Faith, Fractures, and Football

September 21, 2015September 21, 2015 / insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

As the camera focused on the face of Jerry Jones, the agony of the Cowboys owner was only exceeded by the pain of his quarterback. Tony Romo had just been sacked, and the force of the tackle had broken his clavicle.

While I watched Romo walk off the field, I wondered about the severity of the break. I also thought of a phrase in the New Testament where Paul instructed Titus to “set in order the things that are lacking.”

This phrase describes the need of Romo. “Set in order” is the Greek word epidiorthoo, and it is a construction of three words:

Epi which means upon.
Dia which means through.
Orthos is the main part of this word, and it means to straighten or make correct.

Orthos is the prefix of words like:

Orthodontist who is focused on the correct alignment of teeth
Orthopedist who is concerned with a straight skeleton
Orthodoxy which is associated with the correct teaching of the faith or of theology

In Romo’s case, the doctors will make sure the clavicle is aligned and straightened, so it will mend properly. Romo will also need to give the injury time to heal.

Some people invest more time caring for their physical needs than they do their spiritual fitness. This mindset can lead to a fractured faith. To prevent this from occurring, the book of Hebrews says you should “strengthen your tired arms and your weak knees, and straighten the paths of your life, so that your lameness may not become worse, but instead may be healed. Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:12-14).”

If you fail to do this, you may be sidelined along with the Cowboys quarterback.

The Good Samaritan: Pay Day Some Day

September 18, 2015September 18, 2015 / insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

While I was doing a little reading last night, I found my way to Proverbs 19:17: “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed (ESV).” The Message provides this rendering of that verse: “Mercy to the needy is a loan to God,and God pays back those loans in full.”

After reading this verse, a couple of questions came to my mind:

If God repays those who are generous to the poor, how does he reward those who are miserly?
Is this verse to be interpreted in just a physical sense or is their also a spiritual significance as in the poverty of the nonbeliever?

My musing led me to think about how this verse could be applied to the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. In this story a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was robbed and left badly beaten. This man was seen by three different individuals:

The thieves saw him and said: “What’s yours is ours, so we’ll just take it.”
The priest saw him and said: “What’s mine is mine, and I won’t share it.”
The Samaritan said: “What’s mine is God’s, so I’ll bless you with it.”

Which of these three individuals embraced the principle of Proverbs 19:17? Which one of the them showed mercy, exhibited kindness, and manifested generosity? How do you respond when you see someone in need?

Whoever is kind to the poor is lending to the Lord—
the benefit of his gift will return to him in abundance.

Proverbs 19:17 (ISV).

Peyton Manning’s Surprising Reaction

September 17, 2015 / insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

I haven’t checked the reliability of the source, but I was told this video shows how Peyton Manning reacted when he remembered the Broncos had to go to Kansas City tonight to play the Cheifs.

The Misery Index

September 17, 2015September 17, 2015 / insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

Whether you call them “parting comments” or “footnotes,” Paul makes some interesting statements as he concludes his letter to the Thessalonians. The first of these statements is, “Be at peace among yourselves (5:13).” Paul is urging the members of this church to be at peace with fellow members of the church.

If you’re not at peace with yourself, it’s difficult to be at peace with another person; and if you’re not at peace with God, it is difficult to be at peace with yourself.

Paul also urges these people to “rejoice always (5:16).” Joyfulness is an important component of life, and Paul linked it with love, peace, longsuffering, and kindness when he spoke of the fruit of the Spirit.

The greater your inner joy, the more likely you are to love people, to be kind, and to be longsuffering—Even Nehemiah knew that “the joy of the Lord is your strength (8:10).”

The third statement that Paul makes emphasizes the importance of prayer: “Pray without ceasing (5:17).” Obviously you can’t pray continually, but you can go through the day in an attitude of prayer. There can be miniscule moments of time when you praise God or give Him thanks for a blessing. There will be times when you find yourself thinking of some person or a specific need, and you can offer a voiceless prayer that only God hears.

There’s another item that Paul urges these people to do: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (5:18).” To understand this verse, you need to comprehend the difference between “in all” and “for all.” Paul didn’t say that you’re to give thanks for “all things,” but “in all things.”

When you give thanks “in all things,” you’re embracing the hope you have in Jesus Christ; and, your focus is not so much on the here and now of your pain, but on the there and then of future blessings.

The path of trials and tragedies was a route that Paul often traveled. If you’re following in his footsteps, you might find some comfort in his practical theology for life:

Thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he is our Father and the source of all mercy and comfort. For he gives us comfort in our trials so that we in turn may be able to give the same sort of strong sympathy to others in theirs. Indeed, experience shows that the more we share Christ’s suffering the more we are able to give of his encouragement. This means that if we experience trouble we can pass on to you comfort and spiritual help; for if we ourselves have been comforted we know how to encourage you to endure patiently the same sort of troubles that we have ourselves endured. We are quite confident that if you have to suffer troubles as we have done, then, like us, you will find the comfort and encouragement of God. ~2 Corinthians 1:3-5

It’s Time for Saints to Giddy Up

September 16, 2015September 16, 2015 / insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

When you hear the word “meek,” what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Is it a spineless individual who has the composition of milk toast? Is it a person who lacks grit?

There are only two people in the Bible who are described as being meek. The first one is Moses and the second is Jesus. Even though they were described as being meek, neither of these individuals could be described as being weak.

An excellent definition of meekness is found in the picture of wild horses. Meekness means strength under control. Wild horses are of little worth until they’ve been tamed. Then they’re useful and of great value.

There’s a correlation between the taming of a wild horse, and a person manifesting the fruit of the Spirit. Paul encourages Christians to:

Live your whole life in the Spirit and you will not satisfy the desires of the flesh. For the whole energy of the flesh is set against the Spirit, while the whole power of the Spirit is contrary to the flesh. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Those who belong to Christ have crucified their old nature with all that it loved and lusted for. If our lives are centered in the Spirit, let us be guided by the Spirit.

It takes strength to live the life described by Paul, and this is only accomplished when you crucify or tame the old nature and yield to Jesus as Lord and Savior.

It’s time to Giddy Up and get with it!

A Monument to Washington

September 15, 2015September 15, 2015 / insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

The Washington Monument was dedicated on February 21, 1885, and during the ceremony a prayer was offered by Reverend Henderson Suter.

As you read the part of that prayer that I have excerpted, notice the high regard that Rev Suter had for President Washington.

        As we stand beneath the lofty height of this memorial work, and mark the symmetry of its form, we would remember Washington’s high character, and all the virtues which in him, builded-up the man.

A leader fearing God; a patriot unstained by self; a statesman wishing only the right, he has left us an example for whose following, we supplicate thy help, for ourselves and for all who are now and hereafter be, the instruments of thy providence to this land and nation.

        O God the high and mighty Ruler of the universe, bless today, and henceforth, thy servant the President of the United States and all others in authority.

        To our Congress ever give wisdom. Direct and prosper all their consultations. May our judges be able men, such as fear God, men of truth—governed in judgment only by the laws. May our juries be incorruptible, ever mindful of the solemnity of the oath, and of the great interests depending on its keeping.

        O God…Heal every wound opened by human frailty, or by human wrong. Let the feeling of brotherhood have the mastery over all selfish ends, that with one mind and one heart, the North and the South, and the East and West, may seek the good of the common country, and work out that destiny, which has been allotted us among the nations of the earth.

Rev. Suter described Washington as, “A leader fearing God; a patriot unstained by self; a statesman wishing only the right . . .” Contrast this description with the political climate and moral fiber you see in our elected officials of today.

Either something is missing or I’m missing something, but I think there is a stark contrast between now and the time of Washington and his peers. Many of these men were signers of the Declaration of Independence, and their resolve is seen in the final sentence of this cherished proclamation: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

The need of the hour is a spiritual awakening that begins with prayer: “I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:1-4).”

9 Reasons Why Trump Is Rising

September 14, 2015September 14, 2015 / insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

I have to admit that I thought Donald Trump would have fallen in the polls by now. Even though his star is still rising, I still think he’s a poor choice for president.

I just read an interesting article by Steve Deace that lists the 9 reasons behind Trumps surprising strength. You can read the article here: 9 Reasons Why Trump Is Rising

Junk Yard Dogs and Jehovah

September 14, 2015July 20, 2017 / insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

I’m not sure where we had been, but when John Hayden drove up his driveway, the Hayden’s little mutt ran off the porch and begin to bark with the attitude of a junk yard dog. John looked at me, and with his characteristic ear to ear grin, he said: “That’s the best little watch dog I’ve ever had.”

I responded with a big laugh, and said: “John, that dog is just putting on a show for you.” I went on to tell John that his little watch dog never barked or even moved off the front porch when I drove up his driveway.

Whenever I think of this incident, I’m reminded of Paul’s instructions to slaves in Colossians 3:22: “Obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.”

The King James is the only version that uses the word “eyeservice” in its translation. I like this unique rendering of Paul’s instructions because it clearly explains how many people live their lives. Some live the life of a men-pleaser and others are noted for their sincerity of heart.

Eyeservice—if you only serve when you think you’re being watched, you need to know that “the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil (I Peter 3:12).”

Slaves: obey your earthly masters in all things. Don’t just act earnest in your service only when they are watching. Serve with a sincere heart (even when others aren’t watching), fearing the Lord who is always watching!

Colossians 3:2 ~The Voice

A Deadly Diagnosis

September 11, 2015September 11, 2015 / insightbyseymour / Leave a comment

Based on a report that was published September 8th in the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of Asian Americans and nearly half of Hispanic Americans with diabetes are undiagnosed. The figures indicate that 51% of Asian Americans and 49% of Hispanics are afflicted with the disease, and they don’t know it.

When you read statistics like these, there’s a danger of misinterpreting them. The report does not say that 51% of all Asia Americans and 49% of all Hispanics have diabetes. The study indicates of those who do have it, only above half of them are aware of the diseases’ presence.

There is an even more alarming and much older report of a significant and deadly diagnosis that has permeated both Asian American and Hispanic populations. It is an actual worldwide epidemic that strikes young and old alike, and it is not confined to ethic groupings.

Please excuse me, but to name it and describe it, I’ll have to use a politically incorrect and unacceptable word: “Sin!”

In the book of Romans, Paul bluntly states that everyone has sinned and come short of the glory of God (3:23). Later in this same book, he said, “Where sin increased, grace multiplied all the more, so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

What do Asian Americans and Hispanics do when they discover that they have this diagnosis that can be deadly? They seek treatment from a qualified physician.

What will you do now that know you’re also afflicted with an unmentionable disease? Let me whisper the word….”sin.”

Because it’s a spiritual disease, you’ll need to see the Great Physician for a remedy:

John 3:36: “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Romans 10:9-10: “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

Just like a diabetic needs insulin injections, you need to take your medicine as well. There are no side effects, and it will lead to eternal life: ^“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).”

The Refueler and the Refuelee

September 10, 2015September 10, 2015 / insightbyseymour / 2 Comments

The Navy’s unmanned X-47B is designed and produced by Northrop Grumman. In the photo to the left, it’s being refueled by an Omega K-707 tanker. The X-47B is an unmanned combat air vehicle designed for aircraft carrier-based operations. While it has great potential and can be very effective, it must rely on the presence of an aircraft carrier, and at times, a tanker for refueling.

When I saw this picture of the X-47B, I was reminded of Paul’s words to the church at Ephesus. He said that when the gifts of God are properly used they equip the saints for the work of ministry and build up the body of Christ.

There’s a complimentary relationship that exists between the X-47B and the Omega K-707 tanker. The K-707 provides the fuel that is necessary for the X-47B to perform its designed function, and the X-47B can provide protection for the K-707.

The same is true for the body of Christ: There is a complimentary relationship. As Paul says in I Corinthians 12, the hand needs the eye to see and the eye needs the hand to grasp and to hold what it sees.

How are you using your gifts and talents for the benefit of the church?

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: