningful way by not allowing groups to watch the Super Bowl together. Of course, now that this particular quirk of copyright law is getting some attention, how long will it be until the MPAA starts cracking down on those of you with really big screen TVs from showing movies in your home theaters. What was a joke just a few months ago, may become real.


- Lawscribe

Jots and Tittles Jan 31, 2007

Jots and Tittles
January 31, 2007


I’m sitting here reflecting on some of the good teaching we have been listening to on Tuesday nights here at the Men's group at church. Andy Stanley’s video lessons on discovering God’s will has been insightful.

http://www.crown.org/AboutUs/andystanley.asp

Speaking of discovering things, here are some links I’ve run across lately which might be of interest to some.


1. This is a link to maps of the Holy Lands drawn as far back as the 1600’s up through the mid 1920’s.

http://www.jnul.huji.ac.il/dl/maps/pal/html/


2. For a more up-to-date look at the middle east, go to:

http://www.biblemap.org/


Plug in a chapter and verse and you will be taken, via Google Earth, to that location in the Holy Lands. These are the modern cities, of course, but a fascinating resource nonetheless.


3. For a map a little closer to home, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation now has put the 2007 Oklahoma map online at:

http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/hqdiv/p-r-div/maps/2007state/index.htm


You can download the whole map or just sections (Tulsa, OKC, downtown Tulsa, etc) in PDF format, plus you don’t have to fuss with refolding the maps each time.


4. Still looking for some things to do?

Go see the archeological exhibit From Abraham to Jesus:

http://fromabrahamtojesus.com/cities/tulsa.shtml



This is in Tulsa through the end of February. Poke around on the website for more information.

5. Finally, a regular Tulsa event: the monthly computer swap meet convenes every third Saturday of the month. New, used desktops, laptops, and parts. Software, books, etc. $2 admission, I think.

http://pcshows.com/


-Lawscribe

OwassoFirst Men's Group

OwassoFirst Men's Group
Mens meeting will resume on Jan 16th.
Hope to see you there.

v.

OwassoFirst Men's Group

OwassoFirst Men's Group
These are my talking points from last Tuesday evening.

(More?)Power …….. Versus Authority

As a political science major and history buff, I am fascinated by Man’s constant quest for power. Whether he seeks political, economic, or military power, mankind spends an enormous amount of time, energy and resources in the quest for power. Power is represented by money; property; influence; friends; power ties, power lunches, power steering.

A lot of great literature, and a fair number of decent movies, are centered on the theme of some sort of struggle for power. It’s one of the five or six great themes of literature.

Indeed, the Bible is a history, a compendium, and a guide to power. At it’s most fundamental basis, the Bible is a book about the struggle of good versus evil. A struggle for power. The warring between the forces of evil for dominance against the forces of good, of grace, of God.

Cain and Able
Satan and Jesus
Old man and new man


So it should come as no surprise that the Bible talks about “power” a lot. This seems to be common theme in the prayers of the followers of Christ. We seek His power. We want power in our lives. Wonder working power through the power of his blood and the power of the Holy Spirit. In Pentecostal circles, if we are not talking about the Blood of Christ, we are talking about the power of God. Or even the power of the Blood. So I thought it might be interesting to learn a little more about power. Turns out there is a lot to learn.


So what does the Bible say about power and authority? Are they the same? But what is power, really? Should we as Christians seek it? Is it something we should strive for? Be wary of? Seek? Avoid?


A quick word search of both of these words turns up this verse, among others:


Lu 9:1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.


In this verse it first appears that either Jesus is using power and authority interchangeably, or they mean different things, but are basically equally desirable.

So I asked myself – Which would I rather have? Authority or power? My gut reaction was to seek power. After all, it seemed to me that having power would automatically give you authority.
Indeed, this seems to be the mindset of man.

But I submit this is not scriptural.

We go on a little further to find:

Lu 4:6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.


Lu 10:19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.


Jesus seems to be ranking authority over power in this scripture. We will examine this more in detail in a few minutes, but this was the beginning of my quest to understand a little more about power. As usual, my first instinct was wrong. I submit that as desirable as having power may be, I am reaching the conclusion that my first priority should be to seek God’s authority. The power will come with the authority, but I don’t believe the power will come by itself.

And then there is the following verse:


Eph 1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.

The English word “authority” is not used here, and the word power is used twice, and it seems the words greatness and mighty just might mean something, I don’t know, powerful. But I don’t know what that is. Paul’s a smart guy, and I intuitively know that this verse means something more than just what is says, but I confess I just don’t quite grasp what is being said here.

So I figure more research is necessary.

I am approaching the first part of this monograph from an English speaking point of view. Though I’m no scholar on the subject, I’ll talk about the Greek origins of the word power in a while. For the moment, we can use a rough definition of power.

Dictionary.com

Definitions of Power and Authority – See endnotes

We can not only define a word or concept by what it is, but also by what it is not.

I start by defining the two words power and authority by their characteristics.

Best example I have seen, and I can’t take credit for this, is the following illustration:

A police officer stands at the intersection of two streets, directing traffic. I am approaching the intersection in my old truck. The police officer puts up his hand to stop me. The question at this point is: who has more power? Me, in my truck, or the police officer? The answer is easy. I have more power. I can continue on, ignore the officer’s command to stop, and keep going. There is little he can do to stop me. Aside from shooting me, he cannot physically stop me. His strength, standing there, is no match even for my old truck. I simply have more power.

Yet, I stop. Why?

Because the police officer has more authority over me. I recognize that his authority to command me to stop is greater than my power to ignore him. I recognize that he represents something greater than the both of us -- a greater entity than both of us. In this simple illustration, it can be seen that authority trumps power.


Power—is seldom given in spiritual, political, or other realms. May be incapable of being “given” except in spiritual sense. Once seized, power is seldom relinquished. Most of man’s history is the story of his struggle for power. Whether over his environment, his fellow man, or for him own freedom from addictions, compulsions, etc. This is often seen in nations governed by dictators. Once they seize power at the point of a gun, they seldom relinquish it voluntarily. Often, it takes another, with more power, to oust the first.


Authority is very flexible. Can be given and received. Can be rescinded. Can be given in limited amounts for limited times or for limited circumstances. Only those in authority can extend authority. Can be fraudulently obtained, but then is not true authority. You can act outside of authority, and when you do so, you are no longer authorized. But as long as you act within the authority given you, you can do anything.

So back to the Bible….

We begin to see instances of God’s grant of authority and power, or authority, but not just power, in the lives of his people.

Adam
Sampson
Moses

But as pointed out earlier, the Devil has some authority as well:

Lu 4:6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

So what are we to do? What should we seek?

But if you really want to know what power means, you should go to the source. Since the New Testament was written in Greek, and there are many tools available to help one understand the origins of the words.


There are five basic Greek words that are translated into the English language as Power. There are more words that could be used to infer or suggest power (ability, strength, will, etc) but for the limited purpose of this excursion we will confine our search to those words that are most often directly translated into our English word power. Those words are:

The Greek words are dunamis, energeia, Exousia kratos, and ischus

.


DUNAMIS: Translated “strength,” “powerful” * “power”; English word dynamite -- dynamo -- derived from DUNAMIS

strength power, ability
inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
power for performing miracles
moral power and excellence of soul
the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
power and resources arising from numbers
power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts


Energeia en-erg'-i-ah
energy
Definition : in the NT used only of superhuman power, whether of God or of the Devil

Translated Words
KJV (8) - effectual working, 2; operation, 1; strong, 1; working, 4;


exousia ex-oo-see'-ah
KJV (103) - authority, 29; jurisdiction, 1; liberty, 1; power, 69; right, 2; strength, 1;

Kratos
1. force, strength
2. power, might: mighty with great power
a. a mighty deed, a work of power
3. dominion

Root for demo – cratic - people -- power
Consent of the governed. A group of people that desire to vest power to a person to govern them. Usually defined by rules or customs or practice

Ischus is-khoos'
Ability, force, strength, might




Lu 10:19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Lu 10:19 Behold idou , I give didwmi unto you umin power exousia to tread patew on epanw serpents ofiv and kai scorpions skorpiov , and kai over epi all pav the power dunamiv of the enemy ecyrov : and kai nothing oudeiv shall adikew by any means ou mh hurt adikew adikew you umav .

Lu 9:1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

Eph 1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

Eph 1:19 And kai what tiv is the exceeding uperballw greatness megeyov of his autov power dunamiv to eiv us-ward hmav who o believe pisteuw , according to kata the working energeia of his autov mighty iscuv power kratov , {his mighty power: Gr. the might of his power}




Ephesians 1:19

"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power."

The Greek words are (dunamis), (energeia), (kratos), and (ischus).

--------------------


"of His power": (dunamis), "power, strength"

Reference to God's inherent power and strength; omnipotence.

"according to the working": (energeia), "operational power, energy, ability to work."

"of his mighty power": (kratos) and (ischus)

(kratos): power of control, dominion, might

(ischus): endowed power, the faculty of power

Summary of the four words for power used in this verse:
1. (dunamis): inherent power, the omnipotence of God
2. (energeia): the operational power of God (excludes all human power)
3. (kratos): power of control, dominion, might
4. (ischus): endowed power, the faculty of power

God has a plan for us. It is a potentially great, unlimited plan. This is so because the plan depends on God’s power – Inherent (dunamis) power and supernatural (energeia) power. As long as we are following the outline – the plan – the structure within which the power is to be exercised (kratos), we as believers will be made powerful (ischus).
Lawscribe.

Seek God, Not Man.

Seek God, Not Man

Acts 4

1 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. (even the supposed religious leaders sometimes oppose the will of God)

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9 are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,^[b] the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Peter answers them with the Word and the help of the Holy Spirit)13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say. 15 So they ordered Peter and John out of the council chamber^[d] and conferred among themselves. 16 “What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it. 17 But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” 18 So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. (despite the evidence and fruit that Peter and John are acting according to God’s will, the religious leaders order them to stop)19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” (Seek God, not man. Know for yourself what God’s will is for your life, and follow Him.) 21 The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God 22 for this miraculous sign—the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years. 23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God:

29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

In spite of their threats:

1. Give us boldness
2. Use us to heal others
3. Perform signs and wonders

Instead of cowering in the face of opposition, they stepped up their intensity and God blessed them for it

31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

God answers their prayers and shows his approval by filling them ALL with the Holy Spirit.

See Acts 26 for a similar story about Paul going before King Agrippa. Instead of pleading his own case, Paul actually witnesses to the King and shares his testimony.

How to Know God’s Will and Follow Him

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight

Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.

Psalms 119:104-106 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.

False Evidence Appearing Real

Types of Fear
**** REVERENT.

PSA 34:4 "I sought the Lord and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fear"
Fear (Fear of the Lord) is often used to describe reverence. "Let the Lord's people show him reverence, for those who honor him will have all they need". PSA 34:9 NLT

The scriptures reveal several things about the "FEAR OF THE LORD"
1). It is CLEAN "Enduring Forever "The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether" . PSA 19:9 NKJV

2). It can be LEARNED "Come, ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD" PSA 34:11

3). It is the beginning of WISDOM "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do His commandments. His praise endureth for ever" PSA 111:10

4). It is the beginning of KNOWLEDGE " The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Prov. 1:7

Psalm 25:12-15 reveals promises to those who fear the Lord
1. Guidance: "What man is he that feareth the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose" v. 12

2. Spiritual Prosperity: "His soul shall dwell at ease, " v. 13

3. Future Prosperity: "and his seed shall inherit the earth" v. 13

4. Divine Confidant: "The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him, " v. 14

5. Covenant: "and He will show them His covenant" v. 14

6. Deliverance: "My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies" v. 15 N.L.T.

**** CAUTIONARY.

An awareness or warning to save us and/or others from hazards in this world. This type of fear preserves lives so that they are available to fulfill their individual purpose.

**** PANIC & ANXIETY.

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up". Prov. 12:25 TNIV
This type of fear is not just a human "trait" it is NOT of God. It can immobilize and torment individuals, making them feel powerless and alone. "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. " 1 John 4:18. TNIV Indecision or wrong decisions are then made that could give place to bondage and great suffering .

**** FEAR OF MAN.

Fear of any man is a trap, keeping you from fulfilling a purpose. Pray and ask God for wisdom on how to deal with a particular individual and trust God that he will keep you safe. "To fear anyone will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe". Prov. 29:25 TNIV

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Satan's plan is to steal, kill and destroy John 10:10.
In the face of fear we are to remember our calling from God. We have within us

1) The power of God through the holy spirit, enabling us to no longer be victims. "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline" 2 Tim 1:6-7 TNIV.

2) The perfect love of God, poured into our lives through Jesus Christ and his abiding presence. "And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" Romans 5:5 TNIV.

3) The mind of Christ by which we can apply the ways of God in making "sound" choices. "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline" 2 Tim 1:7 TNIV

Applying this truth determines whether we overcome fear or are overcome by it. " for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith" 1 John 5:4 TNIV

Isaiah 42:16 - leading the blind

Isaiah 42: 16.

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;
I will lead them in paths they have not known.
I will make darkness light before them,
And crooked places straight.
These things I will do for them,
And not forsake them.


This was one of the Scriptures we looked at last tuesday night as part of a study on the promises of God regarding help in times of need. But then I got to wondering why a truly blind person would need “light before them?” I submit that what God is promising here goes beyond “help” – whatever that general term may mean to you and me. I think there are specific answers in this verse. He will provide solutions we never thought about to problems that seem unsolvable (“paths they did not know”). He will clarify our minds in order that we may discern the correct decisions we must make among many possible, but wrong, choices (“make … crooked places straight”). Sometimes we are blinded by our own choices – we can’t get closer to God, or make better business decisions, or be better husbands or fathers because we choose to be afraid of what we don’t know, what we haven’t done, or what we can’t (or won't) see. But God has promised to make the darkness of fear, worry, and indecision give way to the light of His wisdom, His direction, and His leadership.

Lord, don’t let me be afraid to be led by you to the places you want me to go.