8-19-2019 – A Word to the Wise

On prayer
We need to take care in what we pray for. We tend to ask the Lord to make bad people good, to ignore a person’s character and somehow reform them when they do not desire reformation. How often have you heard someone ask God to make an individual wise? When you ask God to give wisdom to an evil person you are asking for the Lord to make them craftier in their wickedness.
Often we hear one begging the Lord to heal a person yet never that the person grow in their adversity! Yes character building comes from adversity not from peace and contentment. When that process is complete then it is time to implore the Lord to heal. Not before. Before only condemns the person to further trials. Our prayer life needs to reflect godly wisdom, not human purpose, or desire. Lord, accompany us in our trials, and suffering cleansing your child from all forms of impurity.
Life is filled with sadness. One could make a victory of these experiences turning life into inner triumph or could ignore the challenge and simple vegetate. Any attempt to restore ones inner strength has to show some future goal.

8-18-2019 – A Word to the Wise

GOD’S LOVE

For God so loved……! Yes, we all know the scripture, but too few of us believe it. Too many of us have never experienced a sense of “belonging”, therefore the ‘world’ does not seem to include us. Deep in our hearts, too often is buried the conviction Christ died for everyone – except me. God loves everybody, but me. The words are like a sonnet; beautiful but not about me!

We view God’s world from space and longingly wish we could “belong”, but try as we may we still always see ourselves on the outside. Especially, if you were not welcomed into this God’s world by loving parents do you find it difficult to feel “God loves me”. Me, your heart may answer, why I am not really supposed to be here. But you are, you were in God’s mind before you were in the world. He sent you here himself. Now, whether we were welcomed by people should be a little less important,. You we God’s idea! Imagine that, and you thought you just happened. The love that calls for self-sacrifice is not difficult but the love that calls for humility is something more difficult because this love is based on the right relationship with God.

We observe the publican and sinners manifesting this first love. The second which is dependent on a real sense of humility is something quite different. This involves humbling one’s self before God as his created and looking upon all the rest he has created with reverence and respect because if for no other reason God made them and to degrade them is to degrade God’s workmanship. We do not fall into love – we grow into it by patient endeavor.

Why is it so difficult to learn to love? We have love for the poor, the sinful and we are all the time trying to love God. Why does it not come? Because loving God is just the opposite in many ways of loving the unfortunate. God needs nothing, He has everything.

Our approach to the love of God sets in motion a totally different group of facts & emotions than love of man. It calls upon our capacity for humility. We love God for what he is instead of what he is not. To the needy we love by compassion. To God, we are the beggar the ONE in NEED of compassion. Too God we are ever the receiver, to man the giver. Why must we perfect our love toward man, in order to love God? Have you ever said, “I don’t want charity” (in this sense meaning you don’t want to be classed with the needy)? Why, if it is such a degrading thing, do you feel do “pious” when you offer it to someone else? Is your expression of generosity only in reality an expression of superiority? Is your love for others only spasmodically fitted to your convenience and mood? Could your love being thus, be the reason you cannot comprehend a constant love from God for you? Humility toward God Equality toward Man

He is the beggar of you; you are the beggar of God (You are all equal before God)

We as human beings fail so greatly in our expression of love that we tend only to think of the gentleness it embodies and have seemingly hidden from ourselves its firmness, its justice, its patient unyielding purpose. Yes, unyielding. Because we so often lack these elements of love, we forget that God does not. Is there a difference in brotherly love and brotherly dependency? What of the bar fly who loves no one but shows deep sympathy for one on a crying jag? All given is a listening ear. Two broke people sharing their nothing is this not really dependency rather than love? You see families like this. At first glance one thinks the love that exists is so much greater than average, but on closer examination, you will find it is actually a greater dependency than is average. Only when you do for the good of the other person instead of self is it really love. Because love is the essence of what the human mind can grasp, we are beginning to view it as the essence of God. God is love, but he is much more. He is invisible, immortal; He is power, He is eternal. To limit God to love only is to reduce him to a man. Love is not a synonym for power. Power is not a synonym for eternal. Blessed is the poor in spirit. Christ’s greatest love in being a sacrifice for the souls of others and so we know the measure of our love by how deeply we are willing to suffer for the souls of others. This is usually learned first toward our loved ones and then broadens to include our fellowman. Thus, we understand love. Read John 4:8-3. “Herein” that is, hidden here in is understanding. How do we understand? By doing what he did – give ourselves for others. Once

We do and feel, then we know love. We concentrate on the love nature of God to grow closer to him, but in order that our love be in its proper expression we cannot neglect our reverence.

8-18-2019 – A Word to the Wise

GOD’S LOVE

For God so loved……! Yes, we all know the scripture, but too few of us believe it. Too many of us have never experienced a sense of “belonging”, therefore the ‘world’ does not seem to include us. Deep in our hearts, too often is buried the conviction Christ died for everyone – except me. God loves everybody, but me. The words are like a sonnet; beautiful but not about me!

We view God’s world from space and longingly wish we could “belong”, but try as we may we still always see ourselves on the outside. Especially, if you were not welcomed into this God’s world by loving parents do you find it difficult to feel “God loves me”. Me, your heart may answer, why I am not really supposed to be here. But you are, you were in God’s mind before you were in the world. He sent you here himself. Now, whether we were welcomed by people should be a little less important,. You we God’s idea! Imagine that, and you thought you just happened. The love that calls for self-sacrifice is not difficult but the love that calls for humility is something more difficult because this love is based on the right relationship with God.

We observe the publican and sinners manifesting this first love. The second which is dependent on a real sense of humility is something quite different. This involves humbling one’s self before God as his created and looking upon all the rest he has created with reverence and respect because if for no other reason God made them and to degrade them is to degrade God’s workmanship. We do not fall into love – we grow into it by patient endeavor.

Why is it so difficult to learn to love? We have love for the poor, the sinful and we are all the time trying to love God. Why does it not come? Because loving God is just the opposite in many ways of loving the unfortunate. God needs nothing, He has everything.

Our approach to the love of God sets in motion a totally different group of facts & emotions than love of man. It calls upon our capacity for humility. We love God for what he is instead of what he is not. To the needy we love by compassion. To God, we are the beggar the ONE in NEED of compassion. Too God we are ever the receiver, to man the giver. Why must we perfect our love toward man, in order to love God? Have you ever said, “I don’t want charity” (in this sense meaning you don’t want to be classed with the needy)? Why, if it is such a degrading thing, do you feel do “pious” when you offer it to someone else? Is your expression of generosity only in reality an expression of superiority? Is your love for others only spasmodically fitted to your convenience and mood? Could your love being thus, be the reason you cannot comprehend a constant love from God for you? Humility toward God Equality toward Man

He is the beggar of you; you are the beggar of God (You are all equal before God)

We as human beings fail so greatly in our expression of love that we tend only to think of the gentleness it embodies and have seemingly hidden from ourselves its firmness, its justice, its patient unyielding purpose. Yes, unyielding. Because we so often lack these elements of love, we forget that God does not. Is there a difference in brotherly love and brotherly dependency? What of the bar fly who loves no one but shows deep sympathy for one on a crying jag? All given is a listening ear. Two broke people sharing their nothing is this not really dependency rather than love? You see families like this. At first glance one thinks the love that exists is so much greater than average, but on closer examination, you will find it is actually a greater dependency than is average. Only when you do for the good of the other person instead of self is it really love. Because love is the essence of what the human mind can grasp, we are beginning to view it as the essence of God. God is love, but he is much more. He is invisible, immortal; He is power, He is eternal. To limit God to love only is to reduce him to a man. Love is not a synonym for power. Power is not a synonym for eternal. Blessed is the poor in spirit. Christ’s greatest love in being a sacrifice for the souls of others and so we know the measure of our love by how deeply we are willing to suffer for the souls of others. This is usually learned first toward our loved ones and then broadens to include our fellowman. Thus, we understand love. Read John 4:8-3. “Herein” that is, hidden here in is understanding. How do we understand? By doing what he did – give ourselves for others. Once

We do and feel, then we know love. We concentrate on the love nature of God to grow closer to him, but in order that our love be in its proper expression we cannot neglect our reverence.

8-14-2019 – A Word to the Wise

It is my experience that we often find ourselves having to deal with the same temptations, the same bad attitudes, same failures. Wonder why? Perhaps it is because we do not take seriously examples the Lord has given over the many generations of mankind.

Consider what the scriptures says about the closing days of the great biblical commander Joshua; “he left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Joshua 11:15)

Unfortunately we are more like King Saul. I Samuel 15 tells us of Saul’s great failure and the consequences for generations to come. The Lord commanded Samuel to tell Saul to go to war with the Amalek and to completely destroy them and everything that belonged to them.

The orders were given by the Lord because they were ruthless people who had attacked and killed the aged, sick, and the orphans in the wilderness. Saul did not do it, rather decided to take captives, and property. His kingdom was taken from him for not obeying the Lord.

Because of his failure it would be another 500 years of Amalekite treachery before Queen Esther fully obeyed and destroyed Haman and the rest of the Amalekite.

As a patrol officer in South Dallas there was a particular block that reeked with drug houses and all kinds of wickedness. On one occasion having a shooting call at this location I stepped up on the porch and someone shot at me. I hated that area. I noticed not too long ago that the whole block had been leveled to the ground.

The lesson here for us? One does not stop when the enemy is defeated you take all that belongs to him. Destroy all the strongholds of Satan and he has nothing to return to. Our great temptation is to leave our houses of addiction, immorality, greed, and idolatry standing. Doing so dooms us to fight another day, and another.

That is what we have to do with our houses of sin and temptations, level them to the ground.

8-14-2019 – A Word to the Wise

It is my experience that we often find ourselves having to deal with the same temptations, the same bad attitudes, same failures. Wonder why? Perhaps it is because we do not take seriously examples the Lord has given over the many generations of mankind.

Consider what the scriptures says about the closing days of the great biblical commander Joshua; “he left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Joshua 11:15)

Unfortunately we are more like King Saul. I Samuel 15 tells us of Saul’s great failure and the consequences for generations to come. The Lord commanded Samuel to tell Saul to go to war with the Amalek and to completely destroy them and everything that belonged to them.

The orders were given by the Lord because they were ruthless people who had attacked and killed the aged, sick, and the orphans in the wilderness. Saul did not do it, rather decided to take captives, and property. His kingdom was taken from him for not obeying the Lord.

Because of his failure it would be another 500 years of Amalekite treachery before Queen Esther fully obeyed and destroyed Haman and the rest of the Amalekite.

As a patrol officer in South Dallas there was a particular block that reeked with drug houses and all kinds of wickedness. On one occasion having a shooting call at this location I stepped up on the porch and someone shot at me. I hated that area. I noticed not too long ago that the whole block had been leveled to the ground.

The lesson here for us? One does not stop when the enemy is defeated you take all that belongs to him. Destroy all the strongholds of Satan and he has nothing to return to. Our great temptation is to leave our houses of addiction, immorality, greed, and idolatry standing. Doing so dooms us to fight another day, and another.

That is what we have to do with our houses of sin and temptations, level them to the ground.

8-9-2019 – A Word to the Wise – A study of COMPASSSION AND EMPATHY
What is compassion? How is it connected to empathy? We, I suspect will find some very certain truths about Jesus when we examinee these two forces.
We will use simple definitions and make a clear distinction between the two. Compassion is an action word that reflects physical action towards others, in a manner which relieves pain, suffering or discontent. Empathy in contrast is a word which is being used here to reflect passivity and emotion. Thus one active the other passive.
Compassion has the distinction of being at the top of the list of character qualities highly esteemed and accounts for increased length of life. It is the ability to see the needs of another and to meet those needs. The emphasis here is on the desire to act to intervene in the affairs of men.
In sharp contrast empathy is a strict emotion with no indication or reference to physical action. It is the emotional experience that arouse from the heart and to various degrees evident in mood and effect.
These are the simple descriptions of these two traits that will be reflected in our study. (For the biblical scholars the key Strong word for compassion in Hebrew is rhm , or 7355, the Greek is eleeo or 5806). There is no particular word for empathy.
However, definitions do not point us in the direction we wish to explore rather the events and moods present in scripture. Those will be our teacher. Our chief focus will be on Jesus with emphasis on his healing ministry.
First let’s consider compassion. Often it appears with no empathy is present. This means what occurs is a strict action or compassion on Jesus part.
Lk. 8:40 ff tells us of a woman who has been ill 12 years. She approaches Jesus unbeknownst to him, touching his garment and is healed. The only interaction occurring is after this act of compassion.
Mt. 14:36 gives a similar account where many are healed simply by touching Jesus garment again no personal interaction.
In contrast let’s see samples where empathy on Jesus part occurs. Lk. 7 recounts the story of a sick centurion’s servant and how Jesus is called upon to help. The pathos of the situation is evident in the plea for help and Jesus response.
Another time John 5 relates the account where Jesus focus attention on a man who had been sick some 38 years. Empathy is apparent in the choice since the man did not approach Jesus. The same occurs in John 9 with a man born blind. Again we find Jesus approaching the person.
These are samples of the situations where compassion and empathy are to be distinguished.
Now what is to be discovered? One more element is to be added to illuminate what is occurring. Remember the event in Mark 2 where a paralytic is let down through the roof to be healed? Well it is the sentence Jesus uses “which is easier” healing or forgiving? The implication here is that it cost Jesus to heal. Cost what? Not money, or something tangible rather it cost him energy, or power.
Our tendency is to think it is all free there is no price to pay. That is not so. Which do you think is more expensive, compassion, or empathy? Two short passages answer.
Compassion: 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 As he went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.(RSV)
Empathy: 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, (KJV)
Which is the higher price?
Society understands the importance of acquiring compassion and empathy. For some time now there are programs in prisons dedicated to teaching offenders empathy. The hope being once the person learns to feel what the victim feels they will stop offending. To say the least these programs only have partial success.
It is not that compassion and empathy cannot be taught, in fact on occasion sociopaths and psychopaths may exhibit signs of compassion. It just seems that it goes deeper than that. There is something deeper than just technical attributes.
Something else. I believe Jesus left us a pattern for how we are to treat others with compassion, however empathy is a different matter. Empathy is not a lesson to be taught, compassion is on the other hand teachable
Remember that phrase in Mt 26:53 think not my Father would send 12 legions of angels? Who is it written to? Often the answer is to the disciples
However, I think Jesus was telling the Father he knew the power He could weld…just don’t. The empathy between the Son and father is complete Jesus knew His Father wanted to send those 12 legions of angels to rescue his Son the Father must have had enough. “Don’t Father, let it be.
All of this is to say we miss the mark when we suppose the pattern for us is empathy towards our fellow man.
No! Our pattern for empathy is that between the Father and Son. That is what the Lord desires. Our feelings are to unit with that of the Father and Jesus. The resulting feelings is what is to guide His followers.
We should copy the lesson of compassion Jesus patterns for us and apply it to our fellowman. But the lessons of empathy patterned as displayed between Father and Son that is our ultimate goal.
This is why true empathy is not experienced or learned by looking at human experiences, rather at divinity.
Jesus at the grave of Lazarus. Jesus in the garden with blood rolling down His face. Now that is empathy. Are you able to experience those feelings? That is the pattern for empathy. Do not confuse it with empathy for ones fellowman. This is indeed holy ground. Treat it as such.

8-9-2019 – A Word to the Wise – A study of COMPASSSION AND EMPATHY
What is compassion? How is it connected to empathy? We, I suspect will find some very certain truths about Jesus when we examinee these two forces.
We will use simple definitions and make a clear distinction between the two. Compassion is an action word that reflects physical action towards others, in a manner which relieves pain, suffering or discontent. Empathy in contrast is a word which is being used here to reflect passivity and emotion. Thus one active the other passive.
Compassion has the distinction of being at the top of the list of character qualities highly esteemed and accounts for increased length of life. It is the ability to see the needs of another and to meet those needs. The emphasis here is on the desire to act to intervene in the affairs of men.
In sharp contrast empathy is a strict emotion with no indication or reference to physical action. It is the emotional experience that arouse from the heart and to various degrees evident in mood and effect.
These are the simple descriptions of these two traits that will be reflected in our study. (For the biblical scholars the key Strong word for compassion in Hebrew is rhm , or 7355, the Greek is eleeo or 5806). There is no particular word for empathy.
However, definitions do not point us in the direction we wish to explore rather the events and moods present in scripture. Those will be our teacher. Our chief focus will be on Jesus with emphasis on his healing ministry.
First let’s consider compassion. Often it appears with no empathy is present. This means what occurs is a strict action or compassion on Jesus part.
Lk. 8:40 ff tells us of a woman who has been ill 12 years. She approaches Jesus unbeknownst to him, touching his garment and is healed. The only interaction occurring is after this act of compassion.
Mt. 14:36 gives a similar account where many are healed simply by touching Jesus garment again no personal interaction.
In contrast let’s see samples where empathy on Jesus part occurs. Lk. 7 recounts the story of a sick centurion’s servant and how Jesus is called upon to help. The pathos of the situation is evident in the plea for help and Jesus response.
Another time John 5 relates the account where Jesus focus attention on a man who had been sick some 38 years. Empathy is apparent in the choice since the man did not approach Jesus. The same occurs in John 9 with a man born blind. Again we find Jesus approaching the person.
These are samples of the situations where compassion and empathy are to be distinguished.
Now what is to be discovered? One more element is to be added to illuminate what is occurring. Remember the event in Mark 2 where a paralytic is let down through the roof to be healed? Well it is the sentence Jesus uses “which is easier” healing or forgiving? The implication here is that it cost Jesus to heal. Cost what? Not money, or something tangible rather it cost him energy, or power.
Our tendency is to think it is all free there is no price to pay. That is not so. Which do you think is more expensive, compassion, or empathy? Two short passages answer.
Compassion: 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 As he went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.(RSV)
Empathy: 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, (KJV)
Which is the higher price?
Society understands the importance of acquiring compassion and empathy. For some time now there are programs in prisons dedicated to teaching offenders empathy. The hope being once the person learns to feel what the victim feels they will stop offending. To say the least these programs only have partial success.
It is not that compassion and empathy cannot be taught, in fact on occasion sociopaths and psychopaths may exhibit signs of compassion. It just seems that it goes deeper than that. There is something deeper than just technical attributes.
Something else. I believe Jesus left us a pattern for how we are to treat others with compassion, however empathy is a different matter. Empathy is not a lesson to be taught, compassion is on the other hand teachable
Remember that phrase in Mt 26:53 think not my Father would send 12 legions of angels? Who is it written to? Often the answer is to the disciples
However, I think Jesus was telling the Father he knew the power He could weld…just don’t. The empathy between the Son and father is complete Jesus knew His Father wanted to send those 12 legions of angels to rescue his Son the Father must have had enough. “Don’t Father, let it be.
All of this is to say we miss the mark when we suppose the pattern for us is empathy towards our fellow man.
No! Our pattern for empathy is that between the Father and Son. That is what the Lord desires. Our feelings are to unit with that of the Father and Jesus. The resulting feelings is what is to guide His followers.
We should copy the lesson of compassion Jesus patterns for us and apply it to our fellowman. But the lessons of empathy patterned as displayed between Father and Son that is our ultimate goal.
This is why true empathy is not experienced or learned by looking at human experiences, rather at divinity.
Jesus at the grave of Lazarus. Jesus in the garden with blood rolling down His face. Now that is empathy. Are you able to experience those feelings? That is the pattern for empathy. Do not confuse it with empathy for ones fellowman. This is indeed holy ground. Treat it as such.

8-2-2019 – A Word to the Wise – Terror as a Weapon

Both the Lord and Satan use terror as a weapon. Satan uses it to strike fear in the hearts of men in order to render them helpless or passive in the face of the enemy. This is how the Egyptians were able to control the Israelites in captivity. This is how each of the enemies in the book of Judges overwhelmed and controlled the people. This is how Hitler was able to murder six million Jews and ten million Christians, by striking terror in men’s hearts. The results of Satan’s’ tactics can last for days, months, years, and on rare occasion generations but usually a few months..

God terrorizes differently with startling results. Whereas Satan’s terror tactics tend to be temporary God’s last from generations to forever! Example the world wide flood is still being talked about today some 8,000 years later. It is estimated that one hundred and thirty- two nations have handed down generation by generation some kind of story related to the deluge and its 3 billion victims.
The effects of the language barrier created by the Lord at Babel six thousand or more years ago still last to this day. The enemies of the Israelites hundreds of years later were still talking about the battle of the Red Sea and how their God accomplished the destruction of the Egyptians.
Serving on the battle line in the Lord’s army each warrior must know to the very depths of his being these words:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:10-13)
This shield protects the heart. In the 50 years of counseling and police work I have been assaulted verbally and physically numerous times. When the first tentacles of fear grip my heart I turn to this passage. A warrior must understand that the Commander will preserve those that belong to Him.

8-2-2019 – A Word to the Wise – Terror as a Weapon

Both the Lord and Satan use terror as a weapon. Satan uses it to strike fear in the hearts of men in order to render them helpless or passive in the face of the enemy. This is how the Egyptians were able to control the Israelites in captivity. This is how each of the enemies in the book of Judges overwhelmed and controlled the people. This is how Hitler was able to murder six million Jews and ten million Christians, by striking terror in men’s hearts. The results of Satan’s’ tactics can last for days, months, years, and on rare occasion generations but usually a few months..

God terrorizes differently with startling results. Whereas Satan’s terror tactics tend to be temporary God’s last from generations to forever! Example the world wide flood is still being talked about today some 8,000 years later. It is estimated that one hundred and thirty- two nations have handed down generation by generation some kind of story related to the deluge and its 3 billion victims.
The effects of the language barrier created by the Lord at Babel six thousand or more years ago still last to this day. The enemies of the Israelites hundreds of years later were still talking about the battle of the Red Sea and how their God accomplished the destruction of the Egyptians.
Serving on the battle line in the Lord’s army each warrior must know to the very depths of his being these words:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:10-13)
This shield protects the heart. In the 50 years of counseling and police work I have been assaulted verbally and physically numerous times. When the first tentacles of fear grip my heart I turn to this passage. A warrior must understand that the Commander will preserve those that belong to Him.

7-11-2019 – A Word to the Wise – Loving Father, Mighty Lord your destitute children bow before you with aching hearts and mournful souls declaring our need for your guidance. We need you to strengthen our resoluteness to fight the enemy putting aside selfishness, greed, anger, and anxiety determined to deny the enemy a foothold in our lives, and in that of our fellowman.

Deliver your children from the foolishness of impatience with others. Give your children the zeal to fight for the right without question or pause, to hold high the banner of godliness forsaking compromise, and vain pursuits. Reject any attempts on our part to partner with evil, or to sell for a pittance those things which are holy.

Father we yearn for your guidance, for a soul at peace with you. Hear O Lord our request and fill our days with your presence. Lord Jesus come quickly, Amen

Dr. Jerry Stettheimer

7-11-2019 – A Word to the Wise – Loving Father, Mighty Lord your destitute children bow before you with aching hearts and mournful souls declaring our need for your guidance. We need you to strengthen our resoluteness to fight the enemy putting aside selfishness, greed, anger, and anxiety determined to deny the enemy a foothold in our lives, and in that of our fellowman.

Deliver your children from the foolishness of impatience with others. Give your children the zeal to fight for the right without question or pause, to hold high the banner of godliness forsaking compromise, and vain pursuits. Reject any attempts on our part to partner with evil, or to sell for a pittance those things which are holy.

Father we yearn for your guidance, for a soul at peace with you. Hear O Lord our request and fill our days with your presence. Lord Jesus come quickly, Amen

Dr. Jerry Stettheimer

7-9-2019 – A Word to the Wise – I offer for consideration parts of a prayer offered by Peter Marshall, chaplain of the U.S. Senate in 1949.

“Our Father, we pray for this land…May we begin to see that all true Americanism begins in being Christian: that it can have no other foundation, as it has no other roots. To thy glory was this Republic established. For the advancement of the Christian faith did the Founding Fathers give their life’s heritage, passed
down to us.

Bless this land that we love so much, our Father, and help her deposit her trust, not in armies, and navies, in wealth and material resources, or in achievements of the human mind, but in that righteousness which alone exalteth any nation, and by which alone peace can finally come to us. This we ask in that name that is above every name, thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.
(The Prayers of Peter Marshall, by Catherine Marshall)

7-9-2019 – A Word to the Wise – I offer for consideration parts of a prayer offered by Peter Marshall, chaplain of the U.S. Senate in 1949.

“Our Father, we pray for this land…May we begin to see that all true Americanism begins in being Christian: that it can have no other foundation, as it has no other roots. To thy glory was this Republic established. For the advancement of the Christian faith did the Founding Fathers give their life’s heritage, passed
down to us.

Bless this land that we love so much, our Father, and help her deposit her trust, not in armies, and navies, in wealth and material resources, or in achievements of the human mind, but in that righteousness which alone exalteth any nation, and by which alone peace can finally come to us. This we ask in that name that is above every name, thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.
(The Prayers of Peter Marshall, by Catherine Marshall)

6-21-2019 – A Word to the Wise: Additional Comments on Devotional Charts

Some additional comments as to the use of the chart in the home. One might consider 2 jars for each child and or parent. The first jar holds the money earned daily. At the end of each week or month as determined by the family the funds are dispersed and the child puts 10% in a second jar towards savings. This teaches a child to learn to have a savings.
Second the child if they so desire may tithe 10%. Now the tendency is to force the child to tithe. This is a mistake. They do it by choice. The parent notices if the child indeed does tithe if so they add $1 to the jar of those tithing.
What happens over a period time with these 2nd jars, the non-tithers observe that the tithers funds grow at a much great rate than their own. It is not brought to the attention of the child they see it for themselves.
In this process you have taught the child to be a good steward by saving and tithing.
Again it must be emphasized that the parent must begin the whole process by going to a bank and obtaining at least a month supply of dimes per each child so they will have it on hand. The emphasis here is on instant reward. At the end of each time period they may exchange the dimes for bills and thus conserve the dimes and reuse if so desired.
Again the overall lesson here is you are teaching the child that good behavior is rewarding which is the same lesson the Lord teaches all mankind. (Deuteronomy 28:1-16, Hebrews 11:6).

6-21-2019 – A Word to the Wise: Additional Comments on Devotional Charts

Some additional comments as to the use of the chart in the home. One might consider 2 jars for each child and or parent. The first jar holds the money earned daily. At the end of each week or month as determined by the family the funds are dispersed and the child puts 10% in a second jar towards savings. This teaches a child to learn to have a savings.
Second the child if they so desire may tithe 10%. Now the tendency is to force the child to tithe. This is a mistake. They do it by choice. The parent notices if the child indeed does tithe if so they add $1 to the jar of those tithing.
What happens over a period time with these 2nd jars, the non-tithers observe that the tithers funds grow at a much great rate than their own. It is not brought to the attention of the child they see it for themselves.
In this process you have taught the child to be a good steward by saving and tithing.
Again it must be emphasized that the parent must begin the whole process by going to a bank and obtaining at least a month supply of dimes per each child so they will have it on hand. The emphasis here is on instant reward. At the end of each time period they may exchange the dimes for bills and thus conserve the dimes and reuse if so desired.
Again the overall lesson here is you are teaching the child that good behavior is rewarding which is the same lesson the Lord teaches all mankind. (Deuteronomy 28:1-16, Hebrews 11:6).

6-15-2019 – A Word to the Wise: On Sex

As startling as it may seem those who misuse, and abuse sex have no real knowledge of sex. Since sex was created by the Lord not Satan, true understanding must flow from the source. Certain things are known about God and may be trusted. God does not reveal his truths to the evil one, nor in the hands of the evil one will one discover the paths of life. One must seek knowledge of sex from its Creator, not its perverter. God is the source of all knowledge. I do not think for a moment that He would trust such knowledge to such wickedness. He gives it to the person who in marriage needs and desires such wisdom.

Satan knows he cannot duplicate this sense of pleasure and contentment. Thus, he masks the purpose of sex by focusing on the outward appearance of the woman entangling the man in a web of lies. These lies lead to sexual addiction, for the imitation lacks the satisfaction of the real thing. The real thing is fulfilling companionship. Because Satan’s substitute does not work, it is sought many times in hopes of attaining that which it promises, but fails to deliver. Satan perverts good and delivers as a substitute an immoral act incapable of providing a real sense of companionship. Rather it provides just the opposite–a deep sense of emptiness and loneliness making one famished and yearning even more intensely.

It is quite simple. After the sex act, the man is drawn frighteningly close to the person. This happens because God created the yearning for companionship in man’s spirit. The strength of these feelings equals that experienced in any addiction. Addiction proceeds from the mind or heart. Addictions diminish the yearning for companionship as found in the marital relationship.

The yearning for companionship is sewn into the fabric of man’s spirit, and is a kin to the experience of worship. The fear man experiences in the sex act accounts both for the desire for immoral relationships (because closeness is not required) and explains why sex outside of marriage is so different from sex in marriage. For the women the chief fear in sex is that the man will possess her, consume her, own her, and not honor his debt to her.

Outside of marriage, man has sex with a woman for much the same reason a dog urinates on every tree or car in the neighborhood. It enlarges his domain. The woman on the other hand

is promiscuous because she desires to destroy man. I doubt that a man knows this. She innately knows that promiscuous sex is destructive, destructive physically, in that one may acquire all manner of disease, destructive emotionally because intimacy is impossible and it is destructive spiritually since God’s Word expressly says that adultery will get one the hot place. The foolish man fails to recognize that this behavior robs him of his wealth, health, and heritage.

Moreover, the result of immorality for the man is anger towards women. This anger may be displaced to another object, but it is rooted in the sexual relationship

Why is illicit sex a source of anger? (Illicit sex as used here means sex outside of marriage, or unpaid or perverse in marriage). Because it is like stealing, and there is no outlet for the emotions experienced. While when one has premarital sex with the future wife, it is problematic, it hardly compares with the devastation of multiple sex partners. The latter leads to each sex partner having a stake or claim on a part of the sinner’s soul, which he or she can sell, or trade to Satan.

The man owes a debt to the woman he has sex with in marriage or out of marriage. The woman senses this. If the debt is unpaid in marriage then bitterness accrues with the wife. Lack of payment in non -marital circumstances frequently finds immediate consequences.

The debt may be paid at the discretion of the woman in one of the following ways. First, it may be paid physically. One example of this is the man sees that the woman is fulfilled sexually. It may be paid for materialistically, that is through money or gifts. It may be paid for emotionally, that is by meeting needs of affection or other emotional needs of the woman. The debt is best paid through all these means

Now immorality never pays the full debt incurred. The failure to pay the debt in full results in an outstanding unpaid debt. Satan has a stake in that wherever there is an unpaid debt; he may step in, and buy out the debt and become the lien holder.

Men tend to not take the indebtedness seriously. A woman takes it very seriously, and will extract her price by one means or another, even if it means selling the debt to Satan. How does she do this? One method is bitterness. The other is cursing the man; a curse that is without cause has no effect. However, one that does have cause will bring harm, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Examples can be seen in sexually transmitted disease, mental and emotional illness, and spiritual weakness. One should not assume these are the only consequences. Ultimately, immorality utterly destroys the individual. (Proverbs 5)

So we have a choice to make what kind of life will we live? How moral, or immoral will we be in what we think, or how we behave.

6-15-2019 – A Word to the Wise: On Sex

As startling as it may seem those who misuse, and abuse sex have no real knowledge of sex. Since sex was created by the Lord not Satan, true understanding must flow from the source. Certain things are known about God and may be trusted. God does not reveal his truths to the evil one, nor in the hands of the evil one will one discover the paths of life. One must seek knowledge of sex from its Creator, not its perverter. God is the source of all knowledge. I do not think for a moment that He would trust such knowledge to such wickedness. He gives it to the person who in marriage needs and desires such wisdom.

Satan knows he cannot duplicate this sense of pleasure and contentment. Thus, he masks the purpose of sex by focusing on the outward appearance of the woman entangling the man in a web of lies. These lies lead to sexual addiction, for the imitation lacks the satisfaction of the real thing. The real thing is fulfilling companionship. Because Satan’s substitute does not work, it is sought many times in hopes of attaining that which it promises, but fails to deliver. Satan perverts good and delivers as a substitute an immoral act incapable of providing a real sense of companionship. Rather it provides just the opposite–a deep sense of emptiness and loneliness making one famished and yearning even more intensely.

It is quite simple. After the sex act, the man is drawn frighteningly close to the person. This happens because God created the yearning for companionship in man’s spirit. The strength of these feelings equals that experienced in any addiction. Addiction proceeds from the mind or heart. Addictions diminish the yearning for companionship as found in the marital relationship.

The yearning for companionship is sewn into the fabric of man’s spirit, and is a kin to the experience of worship. The fear man experiences in the sex act accounts both for the desire for immoral relationships (because closeness is not required) and explains why sex outside of marriage is so different from sex in marriage. For the women the chief fear in sex is that the man will possess her, consume her, own her, and not honor his debt to her.

Outside of marriage, man has sex with a woman for much the same reason a dog urinates on every tree or car in the neighborhood. It enlarges his domain. The woman on the other hand

is promiscuous because she desires to destroy man. I doubt that a man knows this. She innately knows that promiscuous sex is destructive, destructive physically, in that one may acquire all manner of disease, destructive emotionally because intimacy is impossible and it is destructive spiritually since God’s Word expressly says that adultery will get one the hot place. The foolish man fails to recognize that this behavior robs him of his wealth, health, and heritage.

Moreover, the result of immorality for the man is anger towards women. This anger may be displaced to another object, but it is rooted in the sexual relationship

Why is illicit sex a source of anger? (Illicit sex as used here means sex outside of marriage, or unpaid or perverse in marriage). Because it is like stealing, and there is no outlet for the emotions experienced. While when one has premarital sex with the future wife, it is problematic, it hardly compares with the devastation of multiple sex partners. The latter leads to each sex partner having a stake or claim on a part of the sinner’s soul, which he or she can sell, or trade to Satan.

The man owes a debt to the woman he has sex with in marriage or out of marriage. The woman senses this. If the debt is unpaid in marriage then bitterness accrues with the wife. Lack of payment in non -marital circumstances frequently finds immediate consequences.

The debt may be paid at the discretion of the woman in one of the following ways. First, it may be paid physically. One example of this is the man sees that the woman is fulfilled sexually. It may be paid for materialistically, that is through money or gifts. It may be paid for emotionally, that is by meeting needs of affection or other emotional needs of the woman. The debt is best paid through all these means

Now immorality never pays the full debt incurred. The failure to pay the debt in full results in an outstanding unpaid debt. Satan has a stake in that wherever there is an unpaid debt; he may step in, and buy out the debt and become the lien holder.

Men tend to not take the indebtedness seriously. A woman takes it very seriously, and will extract her price by one means or another, even if it means selling the debt to Satan. How does she do this? One method is bitterness. The other is cursing the man; a curse that is without cause has no effect. However, one that does have cause will bring harm, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Examples can be seen in sexually transmitted disease, mental and emotional illness, and spiritual weakness. One should not assume these are the only consequences. Ultimately, immorality utterly destroys the individual. (Proverbs 5)

So we have a choice to make what kind of life will we live? How moral, or immoral will we be in what we think, or how we behave.

6-13-2019 – A Word to the Wise: Family Devotional Chart

What follows is a modified family chart that I use in counseling to help families with children. It is effective over a long period of time with character development. I suggest you stay with it 3 months just like it is to see if it works for your family. No attention is given for negative or failure to give a positive reply.

Now here is the important part. Through experience I have learned that reward is very important. For each child you have a jar with the child’s name on it. For every positive answer you immediately put a dime in the child’s jar. No IOU’s, no “I will give it at the end of the week.” It is an immediate reward for a positive reply. Further financial suggestion will follow at the conclusion.

Here are the questions and method to be used: Each child will have one of the inexpensive composition books available at dollar stores or Walmart for .88 cents. In the chart they will keep verses and records.

The first two questions are Have you written the verse in Proverbs today. The second is Have you written the verse from the Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount today?

This requires the child to handwrite out one verse starting with chapter 10 of Proverbs. Each written verse is preceded by the child’s name. Example: Proverbs 10:1 “John, A wise son (or daughter) makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother”.

The verse is written in the composition notebook. It is dated. If written the child immediately gets ten cents. The second verse comes from starting with Matthew 5 verse 3: John (or the child’s own name), Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs are the kingdom of heaven.” If written the child receives a dime immediately.

The next questions follow with the child receiving a dime immediately for each positive answer.

I have been obedient today.

I have written one verse from Proverbs today,

I have written one verse from the Sermon on the Mount today. (Matthew chapter 5-7.)

I have been kind to others today.

I have praised someone today.

I have been honest today.

I have restrained my anger today.

Tell about a good deed done today.

I have told someone thank you today.

I have prayed today.

At the end of the week if there is more than one child in the family each child will take $1 from their jar for each of the other children and give it to them. This behavior teaches the child to give and receive. Obviously nothing is actually lost or gained in the process. At the end of the month the funds in the jar are removed by the child and spent in an appropriate manner. Now I have addressed this for the children. The adults are welcome to include themselves as well. It is imperative to have the change on hand before you begin.

All the verses will be written in the journal, dated and the care giver will record the total amount paid out in the child’s journal at the end of each session.

Now the reasoning for rewarding in this manner. First the child eventually connects good behavior with reward. The amount is not important what is important is the immediate reward.

Some will question the reward system. Let me remind you that it is how the Lord deals with us. Hebrews 11:6 “For without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (RSV) You find the same thing in Deuteronomy 28:1-16.

The child learns over a period of time there is a reward for kindness, generosity, godliness.

6-13-2019 – A Word to the Wise: Family Devotional Chart

What follows is a modified family chart that I use in counseling to help families with children. It is effective over a long period of time with character development. I suggest you stay with it 3 months just like it is to see if it works for your family. No attention is given for negative or failure to give a positive reply.

Now here is the important part. Through experience I have learned that reward is very important. For each child you have a jar with the child’s name on it. For every positive answer you immediately put a dime in the child’s jar. No IOU’s, no “I will give it at the end of the week.” It is an immediate reward for a positive reply. Further financial suggestion will follow at the conclusion.

Here are the questions and method to be used: Each child will have one of the inexpensive composition books available at dollar stores or Walmart for .88 cents. In the chart they will keep verses and records.

The first two questions are Have you written the verse in Proverbs today. The second is Have you written the verse from the Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount today?

This requires the child to handwrite out one verse starting with chapter 10 of Proverbs. Each written verse is preceded by the child’s name. Example: Proverbs 10:1 “John, A wise son (or daughter) makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother”.

The verse is written in the composition notebook. It is dated. If written the child immediately gets ten cents. The second verse comes from starting with Matthew 5 verse 3: John (or the child’s own name), Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs are the kingdom of heaven.” If written the child receives a dime immediately.

The next questions follow with the child receiving a dime immediately for each positive answer.

I have been obedient today.

I have written one verse from Proverbs today,

I have written one verse from the Sermon on the Mount today. (Matthew chapter 5-7.)

I have been kind to others today.

I have praised someone today.

I have been honest today.

I have restrained my anger today.

Tell about a good deed done today.

I have told someone thank you today.

I have prayed today.

At the end of the week if there is more than one child in the family each child will take $1 from their jar for each of the other children and give it to them. This behavior teaches the child to give and receive. Obviously nothing is actually lost or gained in the process. At the end of the month the funds in the jar are removed by the child and spent in an appropriate manner. Now I have addressed this for the children. The adults are welcome to include themselves as well. It is imperative to have the change on hand before you begin.

All the verses will be written in the journal, dated and the care giver will record the total amount paid out in the child’s journal at the end of each session.

Now the reasoning for rewarding in this manner. First the child eventually connects good behavior with reward. The amount is not important what is important is the immediate reward.

Some will question the reward system. Let me remind you that it is how the Lord deals with us. Hebrews 11:6 “For without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (RSV) You find the same thing in Deuteronomy 28:1-16.

The child learns over a period of time there is a reward for kindness, generosity, godliness.

6-12-2019 – A Word to the Wise: It is so often we hear unwise statement and we believe and are seduced by them. Example, I hear it all the time: “You must love unconditionally.

This lie only benefits the addict, the selfish, the self-serving. Love is not based on who or what a person is rather on their creation. Love should not be expected, nor demanded.

Moreover, the Lord God does not love unconditionally He does not expect his children to love unconditionally.. Remember, “If you love me you will obey my commandments.” That is not unconditional.

It should be apparent that we ought to discern wisely the things we hear, and proclaim.