Life « Reviews and Views

Lies or Mis-spoken…

Today, it seems that we are in a world where one group hates to be accused of lying and will only admit to misspeaking on a matter. Until recently, I had never heard the word ‘misspoke’ used and it took awhile for me to understand that they were admitting to lying without saying so. The expression of having ‘misspoken’ has hit its highest use in 2020-2021 along with ‘assertive’ but the word ‘assertion’ has hit its lowest use point in the same time period.

Let’s start with defining what a lie is. It is an assertion (a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief) that is believed to be false or known to be false by the speaker, typically used with the purpose of deceiving someone or a group of people.

Lying is not a new development. People have been lying to each other for thousands of years and is common to all races in all languages. You might find yourself agreeing with David when he said that “…all men are liars.” Psalm 116:11. Lies originate with the devil because we are told that “he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44.

The whole world today lies asleep in wickedness, the Bible indicates. To speak the truth is to wake people up. Many people are very comfortable as they are, not wanting to deal or think about uncomfortable truths about their lives, their choices, their job responsibilities, their government’s decisions, their vote, their doctors, or even their church’s doctrines. We find that even the devil is concerned about people being awakened. Where are you?

Know that if you are going to stand for the truth today, then you will be denouncing evil just as our Lord Jesus Christ did. When you do so consider that there may be some antagonism; hostility, opposition, friction in relationships, discord between brothers or sisters, and bad feelings with one’s neighbors; not always, but a possibility.

Where can you find the truth to get started? Jesus insisted that His words are truth. So start with carefully and consistently reading His word in the Bible. Ask God to reveal His truth to you for what you need for the day. Blessings.

June 23, 2021 Posted by Bill Wyler | Culture, Life | Leave a comment

Discipline…Why?

Perhaps, like many of us, you have wondered why do bad things seem to happen to people we know that do good for others. The writer of Hebrews asks a related question, “…for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” found in the 12th chapter of Hebrews, verse 7. The implied answer is NONE. For every true child of God is disciplined at one time or another. Since every child is unique, then God knows exactly how to be most effective with each individual believer. So we now know that all of God’s children do suffer.

Psalms 34:19 states “Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” In John 16:33 Jesus says, “In the world you shall have tribulations; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” And the apostle Paul stated, “…all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” in 2 Timothy 3:12. And there are probably many other references in Scripture if time allowed.

Why then do believers in Jesus Christ suffer at all? I turned to one of my favorite bible scholars, J. Vernon McGee, to see what he had learned over so many years in ministry and his own suffering. He listed seven reasons which are summarized below.

Causes of suffering are because:
(1) of our own stupidity or foolishness and our own sin,
(2) we took a stand for truth and righteousness,
(3) we suffer for sin in our lives which are not dealt with yet,
(4) of our past sins; though forgiven, the fruit of that sin may linger,
(5) of some lofty purpose of God which He does not always reveal to the believer,
(6) of one’s faith in God, and
(7) of discipline. This is training in righteousness; not punishment. Our discipline is an example of God’s love for us.

At times, I wonder if I have been disciplined enough. Discipline is not something I look forward to experiencing. It usually proves to be uncomfortable for me. But I trust that God wants the best for me and He can be trusted on the when, the how, the method, and the length necessary to accomplish in me what He wishes to accomplish.

Thank you for spending your time with me. Hopefully, this was helpful to someone.

Discipline means being placed on God’s Anvil.

March 24, 2021 Posted by Bill Wyler | Bible, Life, Religion | Leave a comment

Something more to fret over…

If you really needed something to take your attention off the political cycle of Washington, D. C., then this little gem might be what you are looking for. I’m referring to 2001 F032.

What is 2001 F032 and why should it be of a concern?

It is an asteroid; approximately 1/2 to 1 mile across or about the size of the Golden Gate Bridge. NASA has called this a “potentially hazardous” APOLLO-class asteroid that will fly by earth by 5.3 lunar distances (where 1 lunar distance is about the same distance as the moon is from the earth) or just over 1.2 million miles. Still close for most asteroids that pass without public notice.

This asteroid is moving fast at 21 miles per sec or 76,980 mph. The date of arrival is March 21, 2021 at 11:03 am ET by some estimates.

Real or false flag, if you must worry, then add this one to your list. Personally, I don’t need more things to track. There is plenty of things to pay attention to including my afternoon nap!

Let me give credit to this information coming from an article written by Douglas Charles in the Brobible, dated 02/02/2021.

Thank you for reading.

February 11, 2021 Posted by Bill Wyler | Life | Something of Interest | Leave a comment

Compassion

This morning in Nashville, TN; I had an opportunity to attend a Creative Mornings monthly meeting. The speaker was Nick Laparra, who shared his conviction on leaving a legacy through compassion for those less fortunate. He challenged the attenders to consider if each of us have too much going on and lives too full of good things that we overlook those around us that need a little help, assistance, and compassion.

It is our own default mechanism to focus on ourselves and our own needs. We keep busy achieving goals, paying the debt for things; some necessary and some just personal; while those around us that have so little or struggle everyday. We become blind to their existence and don’t slow down long enough to consider if we need to help our communities where we can and as we can.

Follow Creative Mornings at @creativemorning and Nick Laparra at @nicklaparra.

September 16, 2017 Posted by Bill Wyler | Culture, Life | Leave a comment

Psalm 119:35

“Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight.” Psalm 119:35 (NIV)

Lead me and give me guidance and use me. Do a work within me both to will and to do whatever You command. May I be given the ability and a willing mind to walk in the course of Your Holy Scriptures. I’m in need of fresh supplies of grace and more spiritual strength, for the battle here is hard and difficult; sometimes victory seems so elusive to me. But I so delight with great pleasure in Your Word; it’s peace to a troubled heart and a charm that draws me back again to Your heart and path.