7 Reasons to Celebrate our Life in Christ

Paul tells us, ALL praise to God who has blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing. The 7 reasons to celebrate our life in Christ is a study of the first 14 verses of Ephesians. Click on the link below to read this life changing post.

https://www.ramckinley.com/7-reasons-to-celebrate-our-life-in-christ/

What did Jesus mean when He said to turn the other cheek if someone slaps you (Matthew 5:38,39)?  Or if someone should sue you and take you shirt, we’re to give him our cloak also (Matthew 5:40)? Or if anyone forces you to carry their stuff for one mile, to carry it an extra mile (Matthew 5:41)?  How are we to interpret these verses? If we interpret them literally, Christians would be the poorest, most abused people on the planet. So what the heck is Jesus talking about? Are we not to defend ourselves? How to these passages apply to our lives?

     A good interpreter will take into consideration the following;
-the type of literature the particular scripture is in…
-the immediate context of the verse…
-are there figures of speech or idioms being used?…
-how do other scriptures apply to these particular verses?…we know the bible doesn’t contradict itself so we have to interpret a particular scripture in light of other scriptures also.

So let’s look at several of these scriptures. We’ll start with the well-known verses in Exodus 21:22-25 and Leviticus 24:18-20.  These are the verses about taking “an eye for an eye”. These verses are known as the ‘Lex Talionis’ or the law of retaliation. They imply that if someone caused you to lose an eye, that their eye should be blinded as well. But remember, this is a legal code, meant to prevent people from retaliating. It’s a way of making sure the punishment fits the crime. It’s meant to prevent people from retaliating, to let the law punish the offender by making the punishment proportional to the offense. This law only applied to the government justice system. It prevented people from getting personal revenge.

     Leo Tolstoy, a 19^th century Russian novelist and social reformer, said this verse was meant to prohibit all violence, public or private, either by you, the police or the military. He went so far as to not resisting a thief of murderer. If this was the meaning of the verse (and it’s not), this would prevent us from disciplining our own children when they disobey.
The bible also tells us to ‘resist the devil’ in Ephesians 6:13 James 4:7 and 1^st Peter 5:8,9. Paul resisted Peter publicly in Galatians 2:11-21. Roman 13:1-7 clearly endorses the right and responsibility of human government to resist and punish evildoers.
If someone attacks your neighbor, we’re called to defend them in Romans 12:17-21 & 1^st Peter 2:21-23. What Jesus is forbidding is taking personal revenge when nothing is at stake except our pride, our reputation and our so-called rights.
Let’s be clear, Jesus is not advocating moral compromise or total pacifism. Remember, He has taught responsibility and morality. He even violently resisted the money-changers in the Temple in Matthew 21:12-17.

     In Matthew 5:39 notice He says when someone slaps you on the “right” cheek. When someone does this to you, they’re slapping you with the back of their hand. This is considered a degrading & insulting assault on your dignity and honor. This is where Jesus says to show them the other cheek. This is saying that you’re not offended by their action and that you’re not taking revenge on them. What would you do if someone attacked you? Defend yourself! Jesus is not calling you to be stupid when it comes to our physical welfare or that of others. He is only talking about an insult to your honor.

     In Matthew 5:40, Jesus says that “If anyone would sue you and take your tunic, you should let them have your cloak as well.” But remember, in the first century a tunic was like a shirt and a cloak was like a coat (it was also used as bedding at night). In Ezekiel 22:26,27, it says “If ever you take your neighbors cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the Sun goes down, for that is his covering, and it is his cloak for his body in what else shall he sleep.”

     If taken literally, what’s to prevent a person from demanding your shoes, socks, pants, your 401k and virtually anything else? You’d soon have a bunch of naked Christian paupers running around. The people in the first century understood this as meaning that even though the law protects you, it may occasionally be necessary to give up some of your possessions to a poor person. But this is a voluntary giving up on your part.

     What about Matthew 5:41 that says if anyone forces you to go one mile with him, go 2 miles. The Roman military could force you to carry their provisions for them for up to one mile. The Jews looked upon this as degrading. The point Jesus is making is to be willing to be exploited for the sake of the gospel. Go above and beyond what they are demanding of you even when it entails an unjust burden on you. But again, this is voluntary on your part.

     In Matthew 5:42 when Jesus calls us to “give to the one who begs and not to refuse the one who would borrow from us.” This doesn’t mean we’re to give money to anyone for anything. In 2^nd Thessalonians 3:10-12, Paul says “if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” It also says in Proverbs 11:15  17:18 & 22:26 not to give to lazy people who won’t work when they’re perfectly capable to. So again, discretion & good judgement is advised.

     The last of these controversial verses Is in Matthew 5:43-48 where Jesus tells us to love your enemies. God did this with us in Romans 5:8 that says “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We are told to love our enemies because God loves them (John 3:16) and we should to. This is why, for the most part, America has treated our prisoners-of-war humanely. Yes, they’re our enemy and yes, we will fight against them in a government sanctioned war, but no we will not mis-treat them as prisoners. And we will remember that they are people made in God’s image.

     To sum all this up, these commands are illustrative of what love often does rather than what love always does or is commanded to do. Remember, you shouldn’t take a verse out of its immediate context or how it fits in with the rest of scripture.

For His Kingdom,
Dave Maynard
https://BSSSB-LLC.com

We’ve all sinned, but what do you do when you’re caught in the act of sin? How do you react? How do you expect others to react? In today’s story of The Adulteress, we meet a woman who waited when she could have escaped.

Backstory

We meet The Adulteress in John chapter 8, but in order for us to fully appreciate her story, we need to understand the time period in which it takes place. 

Tension was building up. Jesus was at the Feast of Tabernacles saying things people didn’t understand. None of it made sense. Many were rejecting Him. The rulers were seeking an opportunity to bring Him in for questioning, but they didn’t have just cause. It was a time of confusion and chaos. No one knew what to think. Frustrated, they waited for the opportunity to arise to get rid of Jesus so they could go back to their status quo. John chapter 7 closes with, “everyone went to his own house.”

Then chapter 8 opens with, “But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.” 

Her Story

Jesus spent the night in prayer, then early in the morning He went back to the temple. People gathered about Him, so He sat down and taught them. While He was teaching, the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in the act of adultery. They led her front and center of the crowd and confronted Jesus.

“Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”

Jesus said nothing. Instead, He stooped down and wrote on the ground, acting as if He hadn’t heard them.

They persisted, asking Him what should be done with her.

He stood up and addressed them. 

“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

Then he bent back down and wrote on the ground again. While He wrote, they all left, starting with the oldest. When He stood back up, the accusers were gone. Only the woman remained.

“Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

As she exited the scene, Jesus turned to those who He had been teaching before the commotion and said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

The Rest of the Story

The religious leaders did not like Jesus... 

Click to Continue Reading and Listen to All God's Women Podcast Episode

This quote often attributed to Abraham Lincoln is actually a word from Jesus:

"And if a kingdom be divided against itself,
that kingdom cannot stand. 

And if a house be divided against itself,
that house cannot stand,"
Mark3:24-25, King James Version (KJV.)

The word "Fear Not" appears 365 times in the Bible. This means that every day in a year, you can take one pill of "Fear Not" knowing and trusting that God is with you always because it's His promise to you and He is a good Father. These eight (8) ways will help you to live a fearless life.

You can be fearless and brave when you put your hope and trust in God!

Fear and anxiety can last for a short time and then pass, but they can also last much longer and you can get stuck with them.  In some cases they can take over your life, affecting your ability to eat, sleep, concentrate, travel, enjoy life, or even leave the house or go to work or school.  Fear is a weapon from the devil to keep you from progressing in life to achieve your purpose. 

The Bible says in Isaiah 43:1 - But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by by your name; You are Mine!

These are the eight (8) ways you can live a fearless life:

1. Renew Your Mind

• Put off concerning your former conduct (repent) and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, walking in the new life Christ has given you. (Ephesians 4:17-24) (Change your mind and God will change your heart).

• You must daily choose to live God’s way, (Put on the new man, Romans 12:2).

• Spiritually disciplined: participating in your spiritual growth by getting involved in the things of God, e.g. spending time with through the studying of the bible, praying and going to church.

• Accept who you are in Christ and believe in what God has said concerning your life.

• Focus on things that will add up to your life, not take from it.

2. The most important reason to make the right decision at the right time

In the book of Ruth, we read the story of how Elimelech decided to move his family from Bethlehem (house of bread) when there was famine to Moab.  He and both of his two sons died. Ruth, his second daughter-in-law decided to follow her mother-in-law to a strange land and make Naomi’s God her God. 

Her right decision brought her into the lineage of Christ and brought redemption for us all.  When you start to walk in God’s way, He will direct you.  If you sit back, however sorting through the options until everything makes sense, you will never discover God’s will. Proverbs 3:5-6

3. Why living without a purpose doesn't work and what to do about it

• You allow yourself to be controlled by circumstances.

• You are easily persuaded and controlled by others.

• You accept and do whatever comes to your mind and move that direction.

•  You allow people to control your life.  And live according to the way other people think you should live.

• Because you do not have any goal for your life, you cannot achieve anything in life and you life a defeated life.

What to do

• Go to the source of your life (God).

• Have a personal relationship with Him.

           (Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all      things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created, Rev. 4:11).

• Be connected to God. (Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me, John 15:4).

4. The number three (3) reasons you must act now

• It relieves of stress.
• It relieves you from the uncertainties of tomorrow.
• You are able to accomplish your purpose in life.

5. The biggest mistake of negative words and how to avoid it

Words are powerful, they create and manifest in a forms of a blessing or a curse.  So if it’s negative, it counteract the blessings of God for your life.

Six steps to live a productive life by your words

• Take the promises in God’s word and confess it over your life every day.
• When someone says something negative about you, immediately refuse those words.
• No matter how your children provoke you, never curse them with your words.
• Pray against any foundational words spoken over you by your parents, grandparents, class teacher, family member or other people.
• Let your words be seasoned with blessings.
• Every morning make positive declaration over your life.

6. The easiest way to guard your mind

• Putting God first in your day-to-day life and making Him the priority of everything in your life.

• Studying the word of God. Spending quality time with Him everyday.

• Not living according to the dictate of this world, by comprising with things of this world

7. Three simple strategies to grow in your thinking

•   Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength, this is the first commandment (Mark 12:30).

• Be serviceable (love your neighbor as yourself)

• Be teachable, fearless and brave

8. The method I used to stay positive

• Putting God first in all that I do.
• Having a personal relationship with Him, living daily in His presence
• Seeing God as the source of my life and depending on Him for the answers to every question in my life.
• Accepting who I am in Him and who He is in me.
• Loving God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.
• Talking to Him first in every situation.

You can all live a fearless and brave life when you acknowledge that God is with you and He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you.

Let your conduct be without covetousnesss; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Get two chapters of my New Journal Fearless and Brave for FREE! Visit https://bemyneenterprise.com for souvenirs on Fearless and Brave Journal and also precious gifts for your loved ones.

This journal, Fearless and Brave helps you to reflect of your life, the pain of your past or now which is keeping you from progressing in life. There are questions and activities that will help you to think through your life.

It is a good resource for any group or groups who wants know how to live a fearless life. For the next 60 days, I'm offering a free SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT to any group who will invite me on this topic. I will show you the strategies to live a fearless life.

Life has meaning only when God is the context for it all!

It had been a lonnggg Sunday in October of ’87. Our boys of 7,8 & 9 had provided us with many irritations & frustrations. My wife and I collapsed on our living room couch, too tired to make dinner or go out for it.

     At this point, our boys announced that they were going to make us dinner. The initial look of horror on our faces prompted them to reassure us that they really wanted to bless us this way. Our oldest son, Bryan, came over to us with a dish towel over his forearm, like a hi-class waiter. He asked us what we would like for dinner. Patti & I looked at each other, then back at him and said,” What do you have?” His eyes got really big and he rushed into the kitchen to consult with his brothers. We heard them frantically talking….buzz, buzz, buzz.  He came back and said, “Chocolate covered peanuts, apple sauce, Timmy’s salad (our 7 year old), hot dogs, ham sandwich and turkey. We ordered it all.

     Our middle son, Chris, came out with the same towel wrapped over his forearm and asked us what we wanted to drink. We looked at each other, then back at Chris and said, “What do you have?”. His eyes got really big and he rushed into the kitchen to consult with his brothers….buzz, buzz, buzz. He came back out and said, “Milk, Kool-Aid and wa-ter”, in his best French accent. We went with the water for obvious reasons.

     Our youngest son, Timmy, brought out the wa-ter in 2 wine glasses on a silver platter that he single-handedly came out swinging, dipping and dancing with (and nearly causing us to have heart attacks).   Miraculously, the wa-ter made it to us without being spilled. Then they all brought us dinner on the same silver platter, without all the swinging, dipping and dancing. During dinner, Chris turned the lights down low while Bryan softly played the piano.

     After dinner, Chris announced that dessert would be ice cream or something like that. We pointed out that we didn’t have ice cream or something like that. His eyes got really big. He rushed back into the kitchen to consult with his brothers….buzz, buzz, buzz. All 3 boys came back out and announced that dessert would be hot dogs and turkey.

     After dessert, we read to you boys and put you to bed. As Mom and I came back downstairs, we looked at each other, thinking “Dare we go into the kitchen?” We opened the kitchen door and saw….the love that our boys had shown us. We decided to clean it up the next morning. We had a wonderful sleep that night.

     I guess that I shouldn’t be surprised. If God can make life-giving water come out of a rock (Numbers 2:2-11), He can make blessings come out of irritations and frustrations.

For His Kingdom,
Dave Maynard
http://BSSSB-LLC.com

What does it mean to be a God fearing man?

There is only one word difference between aluminum casting and aluminum die-casting. Many people mix the two together. In fact, these two kinds of die-casting are different. In order to better distinguish between aluminum die-casting and aluminum die-casting, we will elaborate on the performance characteristics, application scope and manufacturing advantages. Explain the difference between the two. When customers buy die-cast products, they can also choose suitable die-cast products according to their own needs.

　　 Aluminum die-casting.

　　 The main raw material is aluminum. After the aluminum is heated to a liquid, it is injected into the die of the die-casting machine, and then formed by die-casting, which is the basic process of aluminum die-casting. Aluminum has good fluidity and plasticity, and is widely used in the die-casting industry. The parts made of aluminum are beautiful in appearance, the price of aluminum is not high, and the production cost is greatly reduced, which creates more wealth for the enterprise.

　　 Aluminum alloy die-casting.

The main production materials are alloy and aluminum. The aluminum die-casting produced has good gloss. The aluminum die-casting factory needs to be grinded after the die-casting. The aluminum die-casting adds nitric acid during the grinding to inhibit corrosion and improve the brightness of the grinding. The processed aluminum die-casting Aluminum alloy die casting is generally used in electronics, motors and other industries, with better performance and greater toughness, and is an important part of mechanical parts.

2021 Marketplace Special Enrollment Period Report

Last week, it was announced that 940,000 Americans have signed up for health insurance through HealthCare.gov Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Until Aug. 15, 2021, consumers who want to enroll in coverage, compare plan offerings, or see if they qualify for more affordable premiums can visit HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov or call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596, which provides assistance in over 150 languages.

COVID-19 Related News

Vaccines.gov or Vacunas.gov

Community members can now use Vaccines.gov to find a vaccine location near them and then call or visit their website to make an appointment.

Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19

COVID-19 tests are available at no cost nationwide at health centers and select pharmacies. COVID-19 testing is free to anyone in the U.S., including the uninsured. Find a testing location here.

Join the COVID-19 Community Corps

Community Corps members benefit from a steady stream of timely news, resources, and information—including briefing calls with subject matter experts on strengthening vaccine confidence.  Sign up here.

CDC Updated Guidance

·       Updated FAQ Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination

·       COVID-19 Easy to Read Materials in Spanish

·       Support for Teens and Young Adults: The CDC updated their information and resources for teens and young adults. The CDC also added information on how to work through stress, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse during this challenging time.

·       Guidance for Operating Child Care Programs During COVID-19

·       COVID-19 Data Tracker Weekly Review: Go here for CDC’s updated numbers on reported cases, variants, testing, vaccinations, hospitalizations, and deaths. The CDC also included travel information--as many countries and states are now loosening restrictions for visitors—and makes recommendations on travel.

Partner Resources and Toolkits*

Highlighted here are a few of the helpful resources that have come our way and we want to share with you.

·       Clinton Foundation’s Toolkit for Faith and Community Leaders.

·       Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and Interfaith Youth Core’s (IFYC) Religious Diversity and Vaccine Survey and PRRI-IFYC COVID Vaccine Religion Report.

·       The Get Vaccinated! Black Faith Community Toolkit, created by the Skinner Leadership Institute in collaboration with the National African American Clergy Network. (Includes a guide for houses of worship who want to host an immunization site.)

·       How Can Faith Leaders Help End the COVID-19 Pandemic? Support the COVID-19 Vaccination Effort created by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) and includes resources for supporting vaccine access in houses of worship.

·       COVID-19 Vaccines: Equity-Centered Approaches

Thurs., May 13, 1:00 p.m. ET. Register. This webinar, hosted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, will explore current and historical efforts to vaccinate communities of color and indigenous communities to evaluate lessons learned and their applicability to COVID-19 currently.

New COVID-19 Funding Announcements

HHS Announces Nearly $1 Billion for Rural COVID-19 Response

This funding is intended to increase the number of vaccines sent to rural health clinics and other providers serving rural communities to expand testing and other COVID-19 prevention services, ensure access to healthcare practices in rural areas, and work to increase vaccine confidence and uptake.

HHS Announces $250 Million for a Community-Based Workforce to Increase Vaccinations in Underserved Communities

Funds will be awarded to develop and support a community-based workforce who will serve as trusted voices sharing information about vaccines, work to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence, and address any barriers to vaccination for individuals living in vulnerable and medically underserved communities.

·       The first of two the funding opportunities was released last week and will award 10 recipients to engage with multiple organizations regionally and locally, including with community-based organizations, health centers, minority-serving institutions, and other health and social service entities. Closing date: May 18, 2021 (11:59 p.m. ET). Applicants should contact CBOVaccineOutreach@hrsa.gov with any questions.

·       The second funding opportunity will be released in the near future and will focus on smaller community-based organizations.

Highlighted Grants and Funding Opportunities

Note: A primary reason funding opportunities are highlighted each week is to let you know of potential investments in your community. To participate in these funds, you may need to actively engage with local community partners, health care systems, and/or public health entities and contribute to your community’s collective efforts. Grants are listed in order of due date, note *new listings.

*Forecasted: Funding Allocation for Navigators

In April, CMS announced plans to make $80 million available in grants to Navigators in the federally-facilitated Marketplaces for the 2022 plan year. Details about the Navigator grant funding, including eligibility requirements and required Navigator duties, are available through the 2021 Navigator Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Forecast(CFDA # 93.332).

Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services - Statewide Research

Funding aimed at maximizing the independence, well-being, and health of older adults and allow them to live at home for as long as possible. This opportunity seeks to verify the effectiveness of Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) innovative policies created during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Closing date: May 24, 2021.

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program Grants
Grants to improve telemedicine and distance learning services in rural areas through the use of telemedicine, computer networks, and related advanced technologies. Closing date: June 4, 2021.

American Rescue Plan – Health Center Construction and Capital Improvements

Funding opportunity is to support construction, expansion, alteration, renovation, and other capital improvements to modify, enhance, and expand health care infrastructure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Closing date: June 24, 2021.

FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program

The application period for $110 million in Emergency Food and Shelter Program supplemental funding has opened. This funding is available to organizations that provided, or will provide, services to families and individuals crossing the southern border into the United States.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

Families who lost loved ones to COVID-19, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020. Read their Funeral Assistance FAQ for more information.

Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities

Grants for training and deployment of community health workers to build and strengthen community resilience to fight COVID-19 in geographic areas and populations that experience health disparities. Closing date: May 24, 2021.

Mine Health and Safety Grants

Grants to prevent fatalities, disease, and injury from mining and secure safe and healthy working conditions for miners through laws, regulations, safety improvements, education, and training. Closing date: May 28, 2021.

Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants

Grants for education and training programs to help identify, avoid, and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around mines. Special emphasis is given to programs and materials that target workers at smaller mines, including training miners and employers about new MSHA standards, high-risk activities, or hazards identified by MSHA. Closing date: May 28, 2021.

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program Grants

Program to help rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. For example, this program can link teachers and medical service providers in one area to students and patients in another. Closing date: June 4, 2021.

*Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-Based Program
Grants to develop, implement, and/or expand comprehensive programs in response to illicit opioids, stimulants, or other substances of abuse. The program provides resources to support state, local, tribal, and territorial efforts to reduce violent crime and drug abuse and enhance public safety while supporting victims. Closing date: Jun 21, 2021.

Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC)

Grants for projects in the Appalachian region and Lower Mississippi Delta region that will provide career training and support services to eligible individuals in counties and parishes and/or areas currently underserved by other resources. Closing date: July 21, 2021.

RWJF/DOT Pioneering Ideas Brief Proposals

Grants for innovative projects that are working to build a culture of health, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need and all families have the opportunity to make healthier choices. Closing date: Ongoing.

Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS Competitive Grant: Housing as an Intervention to Fight AIDS
Funding to create and implement new projects that align with initiatives aimed at ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic using housing as an intervention in ending the epidemic. Closing date: July 6, 2021.

*FY 2021 Second Chance Act: Adult Reentry Education, Employment, Treatment and Recovery Program

This program provides funding under the Second Chance Act to develop a strategic plan for integrating correctional and employment programming/systems and/or establishing, expanding, and improving treatment for people with substance use disorders during incarceration and to help facilitate the successful reintegration of offenders returning to communities after a prison or jail sentence.Closing date: July 6, 2021

Project Talk Initiative Host Site Applications
Partnerships with community-based organization host sites to evaluate the impact of several approaches to promote advance care planning in underserved populations, including those from ethnic and racial minority backgrounds, rural communities, and low-income areas.  Closing date: Ongoing.

Rural Business Development Grants

Supports targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1,000,000 in gross revenues. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

Finally, on Tues., May 11, 11:00 a.m. ET, FEMA will be hosting the webinar, Get Ready for Hurricane Season, so community members in hurricane-prone areas can take preparedness measures in advance of the storms!(Register here)