Braden Blosser

🚨Best rebuttal with the truth I have heard against reparations.

No! HE IS FUGLY. "FAT AND UGLY"

Indeed it would!

T.G.I.F. - Today God is First E.D.G.S.B.F. - Every Day God Should Be First Seeing What Others Cannot See "And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 2 Kings 6:17 Several years ago, a movie was made called Field of Dreams. The story is about a man who had a vision to build a baseball field in the middle of a cornfield on his rural farm. He did not know why; he just knew he was to do it. To the chagrin of his neighbors, he built the baseball diamond in the farm community. One night some players showed up. The man realized these were no ordinary players, but were actually the great players from the past. When the skeptical neighbors came to view this phenomenon, they were unable to see what the farm owner could see. This made it even worse for him. Now he was really a lunatic in their eyes. This fictitious story has a spiritual application for us. First, if God tells us to "build a ball field," we should do it. It is not for us to determine the reason we are instructed to do it. Once we are obedient, God will allow us to see what others cannot see. It is the rite of passage for those who are willing to risk all for God's purposes. God increases the spiritual senses to levels we never knew before. Those around us will observe this. Do you want to see what others cannot see? If so, it will require a level of obedience that will go beyond human reason. It may require risk and ridicule from others. But you will see what others cannot see.

Tabletalk Devotions with R.C. Sproul Duration: 365 days Five Foolish Virgins Matthew 25:1–13 “When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps” (vv. 3–4). Dr. John MacArthur rightly points out that the story of the faithful and wise servant in Matthew 24:45–51 tells us to be ready in case Jesus comes sooner than we have anticipated (The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 1,174). The faithless servant boldly sins, believing he can put off changing his ways because he thinks his master will be long in coming (Matt. 24:48–51). A wise servant, however, does not delay his duties since he does not know when his master will return, and he refuses to be caught unawares. He does not put off loving service to his master because today might be his last chance to do what is right. On the other hand, Dr. MacArthur says the parable in Matthew 25:1–13 exhorts us to be ready if Christ delays longer than we expect (p. 1,174). The story is based on a Near Eastern wedding, a scenario familiar to His original audience. After nuptials at the bride’s home, a welcoming party escorts the newly-married couple to the bridegroom’s house for the lengthy reception. The attendants guide these evening processions with their “lamps” (Matt. 25:3–4), which are likely torches made of olive oil-doused cloths mounted on sticks. Wise members of the bridal party carry extra oil in case their torches need to be relit. In Jesus’ parable, the bridegroom for whom the ten virgins are waiting is the Savior Himself (v. 1). Jesus is here implicitly claiming to be God incarnate; the Old Testament often pictures the Creator as a groom and His people as His bride (Isa. 54:4–8; Hos. 2:14–20). The bridegroom’s arrival is clearly taking longer than expected, for all ten ladies fall asleep (Matt. 25:2–5). This reveals that although we cannot know the exact time of His return, the fact that Jesus has tarried 2,000 years and counting is not unexpected. The foolish virgins are unprepared for the bridegroom (vv. 8–13). They did not count the cost of being in the processional and did not ready themselves for its delay. Like many others, the foolish girls have not understood the price of discipleship; sacrifice and forethought are required to stand in the day of trial and to be assured that one’s faith is real (Eph. 6:10–20; 2 Tim. 3:16–17; 1 John 5:13). Only the spiritually prepared — the wise virgins — will enter the kingdom. Coram deo: Living before the face of God We cannot trust in the spiritual readiness of others. Being ready to enter the kingdom at our Lord’s return or, should He tarry, to remain faithful when our rescue seems long in coming is something that we are responsible for as individuals. We must see that our lamps are being fed — that we are continually growing in the love of God and service to others. Otherwise our oil will run out and we will be revealed as foolish and faithless.

Case For Christ Bible Duration: 365 days Paul and Old Testament prophecy Romans 15:1–13 In Romans 15:12, Paul refers to Isaiah 11:10 to reinforce his claim that Jesus is the Messiah. Isaiah’s prophecy includes three major characteristics of the Messiah: his family line, his position of power over all the nations and the hope he would bring to the Gentiles. First, the prophecy predicts that the Messiah would be a descendant of David’s father, Jesse. Jesus was indeed born into the royal line of David, the son of Jesse (see Matthew 1:1–16). This fulfilled the covenant God made with David (see 2 Samuel 7:5–16) as well as the promise God made to Abraham (see Genesis 12:2–3). Second, the prophecy states that the “Root of Jesse” would rule over all nations. Although Jesus rejected earthly positions of authority while on Earth, he now reigns over a spiritual kingdom (see John 18:36) and will one day reign over all, for “the kingdom of the world [will] become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah” (Revelation 11:15; see also Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:9–11). Third, the prophecy predicts that the Gentiles would hope in him. Jesus fulfilled this final part of the prophecy by welcoming Gentiles into his kingdom. Paul points out that “Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreoever, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy” (Romans 15:8–9). Paul then quotes several Old Testament passages to illustrate this truth. Paul’s calling to proclaim Jesus to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:15) confirms that Jesus offers hope not only to the Jews but also to the entire world. Through Jesus’ royal bloodline, his eternal reign and his inclusive kingdom, he fulfills each of the three prophecies highlighted in Isaiah 11:10.

Simply Trust and Obey by: MaxLucado Jesus told the blind man, “Go and wash in the pool of Siloam,” which is translated, “sent.”  Access to the pool of Siloam involved the descent of three sets of stone hewn steps, five steps each, no casual stroll for anyone, much less a blind man. But he did it, and he leaned over the edge of the pool and began to wash his eyes. And from one moment to the next, he could see. The question is often asked, what does a person need to know to become a follower of Christ?  This story provides an answer. The man knew nothing of the virgin birth or the beatitudes. He received sight, not because he deserved it, earned it or found it. He received sight because he trusted and obeyed the one who was sent to open eyes that are blind. Remember friends, you are never alone.