Scanned from 10 Building Blocks for a Solid Family, by Jim Burns. This quote from LEARN THE DANCE THE SOUL SALSA, by Leonard Sweet.

From Doy Moyer, Facebook, Feb. 22, 2020

When we don’t read the Scriptures holistically, but only see the bits and segments, we are setting ourselves up for failure. Reading only in part, failing to make broader connections throughout the whole of Scripture, invariably leads to misunderstandings that can damage our faith. We might read a little section that shows serious flaws in God’s people, or Laws that seem less than ideal if not bad, or God Himself bringing judgment when we have failed to truly grasp the problems or the movement of the text, and then conclude that the Bible, and even Christianity, is not what it’s cracked up to be.

Hebrews 13:20-25

Farewell

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,  equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. Grace be with all of you.

– Heb. 13:20-25, ESV

As we arrive at the end of this epistle, memory is called into action again. Remember your leaders, your elders – those who teach you the Word of God and exemplify the activity of faith.

Above all, never forget the constancy of Jesus Christ. The great Shepherd, and those who with clear conscience act honorably and serve with courage. Remember all of this, knowing that – The God of peace equips His people to engage in every form of good, to His glory.

The writer says, “bear with my word of exhortation.” I take that to mean, don’t read this letter quickly and forget it. Ponder these things, examine yourself and give God all the glory, that you can be corrected, warned and disciplined for better things.

“Grace be with all of you.”

[All my Hebrews audio podcasts can be accessed here.]

Evidence

“Evidence in its broadest sense includes everything that is used to determine or demonstrate the truth of an assertion. Giving or procuring evidence is the process of using those things that are either (a) presumed to be true, or (b) were themselves proven via evidence, to demonstrate an assertion’s truth. Evidence is the currency by which one fulfills the burden of proof.” From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence

A recent reading of Luke 23 prompted me to consider how central issues of evidence were in the events leading to the execution of the Son of God.

Volume is not evidence. The “loud voices” of the enemies of Jesus was not evidence against Jesus; it was evidence of the malice of heart inside these men (Lk. 23:23).

Numbers is not evidence. Throughout the narrative given by all four gospel writers, there are many references to “the people,” “the crowds,” or “the multitudes.” Truth is never determined by how many people raise their voice or hand. Pilate delivered Jesus “to their will,” (Lk. 23:25).

Power is not evidence. The strongest guy doesn’t get to claim he has the truth because of his power. Truth carries its’ own power.

Evidence is about what the facts are and where they lead. In God’s book of nature and God’s book of revelation (Scripture), there are facts to be reckoned with. We must learn the facts and honestly go where those facts take us. And in all our preaching and teaching and debating, we must make our appeals based on facts. All of Scripture conveys facts to us. All the New Testament focuses on the facts of who Jesus is and what He did. In the same revelation, God tells us how He expects us to respond to what He has done. Facts are stubborn things.

“And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you have life in His name,” (Jno. 20:30,31).

From Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream (David Platt)

Radical obedience to Christ is not easy; it is dangerous. It is not smooth sailing aboard a luxury liner; it is sacrificial duty aboard a troop carrier. It’s not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.

Although people are not loving and loyal all the time, nothing has to get in the way of our acting with loving-kindness and not giving up on others. No human action can take away another human being’s capacity to love.

The Five Things We Cannot Change (David Richo)

Confession

1 Chron. 21:17

By George Slover

And David said to God, “Was it not I who commanded the people to be numbered? I am the one who has sinned and done evil indeed; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, O LORD my God, be against me and my father’s house, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.” (1 Chronicles 21:17)

The first verse of the chapter states: Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. (1 Chronicles 21:1)  Joab, commander of Israel’s army, tried to dissuade David from bringing guilt upon the nation, but the king overruled him. Thus, God punished Israel.  This led to David’s confession:  “I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing; but now, I pray, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.” (1 Chronicles 21:8)

God gave David three options for punishment: ‘either three years of famine, or three months to be defeated by your foes with the sword of your enemies overtaking you, or else for three days the sword of the LORD-the plague in the land, with the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ (1 Chronicles 21:12)  David’s reply led to the death of 70,000 men in Israel.  Furthermore, David saw an angel ready to destroy Jerusalem.  This is where David intercedes with the words spoken in verse 17.
David takes full and personal responsibility for this tragedy.  He offers no excuses for his transgression and blames only himself.  He submits himself as an object of punishment and wishes to relieve his people from the plague and suffering.

David’s confession is a full acknowledgment of his own offense.  He frankly and freely owns all the sin that is his:  “I am the one who has sinned”; these sheep, what have they done?  “It’s my fault!  Spare the people!”    Like any one with character, David is willing to take the punishment for his personal sin.
In this confession, David also acknowledges God’s mercy (vs. 13)  It is better to fall into the hands of God than the hands of men.  In all his dealings God is just, but also full of mercy.  David looks upon his sheep as guileless and innocent and pleads for God’s compassion to spare them.
What a pathetic scene!  An angel who has smitten throughout Israel is passing by Jerusalem, his sword drawn!  The king is clad in sackcloth prostrate before the Lord.  When confession is offered in such an humble, self-renouncing position, it will surely prevail with God!

From Expository Files

Isaiah 9:6

His name shall be called Counselor.

When people are in trouble, distress or pain, where they turn for help is some indication of their character, their condition of heart.

If a man is depressed, and he turns to the local bar for a bout of intoxication – that speaks to his character. There are people who turn to physic “readers” or fortune-tellers.

And sometimes, when someone has sinned, they will turn to a comforter – not to receive rebuke, but to be comforted in their sin. To be justified by excuses. When people are in trouble, distress or pain, where they turn for help is some indication of their character, their condition of heart.

To the Christian, Jesus Christ is our supreme Counselor. And there is something basic here. We need help; we need direction and guidance. Jeremiah said, “the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps,” (Jer. 10:23). Of course, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Rom. 3:23).

We need help, and not just anybody is qualified to counsel us. The fact that someone will listen to your questions doesn’t mean they know the right answers.

Education and experience doesn’t necessarily qualify someone to lead you in the decisions of life.

And, if a counselor always tells you exactly what you want to hear, that cannot be good for you.

Jesus Christ is perfectly and supremely qualified to be your Counselor and my Counselor. In Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” (Col. 2:3). “…in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God … for in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted,” (Heb. 2:17-18).

He loves us with a perfect love and through His Word – we can be led out of sin, out of confusion, out of doubt – into fellowship with God.

He is the Wonderful Counselor of Isaiah. 9:6.

https://wberkley.podbean.com/