Isaiah 5: A Song by R.A. Riel

ISAIAH 5
ISRAEL OF THE FLESH (the unsaved)
(SONG)

My well beloved had a vineyard in a very fruitful hill.
He planted, removed the stones, built a tower and cared for it until…
the very day He saw in horror that His vineyard was defiled.
This precious vineyard that He had cared for
brought forth grapes bitter and wild.

CHORUS: “Israel, oh Israel, My people:
oh this vineyard speaks of you.
With much love I toiled with sweat and blood, Israel.
Now there’s only one thing left for me to do.
Israel, oh Israel, My people.
Yes, this vineyard speaks of you.
With much pain, I prepared for you, My glory.
You’ve turned wild.  You’re the ones I never knew!

“Woe, Woe, Woe, Israel, My people,
your Greed and lust are pridefully strong.
Woe to you, My vineyard people.
You pretend you’re mine and think you do no wrong.
But, tribulation, great destruction is upon you
for the millions of babies you let kill.
Hear My three woes.  Hear the trumpets.  You’re defeated.
You’re uprooted from My hill.
(Repeat first stanza of chorus.)

END: So depart.  I never knew you.  So depart.  I never knew you.
                                                                                R.A.Riel     

 

 

 

Touch Not the Unclean Thing…

Today is August 7th

I try each day in my Bible study to read the Proverb corresponding to the date. So today I was reading Proverbs 7.

Here it is as translated in the NAB-The New American Bible. I usually prefer the KJV, but for this proverb I think it translated well for modern time.

1

My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands.

2

Keep my commands and live, my teaching as the apple of your eye;

3

Bind them on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart.

4

Say to Wisdom, “You are my sister!” call Understanding, “Friend!”

5

That they may keep you from another’swife, from the adulteress with her smooth words.

6

For at the window of my house, through my lattice I looked out–

7

And I saw among the simple ones, I observed among the young men, a youth with no sense,

8

Going along the street near the corner, then walking in the direction of her house–

9

In the twilight, at dusk of day, at the time of the dark of night.

10

And lo! the woman comes to meet him, robed like a harlot, with secret designs–

11

She is fickle and unruly, in her home her feet cannot rest;

12

Now she is in the streets, now in the open squares, and at every corner she lurks in ambush–

13

When she seizes him, she kisses him, and with an impudent look says to him:

14      I owed peace offerings, and today I have fulfilled my vows;

15

So I came out to meet you, to look for you, and I have found you!

16

With coverlets I have spread my couch, with brocaded cloths of Egyptian linen;

17

I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon.

18

“Come, let us drink our fill of love, until morning, let us feast on love!

19

For my husband is not at home, he has gone on a long journey;

20

A bag of money he took with him, not till the full moon will he return home.”

21

She wins him over by her repeated urging, with her smooth lips she leads him astray;

22

He follows her stupidly, like an ox that is led to slaughter; Like a stag that minces toward the net,

23

till an arrow pierces its liver; Like a bird that rushes into a snare, unaware that its life is at stake.

24

So now, O children, listen to me, be attentive to the words of my mouth!

25

Let not your heart turn to her ways, go not astray in her paths;

26

For many are those she has struck down dead, numerous, those she has slain.

27

Her house is made up of ways to the nether world, leading down into the chambers of death.

This struck me, this proverb, because last night I was in downtown Greensboro with my husband and as I was walking on the sidewalk of the main street, Elm St., I was struck by the women that were walking around and in particular their attire or lack thereof. 

I know our culture encourages women to put all that they have on display, but it just seemed to me to be getting worse and worse. I was concerned for my husband since he has to do business and is around the area a lot. The women looked like prostitutes. Whether they were or not, I don’ know, but it truly saddened me.  These poor souls are following down the wide pathof our Godless culture. They are simply modeling what they see in the media. And even for Christians, I must admit, most of us are not as modest as perhaps we should be. I admit to some vanity, I like to keep up with fashion to some extent. I don’ t really have an urge to were a head-covering or skirts to my ankles. I guess I feel it looks out of place. But when I think of it, should not we as Christian women act as we are called to by God “to be in the world, but not of the world.”  1John 2:15-17.

Just looking about, it is easy to see the truth of the scripture, that the World is waxing worse and worse. I am not shocked, but sad about it.  I hope that Christian women will be able to not look just like the world. I am not Amish or a Mennonite, but some form of modesty, is good I believe. I also believe that modesty is in ones’ deportment and how one carries one’sself, not simply in clothing choice. If a woman carries herself with dignity and humility;I believe that shows outwardly and men will know where she is coming from. But the opposite is true as referred to the ‘impudent’ look of the harlot. Impudent meaning “Brashly bold and immodest”. ref: American Heritage Dictionary.  I cannot expect worldly women to be modest, they will go about alluring men and causing them to lust, but Christian women should know better and do better, myself included.

To Christian men: The three things that we must be careful to guard against says the Lord are: The lust of the flesh, The lust of the eyes, and the Pride of Life. These are the things which are in the World. I hope we will remember also what Jesus said-”Come out from among them and be you separate, touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you.” 2 Cor. 6:17.  I know as we all do that men are driven to lust by their eyes,fairly easily. So men, I am know it must be a daily battle for you. But keep up the good fight. We need Godly men to show the way.

We are all being bombarded and inundated constantly by “unclean” things. I pray we will come out and walk as lights in this world as we are called. Let us not lose our “saltiness” If we do, then what good are we?

In Encouragement,

LG

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount/ Beatitudes Essay

Leslie Gydos- ESSAY – Beatitudes (Matthew Chap. 5:1-12)

 

What I think these verses mean to me as a believer:

 

I love the way Jesus goes up onto the mountain to preach, here. This is very typical of our Lord. He hardly, if ever, did his preaching in a building. He did his preaching and teaching out-of-doors where crowds could gather and those who wished could gather and hear him. I like this about Jesus, plus it was really cost-effective since no expensive structure with all the accoutrements (A/C, padded pews, baptismal fount, etc.) had to be financed.

 

In verse three Christ says something which is interesting because it is so contrary to what most folks in the post-modern day culture, especially unbelievers, think “blessed” or happy means. He says the Poor in Spirit are blessed, not the rich or those who have great wealth or earthly possessions. He says that we, as weak human “flesh bags” are actually blessed if we follow after him. This is good news to us, who are constantly struggling with heartache, pain, and suffering in our flesh, here on earth. So our Lord shows here that true happiness comes from our personal knowledge of our savior and nothing else.

 

Blessed are they that mourn…this refers to a believers Godly sorrow. This differs from worldly sorrow which actually brings death. But God allows us to be sorrowful and mourn things in such a way that is redemptive. Only He can do this through us.

Blessed are the meek…they’ll inherit the earth.  Meekness towards God, which implies two things: submission to his will; flexibleness to his Word. Submission to God’s will: when we carry ourselves calmly; without complaining or murmuring. This reminds me of what my friend, Tonya keeps telling me about how God has hand-picked all circumstances for each of us to perfect us in humility and in all our ways.  Flexibleness to God’s Word: When we are willing to let the Word bear sway in our souls and become pliable to all its laws and maxims. He is spiritually meek who conforms himself to the mind of God, and does not quarrel with the instructions of the Word.

Blessed are those which do hunger and thirst after Righteousness, for they shall be filled. This basically says that when a believer aligns his will with God’s will and ways of righteousness then he will be filled with the Joy of doing what is right and Godly. Doing what is right and Godly is its own reward. It is the feeling of a clear conscience toward God and brings great peace.

Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.  This relates to the law: You shall reap what you sow. If we sow mercy then we will reap mercy. Just as we will with anything. Also reference Mark 11:25 “And when you stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive your trespasses.

Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.  Refer also to 1 John 3: 2 & 3. For it does yet appear what we shall be… but when He that is perfect is come we shall see him as he is and become as he is. So thusly we should purify our hearts with this great hope in mind. Don’t we want to see God? I know I do.

Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.  One of the many names of or Lord Jesus is The Prince of Peace and so if we are His children then we should naturally desire to make peace with all men and in all situations for His sake. If we are strife-makers and angry people then we are not being like Him.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. What blessing is there if we are persecuted for wrong-doing? We deserve that. But when we get criticized or condemned for Christ sake then we are blessed eternally and are supposed to be happy, actually joyful, about it. I have had this persecution happen to me many times and I admit it is tough to be happy at the moment when it happens, because no one likes to be criticized or put down, but when you are standing up for the Gospel and for Jesus then you know in your heart you will have that Eternal reward. It does take dying to self and flesh.

Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. This one goes hand in hand with the above. But it refers more specifically to slander or false words spoken about us as Christians. This is a toughy too. But I think of how they lied about Jesus and slandered him. They even charged Christ, himself, who cast out devils, to have a devil (John 8: 48). So if they would charge our Perfect Lord with something like that, then we should not be shocked or offended if they do the same to us when we stand up for Him.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. This verse helps us to contextualize our own persecutions. If evil men persecuted our Lord and His Prophets of old, of course evil men being the same as always, will persecute us. We should be glad because by going through these persecutions we are entering into the sufferings of Christ. And the Bible tells us that if we suffer with Him then we shall reign with Him!