Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
July 30, 2012

“Has Sin been Removed from the Dictionary?”
“Hunger is no excuse for a thief to steal; When he's caught he has to pay it back, even if he has to put his whole house in hock.” – Proverbs 6:30, 31 (MSG)

Retribution: “Requital,” “Repayment,” “Recompense,” “Payback,” and the list goes on. There is of course the literal understanding of this—if you are caught stealing there is a punishment to be experienced for that—at least that is what the law says should happen. Without trying to sound too cynical here I think we have all seen that in our current justice system there a “Loopholes” that often prevent this from happening.
Beginning with verse twenty of this chapter and up to this verse, the jest of Solomon’s warnings has been to pay attention to proper instruction—holding fast to what is right, moral and good so that we would not be lured away by the “apparent beauty” of that which is not good, right and moral. In fact can we call it what it is—SIN? There…I’ve said it! The word we so often hate to hear and the one that is the largest gulf between who we are and who God is! Over thirty years ago, psychiatrist Karl Menninger penned the following words in his book Whatever Became of Sin?: "The very word, 'sin,' which seems to have disappeared, was once a proud word. It was once a strong word, an ominous and serious word. But the word went away. It has almost disappeared - the word, along with the notion. Why? Doesn't anyone sin anymore? Doesn't anyone believe in sin?" What was true then—is even more the case today. D.A. Carson, a widely recognized N.T. scholar commented a few years ago that the most frustrating part of doing evangelism on university campuses is that most students have no idea of sin. "They know how to sin well enough, but they have no idea of what constitutes sin."
Carson is right. Sin is rampant today. Couples live together prior to marriage and think nothing of it. People spread gossip without any remorse. Employees call in sick and then head to the beach for the day. I could go on, citing more examples, but I think you see my point. People know how to sin, but they do not know what sin is all about. Unfortunately, this lack of understanding about sin is having an impact upon the church. Christians today tolerate sin much more than a generation ago. In fact, there are a number of sins that we seem to gloss right over. Sure we know homosexuality is a sin and abortion is a sin - but what about envy? Gossip? Impatience? Aren't these sins as well?
Christian author Jerry Bridges recently came out with a book a few year ago which is titled, Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We tolerate. In one of his opening chapters, he states: "We see that the entire concept of sin has virtually disappeared from our American culture at large and has been softened, even within many of our churches, to accommodate modern sensibilities. Indeed, strong biblical words for sin have been excised from our vocabulary. People no longer commit adultery; they have an affair. Corporate executives do not steal; they commit fraud." Ouch!!
Since we have eliminated sin we have also eliminated the need for…are you ready for this…retribution! Think about it…if there is no sin there is no need to suffer the consequences of it. When people suffer from sinful decisions they have made instead of claiming responsibility for their actions and ask forgiveness from God and those they have committed their sins against, they turn to blame—search for excuses—or go on the Jerry Springer show and have their sins paraded as a badge of pride!
As I have stated before—there is a huge difference between sins and mistakes. We all make mistakes and things happen that are often out of our control! We make decisions that produce actions that may cause others to suffer—decisions and actions that were never intended to do that: meaning, causing others to hurt or violate God’s Law. But sin is real—but the good news is it does not have to linger in our lives. Allow me to conclude with a great verse of Scripture from the book of First John:

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” – 1st John 1:8-10 (NIV)
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
July 27, 2012

You Hungry?”
“Hunger is no excuse for a thief to steal…” – Proverbs 6:30 (MSG)

The temptation was there before him. It was dangling before him like the proverbial carrot before the horse. The shop owner was turned and talking to one of the customers. All he had to do was grab it and run. And who could blame him? He was hungry! Really hungry! Neither he, his mother or his three brothers and sisters have had a full meal for at least two weeks, only a scrap here and there when they could find something. The depression had taken his father’s job and now his father was gone looking for employment elsewhere, leaving his wife and children to fend for themselves the best they could. He was as hungry as could be—and that piece of meat would feed him and his family very well!
Yes, young Bobby would have any and every excuse possible to take what was not his. Hunger has a way of doing that to a person. It will make even the least palatable foods (to our particular tastes) become our favorite foods for the moment! I remember going on a three-day fast some years ago. It was self-imposed as I was going through a Spiritual Journey and felt I needed God’s strength more than my own. While I was on this fast I did not isolate myself from society or my family. When my family sat down for meals I was there with them…drinking my water…and unfortunately taking in the aroma of the foods around me. While I was on the fast my wife decided to make foods that were not necessarily my favorite which she believed would decrease the temptation to “sneak something in.” It did not work! I found myself craving even the foods that I normally had no interest in. That is what hunger will do! And Satan knows that! He knows what we “crave” in terms of our entire being! He knows the “hungers” we face—whether it is a real physical hunger or hungers of the will. Power—sex—fame—inclusion—recognition—attention…and the list goes on. The human spirit has been endowed with such cravings as the means to give our lives meaning and purpose. If there were no desires in us to be better—to grow as a person then what meaning would there be to our existence?
It is what we do with those cravings—hungers—that concerns God. We can use our “hunger pains” as the means to seek God’s understanding and wisdom (the whole purpose of the Proverbs) to better our lives or we can go the opposite route and misuse our cravings for selfish purposes. “Stealing” as it were to make things easier on us—at least that is what we think.
Bobby had a choice. His hunger told him he wanted that meat—His conscience told him that it was wrong. He knew it was wrong because his father had taught him that it was wrong. He could hear his mother’s voice—reading the Bible which would also tell him it was wrong! He thought just long enough for the store owner to turn and ask the young boy what he was doing. Instead of taking the piece of meat and running, Bobby asked the store owner if he could do some work for him—a chance to earn his food for his family. Something he would do for next three months until his father made his way home with enough money to sustain them for the next couple of months—when he would finally find a new job. Young Bobby thankfully did not give into the temptation. Thanks to his father’s new job he met some individuals that nurtured in him a passion that would define his life for years to come. Major League Baseball and New York Giants fans (now the San Francisco Giants) remember him, and in what has become known as, “The Shot ‘Heard Round the World,’” Bobby Thompson’s life was one purpose and strength. He was on three all-star teams in the late 1940’s early 50’s.
There is no excuse to do wrong! Even when appears the signals are a go—beware! God has a better way.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
July 26, 2012

“Stay Home!”
“So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished” – Proverbs 6:29

There are so many analogies to be used here it is difficult to pinpoint just one but here goes. In fact, we need to go back to a previous illustration to bring this point home. We all know what happened to both David and Bathsheba as a result of their affair. David was told that the child that was conceived from that affair would die—and of course, that was the result. The reason I mention Bathsheba is knowing how as the child’s mother she would grieve—probably even more so than David. David was also told by Nathan the prophet, that the sword would never leave his home—meaning violence in one form or another would mark his life up until his death. A prime example was when Absalom attempted to wrestle the kingdom away from his father, even going as far as taking what was David’s property in clear view of everyone in the kingdom. Through the centuries we have seen this same scenario played over and over. Not always necessarily in the sexual sense, but also in regards to power. Kings (and/or monarchs) seeking to capture more territory—ravishing villages and lands in the name of greed! Even Church leaders were not exempt from this greed, attempting to claim lands and property under the false pretense: “in the name of God.”
And yet this begs the question: How does this apply to us? To me? To you?
I know we have discussed this at another point but I believe it goes back to one of the most overlooked of all the Commandments: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox, or donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17, NIV; Emphasis mine)
I underlined that one line to emphasize the point that Solomon is making—but I bring up this verse to remind us that in each of us is a desire just waiting to be stirred that could produce this very attitude and that is what coveting is…an attitude. It starts out thinking, “wouldn’t that be nice.” Then it goes to “I think I want that.” Then it says, “I need that!” Finally it screams, “I am going to have that!” It is at that point the attitude becomes action and the deed is done!
When the serpent tempted Eve in the Garden, have you ever considered how long the temptation had been going on? Was this the first time or were there points leading up to the fateful event where she actually plucked the fruit from the tree? Had the serpent been dangling the fruit in front of her just long enough for her to finally give in?
God knows what we need and what we should have. He knows our breaking points and what belongs in our lives and what does not. To want, crave, desire that which in the long run will destroy is in reality the same as coveting. To want what is not ours to possess is destructive—not only to ourselves but to others as well!
If you want a great example, read the book or watch the movie, The Count of Monte Cristo. It is a perfect example of what happens when one man (Fernand Mondego) wanted (desired/coveted) the fiancé of his best friend and colleague, Edmond Dantes. Out of jealousy Fernand devised a way to have his friend arrested as a traitor, and sent to a prison where escape would be nearly impossible. It was then falsely reported that Edmond had died while in prison, allowing Fernand to marry Edmond’s fiancé. In the process, Edmond’s father, believing his son to be a traitor committed suicide. However, through a chance encounter while in the prison, Edmond did escape and uses his anger and hatred to extract revenge upon those who used their influence to destroy his future and his life. It is a story that could have been taken directly from Scripture. Have you ever wanted something so bad that you would do practically anything to have it? It is obvious there is a danger there that cannot be overlooked or ignored. There is nothing wrong to have desires—wants—goals and hopes. However, keep them in perspective and never allow them to evolve to the point where you would destroy others and yourself just to get what you want.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
July 25, 2012

“Holy Hotfoot!!”
“Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?” – Proverbs 6:28

Tony Robbins is a motivational speaker and has authored several books. Last week Robbins was hosting a 4-day gathering called “Unleash the Power Within” at the San Jose Convention Center. Witnesses say on Thursday, a crowd went to a park where 12 lanes of hot coals were on the grass. Robbins’ website promotes “The Firewalk Experience” in which people walk on super-heated coals. According to Robbins, this helps to inspire and encourage people to overcome their fear and achieve greater rewards. However, last week California Fire officials say at least 21 people were treated for burns after attendees of the firewalk experience were burned. Witness Jonathan Correll says he heard “screams of agony.” Fire Capt. Reggie Williams says organizers had an open fire permit and emergency personnel were on standby.
Walking on fire has existed for several thousand years, with records dating back to 1200 B.C. Cultures across the globe, from Greece to China, used firewalking for rites of healing, initiation, and faith. Firewalking became popular in America during the 1970s when author Tolly Burkan began a campaign to demystify the practice. He offered evening firewalking courses that were open to anyone in the general public. The demand for firewalking classes became so great that in 1984 Burkan began training instructors. Recently, in the United States, firewalking is used by businesses to build teamwork and as a so-called alternative health remedy.
Who in the world thought that walking on hot coals was (or is) a “good idea?” In fact, as I was reading the article I listed above the author went on to describe the “Risks when doing firewalking improperly?” You mean to tell me there are risks? I have a hard time believing that!

· People have burned their feet when they remained in the fire for too long, enabling the thermal conductivity of the coals to catch up.
· One is more likely to be burned when running through the coals since running pushes one's feet deeper into the embers, resulting in the top of the feet being burnt. · Foreign objects in the coals may result in burns. Metal is especially dangerous since it has a high thermal conductivity.
· Coals which have not burned long enough can burn feet more quickly. Coals contain water, which increases their heat capacity as well as their thermal conductivity. The water must be evaporated already when the firewalk starts.
· Wet feet can cause coals to cling to them, increasing the exposure time.

Therefore, even if firewalking is explained with simple physics, there are still hazards. (Ya think?)
Is there something in the human psyche that believes one can do practically anything to their body without there being some repercussions? I’m inclined to think so after reading the previous paragraphs and also seeing what human beings do to themselves and to each other on a daily basis. My father served in the Air Force for 20 years. He probably would have stayed in longer had it not been for his health—the fact was, he had cancer. Lung cancer to be more specific. My mother found this out after my father had died that when the military doctors had diagnosed my father (9 years before) he had been told that if he had quit smoking when he was told he would add several years to his life. He did not heed their advice and died at the age of 51. I was eight years old at the time and would live the rest of my childhood without a father, and my mother without a husband. I think it would be safe to say my father was walking on “hot coals” at that point.
I want to be careful here by saying that I am not picking exclusively on smokers. The point of Solomon’s message had nothing to do with the dangers of smoking, and yet it has everything to do with it. And one does not need to stop there to know there are a number of issues we can add to this spiritual bed of hot coals. Drug addicts are in the same category. Those who are sexually promiscuous also fall into this category. Those who steal...lie…so on and so forth!
My point is that as ludicrous as walking on hot coals appears to be—millions do the same with other areas of their lives on a daily basis! They do this believing they can act in a way without getting hurt—or hurting others.
In our “walk of life,” there will come a point and a place where a bed of hot coals could be placed in front of us. The issue is do we attempt to walk across them thinking we will not get burned, or do we walk around them knowing we will not get burned! The decision is ours to make. Where are you walking right now?
Posted to Religious by Quentin Clingerman @ 7:57 am EDT