Insights for Today

Think with Discernment, Part One
by Charles R. Swindoll

1 Corinthians 2:12-16

There is a Persian proverb that sounds more like a tongue twister than sound advice. My high school speech teacher had us memorize it for obvious reasons:

He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool; shun him.
He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a child; teach him.
He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep; wake him.
He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise; follow him.

All four "types" can be found on every campus, in any business, among all neighborhoods, within each church. They don't wear badges, nor do they introduce themselves accordingly. You'll never have someone walk up, shake your hand, and say, "Hi, I'm Donald. I'm a fool." Chances are good that the last thing he will want you to discover is the deep-down truth that "he knows not that he knows not."

Then how in the world are we to know whom to shun, to teach, to awaken, or to follow? Discernment is the answer. Skill and accuracy in reading character. The ability to detect and identify the real truth. To see beneath the surface and correctly "size up" the situation. To read between the lines of the visible.

Is it a valuable trait? Answer for yourself. When God told Solomon to make a wish---any wish---and it would be granted, the king responded:

"Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil." (1 Kings 3:9)

And who doesn't know about the wisdom of Solomon to this very day? Paul informed us that discernment is one characteristic that accompanies genuine spirituality (1 Corinthians 2:14-16). The writer of Hebrews 5:14 called it a mark of maturity. Discernment gives one a proper frame of reference, a definite line separating good and evil. It acts as an umpire in life and blows the whistle on the spurious. It's as particular as a pathologist peering into a microscope. Discernment picks and chooses its dates with great care. It doesn't fall for fakes

. . . or flirt with phonies
. . . or dance with deceivers
. . . or kiss counterfeits good night.

Come to think of it, discernment would rather relax alone at night with the Good Book than mess around with the gullible gang. You see, it's from that Book that discernment learns to distinguish the fools from the children . . . and the sleeping from the wise.

Before you start in on the old bromide, "But that doesn't sound very loving!" better take another look at John's counsel. You remember John. He's the guy known for his tender love for Jesus. He wrote:

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. (1 John 4:1)

In today's talk: "Stop believing everything you hear. Quit being so easily convinced. Be selective. Think. Discern!"

Daily Bible Reading

Deutermonoy 7:12-16

Blessings for Obedience

(Lev 26.1—13; Deut 28.1—14)

If you heed these ordinances, by diligently observing them, the LORD your God will maintain with you the covenant loyalty that he swore to your ancestors; he will love you, bless you, and multiply you; he will bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flock, in the land that he swore to your ancestors to give you. You shall be the most blessed of peoples, with neither sterility nor barrenness among you or your livestock. The LORD will turn away from you every illness; all the dread diseases of Egypt that you experienced, he will not inflict on you, but he will lay them on all who hate you. You shall devour all the peoples that the LORD your God is giving over to you, showing them no pity; you shall not serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you.




Note: Today's Gospel reading is John 1:35-42. Find a Bible translation.

From the New Revised Standard Version. Reprinted with permission from HarperBibles

Daily Bible Reading

Deutermonoy 7:12-16

Blessings for Obedience

(Lev 26.1—13; Deut 28.1—14)

If you heed these ordinances, by diligently observing them, the LORD your God will maintain with you the covenant loyalty that he swore to your ancestors; he will love you, bless you, and multiply you; he will bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flock, in the land that he swore to your ancestors to give you. You shall be the most blessed of peoples, with neither sterility nor barrenness among you or your livestock. The LORD will turn away from you every illness; all the dread diseases of Egypt that you experienced, he will not inflict on you, but he will lay them on all who hate you. You shall devour all the peoples that the LORD your God is giving over to you, showing them no pity; you shall not serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you.




Note: Today's Gospel reading is John 1:35-42. Find a Bible translation.

From the New Revised Standard Version. Reprinted with permission from HarperBibles

Daily Bible Reading

Deutermonoy 7:12-16

Blessings for Obedience

(Lev 26.1—13; Deut 28.1—14)

If you heed these ordinances, by diligently observing them, the LORD your God will maintain with you the covenant loyalty that he swore to your ancestors; he will love you, bless you, and multiply you; he will bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flock, in the land that he swore to your ancestors to give you. You shall be the most blessed of peoples, with neither sterility nor barrenness among you or your livestock. The LORD will turn away from you every illness; all the dread diseases of Egypt that you experienced, he will not inflict on you, but he will lay them on all who hate you. You shall devour all the peoples that the LORD your God is giving over to you, showing them no pity; you shall not serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you.




Note: Today's Gospel reading is John 1:35-42. Find a Bible translation.

From the New Revised Standard Version. Reprinted with permission from HarperBibles

Recent Miracle in Egypt (a forwarded message from a friend)

Subject: Recent miracle in Egypt !
Broadcasted in CBS...
A Muslim man in Egypt killed his wife because she was reading the Bible and then buried her with their infant baby and an 8-year old daughter.

The girls were buried alive! He then reported to the police that an uncle killed the kids. 15 days later, another family member died. When they went to bury him, they found the 2 little girls under the sand - ALIVE!

The country is outraged over the incident, and the man will be executed at the end of July.

The older girl was asked how she had survived and she says:- 'A man wearing shiny white clothes, with bleeding wounds in his hands, came every day to feed us. He woke up my mom so she could nurse my sister,' she said. She was interviewed on Egyptian national TV, by a veiled Muslim woman news anchor.. She said on public TV, 'This was none other than Jesus, because nobody else does things like this!'

Muslims believe Isa (Jesus) would do this, but the wounds mean He really was crucified, and it's clear also that He is alive! But, it's also clear that the child could not make up a story like this, and there is no way these children could have survived without a true miracle.

Muslim leaders are going to have a hard time to figure out what to do with this, and the popularity of the Passion movie doesn't help! With Egypt at the centre of the media and education in the Middle East , you can be sure this story will spread. Christ is still controlling and turning the world. Please let this story be shared..

The Lord says, 'I will bless the person who puts his trust in me. (Jeremiah 17)

HEALTH WARNING (forwarded by a friend)

This is a huge issue here. Please read & know.

HEALTH WARNING
Supermarket Shelf Poisons

Anybody that takes Vitamin C (and most people should) avoid the following Soft drinks Sunkist, Fanta, Diet Coke, Sprite, & Pepsi Max.



These drinks contain Sodium Benzoate 211 on the label. A chemical reaction between Vitamin C and Sodium Benzoate creates Benzine a highly Carcinogenic chemical (story by Channel 9).

Benzine has the ability to severely damage the DNA in the Mitochondria to the point that it totally inactivates it, knocks it out altogether. The Mitochondria consumes Oxygen to give you energy, and if you damage it, then the cell starts to malfunction very seriously, often fatally, a whole array of Diseases has been tied to the damage to the DNA, including Parkinson's Disease and quite a lot of Neuro-Degenerative Diseases..


This is a follow-up of all the TV station's story on Mentos and Diet Coke. Don't mix these two either, they cause a chemical reaction (explosion) in the stomach, it's not only Mentos but also any Mint products. Mint Life Savers, Tic Tac's, Cool Mint's, etc, the Mint is not the culprit here but the Aspartame in the Diet Drinks, 951 on the label, also avoid 950 Acelsultame F (same thing). Aspartame poisoning has been scientifically linked to 92 Symptoms of Disease ... Still going to drink your Diet Drinks???




Most European countries have forbidden the Importing and use in their Country of Aspartame including all makes of Saccharin, example Equal, Nutra-Sweet, Spoonful & Diet Drinks, including 6,000 consumer Good's and Beverages, sold on the Supermarket shelves . this ban affect's all use of this product in any type o consumable infringement and will carry penalties that go from 9.000 euros to 90,000 Euros.

Mexico is also considering banning all 6,000 products of Aspartame on its Supermarket shelves. In Mexico Aspartame is known as Rumsfeld's Disease, after George Bush's mate Donald Rumsfeld. The Nutra-Sweet company and Searle are owned by Monsanto who appointed Rumsfeld as their General Manager, so they could use his clout with Parliament to get this Deadly Poison passed by the FDA and boost their sales of Aspartame.


Avoid all Toothpastes made in China , especially Colgate's they contain Ethylene Glycol.. This is an Anti-Freezing agent, Highly Toxic and even Fatal -- it destroys the Liver, Kidney, Lung, Blood Cells, Heart and the Nervous System. It is also in some Mouth Washes, Make-up, Aftershave, Baby Powder and Wipes, Shampoo, and Deodorants.



Avoid Smarties; they contain almost every Toxic artificial colour on the market. The worst are 102, 104, and the worst of all 110 Carcinogenic, 124 undesirable, 127 Carcinogenic 128 Extreme Caution, 129,131, and 133 are also carcinogenic. To top it off Smarties are not even made of Chocolate (neither are Tim Tam's). Synthetic Chocolate has non-nutritional food value whatsoever.

Read your labels -- it may one day save your life.

PLEASE SHARE.....

Answer to Question: Does God Have a Perfect Mate for Everyone?

A: No, marriage is not for everyone. For those God calls to marry, however, they must wait for His choice and His timing. If we allow God, He will lead us to the mate best suited for us, although not necessarily perfect. "God's best" is such person who complements our personality, background, and desires, and whose genetic makeup, when joined to ours can produce offspring pleasing to Him, to us and our spouses, and to our fellow men.

The variables involved in this are mathematically staggering. it is, therefore, essential for us to seek God's infinite wisdom in the choice of our mates. It is good to ask God to lead you to various places where there are single people to meet -- social gatherings at church, an educational opportunity, or some other place where there are people of like interests and beliefs.

Only a mate who Jesus Christ living within can ever be considered suitable for us. That is standard. Only then can we pray for someone responsible, dependable, godly, not quarrelsome, with a submissive spirit, among other things. From there, we can look forward to limitless possibilities regarding specific traits and attributes because we can never stereotype "God's best." Each person has a unique personality. It will take one unique individual to complement another.

OMF Literature

Insomnia

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a condition in which you have trouble falling or staying asleep. Some people with insomnia may fall asleep easily but wake up too soon. Other people may have the opposite problem, or they have trouble with both falling asleep and staying asleep. The end result is poor-quality sleep that doesn't leave you feeling refreshed when you wake up.

Types of Insomnia

There are two types of insomnia. The most common type is called secondary insomnia. More than 8 out of 10 people with insomnia are believed to have secondary insomnia. Secondary means that the insomnia is a symptom or a side-effect of some other problem. Some of the problems that can cause secondary insomnia include:

• Certain illnesses, such as some heart and lung diseases

• Pain, anxiety, and depression

• Medicines that delay or disrupt sleep as a side-effect

• Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and other substances that affect sleep

• Another sleep disorder, such as restless legs syndrome; a poor sleep environment; or a change in sleep routine

In contrast, primary insomnia is not a side-effect of medicines or another medical problem. It is its own disorder, and generally persists for least 1 month or longer.

Overview

Insomnia is a common health problem. It can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and a lack of energy. Long-term insomnia can cause you to feel depressed or irritable; have trouble paying attention, learning, and remembering; and not do your best on the job or at school. Insomnia also can limit the energy you have to spend with friends or family.

Insomnia can be mild to severe depending on how often it occurs and for how long. Chronic insomnia means having symptoms at least 3 nights per week for more than a month. Insomnia that lasts for less time is known as short-term or acute insomnia.

Selfishness and Laziness Killls You Slow ...

Sitting down, or just lying down in your most convenient position ... watching your favorite movie film, or yet listening to your music while imagining lots and lots of things believing as if you're the big boss and can do anything as you wished for ... time runs so fast, and find yourself in a heavy mood as your day-dream lands seemingly smoothly ... then delegate almost everything to your subordinates .... how does it feel? Aren't you cranky, irritable, and so bully?! Aha! ... your mouth is so busy ruling, that is! .... yeah, reprimanding the people around you correcting their errors ... is that so? What about yours? ... Uh-uh ... don't mind me, I'm busy thinking here ... is that so? Yeah -- yeah ... there goes the litany of your so-called "rightful" things you did in the past stating it heartily in your speech as if these people around you owes you their lives! ...

One day you wake up feeling sick ... uneasy ... then, you start complaining about what you feel, how you feel, and where you think it feels. Why do you think that is? How many of us can truly admit our selfishness ... laziness to move and act? Yet, if we do things rightly, we act as if we're in command. Little do we realize that we make those people around us especially our loved- ones, obligate them to pay back the good things we did .... Oooooohhh so bad!!! But then, they just do what they can, just to either avoid friction or to hurt you bad. The question is, what price do we get from behaving this way?

Study shows that many people fall into many forms of various illness such as stroke, obesity, and even cancer. We are not just a living thing ... we are human, made in the image and likeness of God. If God Himself never sleeps, yet gave us the gift of time and life to enjoy it according to HIs purpose by doing something according to given accountability ... then one must have to move! We've been given time to everything ... time to sleep, weep, laugh, eat, drink. play, work, rest, love ...and a lot more.

A sedentary life like those who work in the office almost on a daily routine sitting down, at least 75% to 85% suffers stroke illness as they age in time. So, why take its short way of going there from doing nothing at all? Aha! ... it's the most favorite pronoun "I" that comes first ... that is why. No matter how healthy a person is, but with this kind of activity and character ... you'll die just too soon.

Many wouldn't want to believe this, but wait till it's your turn ... then do not complain! For selfishness in this world is too dangerous; this world is full of filth and deceit ... why then wanting to grab the "I" character? It's just like, " I will get all the dirt and aches first," Then from not moving-on, you'll just be overtaken by laziness ... one day, you become too lazy to eat or even to be cured. Think about this!

Pork Luncheon Meat Banned

There goes the world's yummiest luncheon pork.
Banned Can Food!
Cancer-causing antibiotic found in popular luncheon pork

SINGAPORE- The agent of a popular mainland canned pork product has initiated a recall and suspended sales after tests showed a sample contained a cancer-causing antibiotic.

The Centre for Food Safety yesterday revealed this after laboratory tests showed a sample of Shanghai Ma Ling B2 340g pork luncheon meat (less sodium) was found to have traces of nitrofurans.

The batch number is B2 5 for the product, which carries a best-before date of December 26, 2009 . According to the sole agent, the canned pork was imported on only two occasions - last December and January this year. The scare spread when Singapore 's Agri -Food and Veterinary Authority detected carcinogenic traces in a consignment of canned pork from Ma Ling and Gulong food processing factories.

These brands have been banned from entering Singapore since August 2007 for containing nitrofurans( an antibiotic for pigs)

Chinese Malaysians pls be cautious !-
Including Portuguese Malaysians (and Indians!) who enjoy this Luncheon Pork.

Q: Does the Bible allow sex for pleasure?

A: Proverbs 5: 18-23 says a man should rejoice in the wife of his youth, being satisfied with her breasts and captivated by her love. The apostle Paul reminded Christian couples in Corinth that sexual intimacy is their spouses’ right. Couples should abstain therefore only for the purpose of prayer, by mutual agreement and for a limited period.

Marital sex is a great mystery, and a source of awe. In the book Songs of Solomon in the Bible, we read of the intimacies a man and his bride enjoyed. The book speaks of the delights of sex and the contentment, satisfaction and peace it brings (see Chapters 2:3; 8:10). There is no sense of shame in the couple, only of ecstasy, joy and the pain of separation when the loved one is absent.

Within marriage, sexual intimacy is a celebration. Scriptures make it plain that sex has a dual purpose – UNITIVE and PROCREATIVE. Within marriage, sex has been described as “one of those good bridging experiences,” as well as a powerful means of strengthening the marriage bond. Marital sex is a powerful therapy for loneliness inner isolation. The confusion about the wholesomeness of sex stems from the non-biblical idea that sex is a goddess to be worshiped. Sex in marriage is God’s gift, it is pleasurable and something to enjoy only in the bounds of marriage.

Q: What is the difference between ADULTERY & FORNICATION?

A: ADULTERY is sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not his or her mate. FORNICATION, on the other hand, is sex between two unmarried people.


The Ten Commandments contain the prohibition against adultery (see Exodus 20:14). Marriage is the foundation of society, and with it comes the responsibility of child rearing. Casual sex outside marriage endangers it, and destroys the paternal or maternal feeling for children of the marriage. Casual sex blurs the lines of inheritance and family, clan and tribal relationships.

Fornication, the apostle Paul said, is a sin against the body. He commands Christians to flee fornication as a sin against self and God, for the believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 6:18-19). Today, the term fornication is rarely used, and immorality between unmarried people is accepted as a lifestyle. The Bible warns that neither fornicators nor adulterers will enter the kingdom of heaven (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10), unless they repent.


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CBN International Ministries

THE ANSWER (100 Questions Mostly Asked)

Copyright @ 1994 by CBN International
All Scriptures, unless otherwise indicated are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright @ 1985 by the International Bible Society and used with permission.
Published 1994 in the Philippines by OMF Literature Inc. 776 Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila. Reprinted August 1994, 1995
ISBN 971-511-332-X

All these questions below shall be answered one at a time as asked and given:

Part 1: WHY IS OUR SOCIETY SO WICKED?

• Why is there suffering in this world?
• Why is there so much evil around us?
• Will man ever love his fellow man?
• Will there ever be a cure for all diseases?
• What is the purpose of government?
• Is it alright for a Christian to be involved in police work or military service?
• When may a Christian disobey the civil government?
• Is capital punishment wrong?
• What do employers and employees owe each other?

Part 2: WHAT IS GOD LIKE?

• What is God like?
• How can there be a Trinity, a three-in-one God?
• If God is love, how can He send anyone to hell?
• What was God's intention for mankind?
• Is Jesus God?
• Who was Jesus exactly, a man or God?
• What makes Jesus' teachings unique?
• When Jesus died on the cross, did He also die spiritually?
• What is the indwelling Spirit?
• What is the fruit of the Spirit?
• What are the gifts of the Spirit?

Part 3: DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES AND THE SUPERNATURAL?

• What are angels?
• How powerful is Satan?
• Can a Christian be demon-possessed?
• What is the gift of the "discerning of spirits?"
• Do seances, ouija boards and fortune-telling lead to demonic possession?
• Are healing caused by the power of suggestion?
• Should Christians consult with doctors and take medicines?
• Does God always heal the sick when we ask Him to do so?
• What are the secrets of miracles in our lives?

Part 4: WHICH IS THE TRUE CHURCH?

• What is the one true church?
• What are the chief differences between Roman Catholics and Protestants?
• How do I recognize a cult?
• What does the Unification Church teach?
• What are the principal beliefs of mind control, spiritism and Hinduism?
• What is the greatest problem facing the church today?
• What form of church government is the best?
• Is Saturday or Sunday the true Sabbath?
• What are tithes?
• What is prayer?

Part 5: HOW DO I GET SAVED?

• What is God's law and how did I break it?
• What is meant by justification of faith?
• What does being born again mean? Do I have to be born again in order to be a Christian?
• If I sin, will I lose my salvation?
• What part does the Virgin Mary play in my salvation?
• Why aren't the wicked punished for what they do?
• Do I have to speak in tongues in order to be saved?
• What is the age of accountability?
• What is predestination?
• How can I have free will if God knows everything in advance?
• Is there life after death?
• Do I have to go to church to be saved?
• Can I ever lose my place in heaven?

Part 6: CAN I IMPROVE MYSELF?

• How can I be a better person?
• Can I ever live a holy life?
• What must a person do to become a saint?
• What law of the kingdom is at the heart of all relationships?
• Do people have to be poor in order to be holy?
• How do I forgive my enemies?
• What is man like?
• What is the secret of happiness?
• What is success?
• How do I get over depression?
• How do I overcome fear?
• How can I be stable and mature spiritually?
• What is the secret of financial prosperity?
• How can I know God's will?

Part 7: WHAT IS IDEAL MARRIAGE AND FAMILY?

• Is it all right for a Christian to marry an unbeliever?
• What obligations do marriage partners have to each other?
• If I am married to an unbeliever, should I stay or leave the marriage?
• What is the difference between adultery and fornication?
• Does the Bible allow sex for pleasure?
• What does the Bible say about homosexuality?
• Does God have a perfect mate for everyone?
• Does the Bible permit artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization?
• What training should I give my children?
• Is physical punishment for children allowed in the Bible?
• Should grown children still continue to honor their parents?

Part 8: HOW DO YOU KNOW WHICH IS RIGHT AND WHICH IS WRONG?

• Are "little white lies" wrong?
• What does "to bear false witness" means?
• How could I tell whether something is sinful or not?
• Is all pride sinful?
• Is taking alcoholic drinks a sin?
• Does the Bible really prohibit women from teaching men?
• Are suicide victims forgiven?
• Is cremation right or wrong?
• Is acupuncture wrong?
• Are credit cards to be associated with the mark of the beast?
• What is the greatest sin in the kingdom of God?

Part 9: WHAT WILL THE FUTURE BE LIKE?

• Will there ever be lasting peace in our country?
• Will Christians have to go through the Great Tribulation?
• What does the future hold for me and my family?
• What is heaven like?
• What is the difference between heaven, paradise and purgatory?
• What does the Bible teach about the Jewish people and the nation of Israel?
• Will I have my family in heaven?
• What virtues and vices survive death?
• Who or what is the Antichrist?
• What is hell like?
• When is Jesus coming back?

Foreword

Life is difficult. People are continuously searching for wise and practical solutions to their many problems and needs. They want to listen to straightforward answer to questions about themselves, their relationships, sex, marriage and family, their jobs, their aspirations, the future, God, death, happiness, and other serious concerns.

Dr. Pat Robertson, long-time host of the popular TV news-talk program the 700 Club, tackles 100 of these most significant questions in his new book THE ANSWER. Each of his answer is based on the serious study of the Bible for the truths it offers, and from seeing these truths work in the lives of many people.

The ANSWER deals with the most frequently-asked questions such as:

• What does the future hold for me and my family?
• Why is there suffering in the world?
• Why is there so much evil around us?
• Will there ever be a cure for all diseases?
• Will there be lasting peace in this country?
• Will man ever lose his fellow man?
• How can I be a better person? ...

And there are 90 additional questions that address the heart of the Christian faith and the vital concerns that we share.

With many Bible passages quoted, this topic is a good beginning for an exciting exploration of Scriptures. It is also a powerful reminder that the Bible is one sure source for wisdom -- the place we should turn to for the essential answers we need to live full lives.

OMF Literature Inc.