Wrote

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Mike Benson

THERE IS ONLY one occasion in Scripture when Jesus is recorded as writing anything; and, the Scriptures do not tell us what it was (John 8.6, 8)…
Wouldn’t you like to know?
I know that I would.
However, we are not told.
As you recall, the occasion involved a woman taken in adultery. When Jesus stooped down, what did He write on the ground? Did He write the words grace, mercy, or forgiveness? Did He write a Scripture? Did He write the name of the man who was involved with her? Did He write the names of this poor woman’s accusers? Did He write the hidden in the lives of those who wanted to stone her?
We are not told.
However, we are told the effect that Jesus’ words, both spoken and written, had upon those gathered before Him. John records that the men, convicted by their consciences, went out one by one, from the eldest of them to the youngest (John 8.9).
I find it interesting that on the only occasion that Jesus wrote, He wrote on the ground. He wrote on a tablet that would quickly be stamped out. Can you imagine that would have happened if Jesus had been written on a scap of paper? No doubt, the world would be filled with scraps of paper today all claiming to bear the handwriting of Jesus.
THOUGHT: The Bible does not cater to the curiosity of man and therefore shows that it is of divine origin. Wade Webster, “Why I Believe The Bible is The Word of God” (Part 1), POWER, April, 2011, 4
KneEmail: “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” 2 Peter 1.3
Bible reading for 05.13.11: John 3.19-38; 2 Kings 17, 18
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Success2

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Mike Benson

MUHAMMAD ALI IS considered the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time…
He won 56 out of his 61 professional fights and knocked out 37 opponents. His most famous catchphrase was, “I am the greatest.!”
One day, Ali was seated in an airplane when the flight attendant came up the aisle to make sure that all the passengers had their seatbealts fastened. Reaching Ali’s seat, she asked him to buckle up.
“Hmph!” the champ sneered. “Superman don’t need no seatbelt!”
The flight attendant smiled sweetly and replied, “Superman don’t need no airplane, either.”
Ali fastened his seatbelt.
THOUGHT: The greater our success, the greater the risk of us thinking too highly of ourselves. Os Hillman, “The Success Test,” The Upside of Adversity, 109
KneEmail: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himselfmore highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” Romans 12.3
Bible reading for 04.22.11: Luke 17.1-19; 2 Samuel 14-15
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Tradition

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Mike Benson

WHAT DOES JESUS say about tradition…?
The Pharisees referred to it as “the tradition of the elders” (Mark 7.3, 5). But Jesus called it “the precepts of men” (v. 7) and “the tradition of men” (v. 8).
Now this immediately cut the ground from under the Pharisees’ feet. They believed that Scripture and tradition were equally ancient, equally Mosaic, equally divine. Christ did not share their view. On the contrary, He drew a sharp distinction between the two. One the one hand there was what “Moses said” (v. 10), and on the other what “you say” (v. 11). At first sight one might suppose that this was simply to set two Jewish teachers or schools of thought in opposition to each other, Moses and the elders. But this is not at all how Jesus saw the disagreement. To Him Moses and the elders were not comparable, for the elders were fallible men with human traditions, while Moses was the spokesman of God. So what “you say” is equivalent to “your tradition” (vv. 9, 13) or “the tradition of men” (v. 8), whereas what “Moses said” is “the commandment of God” (vv. 8-9) and “the word of God” (v. 13). To put this beyond question we may observe that the phrase “Moses said” in verse 10 is rendered in Matthew 15:4 “God said”, and this was the consistent custom of Jesus and His apostles. For them “Scripture says” and “God says” were synonymous.
Thus we have our Lord’s own authority for distinguishing between Scripture and tradition as between God’s Word written and all human interpretations and accretions.
Put another way, we may say that the only “tradition” which Scripture recognizes is Scripture. For “tradition” (Greek – paradosis) is what is handed down, and God’s purpose has been that His Word, His unique revelation given to prophets and apostles, should be transmitted from generation to generation. John R. W. Stott, “Authority: Tradition or Scripture?”, Christ the Controversialist, 70
KneEmail: “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2.2
Bible reading for 04.05.11: Luke 8.26-56; 1 Samuel 1-3
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Illegal

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Mike Benson

AMONG HOT-BUTTON political issues, illegal immigration certainly ranks toward the top…
I am not naive enough to think I have all the answers, nor am I interested in discussing the political aspects in this article.
I do find some interesting similarities, however, between this subject and a current controversy within the Lord’s body.
Some American citizens espouse an “open borders” policy. Most of them would modify their position to keep out narco-terrorists and others who would overtly harm us.
But short of that, they do not believe that anyone should be denied entrance into the country. They insist that illegal immigrants are hard-working, law-abiding folks, despite the fact that crossing the border illegally prevents any accurate application of the description “law-abiding.” Those advocating open borders paste the label “anti-immigrant” on fellow-citizens who oppose their view.
This reminds me of some of my brethren who insist that anyone with some sort of faith in Jesus is a brother or sister in Christ, a fellow-citizen of Messiah’s kingdom. They know better than to extend the right hand of Christian fellowship to atheists or others who would blatantly deny Christ. However, we are too narrow, intolerant, and exclusive, they complain, when we contend that only those who have believed and obeyed the gospel of Christ are actually to be recognized as Christians (Acts 2:37-38,47).
After all, some who have been sprinkled for baptism or prayed the sinner’s prayer for salvation, or have otherwise deviated from the pattern in the New Testament, are good, hard-working, devout people. They obey New Testament teaching in numerous other ways. Sometimes they might work harder than most who have obeyed the gospel.
Other Americans maintain that those wishing to become citizens must comply with the lawful process Just so, we find brethren within the church who, like myself, stand firmly on the proposition that one wishing to be a citizen in Messiah’s Kingdom must believe and obey the gospel of Christ (Acts 22:16).
We love and admire many good things about people in the denominational world. We do not wish to keep them from citizenship. Indeed, we fervently pray they will obey the gospel; we tearfully plead with them to do so without delay! (Acts 17:30).
But we have neither the desire nor the ability to modify the word of the Lord. We would be cruel, indeed, to pretend that someone is saved when, in fact, that person is still lost in sin.
Unlike becoming an American citizen, entrance into Messiah’s Kingdom involves no waiting in line, filling out endless paperwork, or obtaining approval from some bureaucrat. We can confess Christ this very moment and be immersed in water for the remission of your sins ( Romans 6:1-4). We will enter into a saved relationship with God, and the Lord will add us to His church. Joe Slater at: http://www.forthright.net/guest_writers/illegal_immigration.html
KneEmail: “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:11
Bible reading for 09.22.10: Galatians 1; Ecclesiastes 10 – 12
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Letter

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Mike Benson

IF WE TRULY understood the message of Christ’s love found in the Bible letters, then we would be eager to meet the legal requirements set forth in those same letters…
The New Testament is not just a love letter. It is not just a legal brief. It is both! Are love and law mutually exclusive? Are they incompatible? Obviously not! Jesus tied love and lawkeeping together!
I can well remember as a boy, coming home after school to find a note written to me by my father. The note would almost always have some command written down upon it for me to obey and then close with an expression of love from my Dad. When I read the note, I saw two elements present. There was a command for me to obey given by one who had authority over me. Then there was an expression of love for given by one who had fervent affection for me. There was law and there was love! In college I would often receive a love letter from my Mom and Dad with certain requests for me to obey scattered throughout various points. Imagine that – a love letter with requirements as well.
This is precisely what the New Testament is – a love letter with legal requirements combined. “Precept and promise, law and love combining, till night shall vanish in eternal day!” B.J. Clarke, The Bible: Love Letter, Legal Brief, or Both?
KneEmail: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15; cf. v. 21-24
Bible reading for 09.20.10: 2 Corinthians 12; Ecclesiastes 1-3
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Miraculin

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Mike Benson

“Miraculin…”
If you haven’t heard of it before, you’ll no doubt hear of it in the future. In fact, you will probably be invited to a “miraculin” party someday.
“Miraculin” or “miracle fruit” is a small berry that grows on a plant in West Africa that looks like a rhododendron. The technical name is the “Synsephalum dulcificum” plant. It looks somewhat like a cranberry, or when unripe a coffee bean, and has a slightly citrusy taste.
But the “miracle” about this “miracle fruit” is not what it tastes like. The miracle is what it makes everything else taste like. Hold the berry in your mouth for thirty seconds, chew it up but keep it on your tongue, and feel a kind of tingle. After swallowing the berry take a big bite of a lemon or lime or grapefruit. Instead of sour, those fruits taste incredibly sweet. For about an hour, which is about how long miraculin lasts, you can turn raw lemons into lemonade with no sugar. Your salami sandwich can taste like Sara Lee.
Or: Eat a miracle berry then toss down a big shot of vinegar. To your confused taste buds the vinegar tastes as sweet as Mountain Dew.
Oh, I forgot something. When the vinegar hits your throat it burns all the way down. The glycoprotein molecule called “miraculin” only binds to the tongue’s taste buds, fooling the receptors into identifying acids as “sweet.” Your throat still knows an acid when it feels one.
Now do you know why these berries, now in capsule form, are the new thing in parties?
If you bite into a big lemon wedge and instead of puckering you up it floods your mouth with super sweetness, it is not just your tongue that is confused. Your brain doesn’t get it either.
Thought: Many try to change the various “realities” of life, but there are some facts that all must come to grips with sooner or later. We are born, we life for a brief time, and then we die (Heb. 9:27). All will one day be judged for their lives by the everlasting God. We may not like reality, but the facts are the facts. Whether you ever try a miraculin berry or not, do not let the true realities of life escape you.
KneEmail: “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6
Bible reading for 09.14.10: 2 Corinthians 7; Proverbs 19-21
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Discredit

Posted on March 24, 2010 by Mike Benson

IT IS OFTEN the case that when one is promoting a position, and another stands in opposition to that position, efforts are made to discredit the one who stands in opposition…
This is often accomplished by “name-calling” and “false-labeling.” However, such tactics should not dissuade one who is standing in the right:
If opposing homosexual marriage is being “homophobic,” Lord, give us more homophobes! Romans 1:18-32
If demanding strict obedience to the Bible is “legalism,” Lord, give us more legalists! Hebrews 5:8-9
If opposing divorce, except for the cause of fornication, is “idealistic,” Lord, give us more idealists! Matthew 19:9
If opposing women in leadership in the church is “chauvinism,” Lord, give us more chauvinists! 1 Timothy 2:11-14
If dressing modestly is “prudish,” Lord, give us more prudes! 1 Timothy 2:9
If opposing abortion is “right-wing,” Lord, give us more right-wingers! Proverbs 6:15-17
If believing in the inerrancy of Scripture is “fundamentalism,” Lord, give us more fundamentalists! Romans 3:4
If total commitment is “fanaticism,” Lord, give us more fanatics! Matthew 22:37
If believing one should be a virgin when one marries is “Puritanism,” Lord, give us more puritans! 1 Thessalonians 4:3
If believing in creation is “foolish” and unenlightened, Lord, give us more fools! Exodus 20:11
No matter what names the world and even some Christians may call you, if you stand for the truth, the Lord will call you “right.” Give it some thought. Steve Higginbotham
KneEmail: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8
Bible reading for 03.24.10: Luke 2:1-24; Joshua 16-18
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Test

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Mike Benson

DID YOU KNOW…?
That the Bible nowhere says, “Accept Jesus as your personal Savior?”
That the “Rapture” is not once mentioned in the Bible?
That no one was ever told to “Ask Jesus into your heart” in answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?”
That every verse in the New Testament in which baptism and salvation appear together lists baptism prior to salvation?
That nowhere in the New Testament is there a command or example for a baby to be baptized?
That “faith only” is mentioned just once in the Bible, and then it says, “not by faith only” (James 2:24)?
That Peter was not a pope and that he had a wife (Matthew 8:14)?
That there is no example or command in the Bible for preachers to wear special robes, clothes, etc.?
That everyone that has put Christ on in baptism is a “saint” (Ephesians 3:8; 4:12; 5:3; 6:16; Philippians 1:1; 4:2)?
That there is nothing in the Bible mentioning or even suggesting that you can be brought out of or prayed out of purgatory?
That denominational churches did not exist in the first century?
That you can be saved without ever “joining” a denominational church? (Doug Smith)
KneEmail: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Bible reading for 02.15.10: Matthew 27:27-66; Leviticus 17-19
Recommended web site: www.christiancourier.com/
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Conflict

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Mike Benson

IN HIS BOOK The Making of a Leader, Robert Clinton states that “conflict is a powerful tool in the hand of God and can be used to teach a leader lessons that he would not learn in any other way…”
For Clinton, conflict is a learning process that is crucial in the development of a leader within the church. He points out that “God will use conflict to point out areas of character needing modification, to point out or confirm areas of strength, or to point out areas of character entirely missing.”
KneEmail: 1 “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.” Acts 6:1-2
Bible reading for 12.15.09: Revelation 6; Amos 1 – 3
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Creed

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Mike Benson

ANY CREED CONTAINING more than the Bible is objectionable, because it does contain more than the Bible…
Any creed containing less than the Bible is objectionable, because it does contain less than the Bible.
Any creed differing from the Bible is objectionable, because it does differ from the Bible.
Any creed precisely like the Bible is useless, because we have the Bible. Benjamin Franklin
KneEmail: “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take anything from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2; cf. Revelation 22:18-19
Bible reading for 10.26.09: 1 Timothy 6; Jeremiah 9 – 11
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Category Archives: Authority