Tuesday, February 25, 2014

The Constitution of the United States (cont.)



Article. VI. - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this
Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under
the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance
thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United
States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be
bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary
notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several
State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and
of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution;
but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public
Trust under the United States.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

40 Days in the Word Week 6



40 Days in the Word - Interpreting a Bible Passage



Message by:
Pastor Terry Carwford
Covenant Church
Shepherdstown, WV

Romans 8:31-38
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

SOME BASIC RULES OF BIBLE INTERPRETATION


  1. Consider the historical context: WHO is being spoken to? WHY?


    Romans 1:1, 11-13
    Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God… 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.


  2. Let the Scripture interpret the Scripture.


  3. Read from the text, not into the text.


    Too often we come to the Bible with our own pre-conceived ideas. If we do that, we’ll eventually fall into the trap of trying to make the Scriptures say what we want them to say instead of drawing out from them what the author—and God—intended. The technical word for this error is eisegesis—reading into the text. What we want to do is the opposite, called exegesis, which means drawing out from the text what the author intended to communicate.


  4. Look for the most obvious meaning.


Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Conclusion:


  • Through Jesus, God has a loving and eternal plan for us.

  • I am not exempt from pain and trouble.

  • The boundless love of Christ gives us ultimate victory.



  • Romans 8:28
    And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

    Pre-planned, called, justified and glorified - Jesus and us.



    For more information, please visit: Covenant Church

    40 Days in the Word Devotions

    Thursday, February 20, 2014

    The Boston Children's Hospital Abomination

    Please Take the time to read through these Stories. They are heart breaking, but we need to do what we can to keep the pressure on and help this family.



    ‘It’s Kidnapping’: Hospital Takes Custody of Teen Because Her Parents Were ‘Too Active in Pursuing’ Her Care

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/11/20/its-kidnapping-hospital-takes-custody-of-teen-because-her-parents-were-too-active-in-pursuing-her-care/

    Hospital Holding Teen Against Parents’ Will Accused of Having a History of Doing it Before

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/11/25/hospital-holding-teen-against-parents-will-accused-of-having-a-history/

    A Broken System Lets the Chronically Ill Slip Through The Medical Maze Cracks

    http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/a-broken-system-lets-the-chronically-ill-slip-through-the-medical-maze-cracks/

    Glenn Beck Explodes Over Latest Developments in Case of Boston Hospital Holding Teen Against Parents’ Will

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/06/glenn-beck-explodes-over-latest-developments-in-case-of-boston-hospital-holding-teen-against-parents-will/

    One of the Best Hospitals in the Country Is Accused of Doing One of the Worst Things Imaginable to Families…Again

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/16/campaign-of-terror-one-of-the-best-hospitals-in-the-country-is-accused-of-doing-one-of-the-worst-things-imaginable-to-families-again/

    Teen Girl Kept in Hospital Against Parents’ Will to Remain in State Custody, Judge Rules

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/21/teen-girl-kept-in-hospital-against-parents-will-to-remain-in-state-custody-judge-rules/

    Report Says Teen Being Held Against Parents’ Will at Boston Hospital to Be Moved to Psych Facility: ‘Justice Maybe Prevailed’

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/01/10/report-says-teen-being-held-against-parents-will-at-boston-hospital-to-be-moved-to-psych-facility-justice-maybe-prevailed/

    The Latest From the Parents of Teen Held by Hospital Against Their Will Doesn’t Look Good: ‘It’s Scary’

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/04/the-latest-from-the-parents-of-teen-held-by-hospital-against-their-will-doesnt-look-good-its-scary/

    Father So Heartbroken About Daughter Held at Hospital Against His Will He Just Defied a Judge’s Order to Talk to Us: ‘I Want to Have All My Guns Blazing’

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/17/ready-jon-father-so-heartbroken-about-daughter-held-at-hospital-against-his-will-he-just-defied-a-judges-order-to-talk-to-us-i-want-to-have-all-my-guns-blazing/

    Beck Begs Listeners to Help Family of 15-Year-Old at the Center of Boston Children’s Controversy Before She ‘Wastes Away and Dies’

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/18/beck-begs-listeners-to-help-family-of-15-year-old-at-the-center-of-boston-childrens-controversy-before-she-wastes-away-and-dies/

    Contempt Charges Filed Against Dad Who Defied Gag Order to Tell Daughter’s Heartbreaking Story

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/19/child-services-files-contempt-charges-against-father-who-broke-gag-order-to-tell-story-of-daughter-kept-in-hospital-against-parents-will-source/

    ‘Wake Up, America!’: Beck Delivers One of the Most Passionate Rants of the Year

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/19/wake-up-america-beck-delivers-one-of-the-most-passionate-rants-of-the-year/

    Thousands Demanding Teen Be Released to Her Parents Sends #FreeJustina Trending on Twitter

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/19/thousands-demanding-teen-be-released-to-her-parents-sends-freejustina-trending-on-twitter/

    Tuesday, February 18, 2014

    The Constitution of the United States (cont.)



    Article. V. - Amendment

    The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose
    Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds
    of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either
    Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified
    by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three
    fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the
    Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One
    thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses
    in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be
    deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

    Monday, February 17, 2014

    40 Days in the Word Week 5



    40 Days in the Word - How to Study a Bible Passage



    Message by:
    Pastor Terry Carwford
    Covenant Church
    Shepherdstown, WV

    The key to Bible Study is asking good questions like…


    1. What does it say?
    2. What does it mean?
    3. What other verses explain it?
    4. What will I do about it?


    Philippians 2:19-30
    But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.

    God wants us to get something out of His Word.


    2 Timothy 3:16
    All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

    Romans 15:4
    For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

    1. Observation: What does it say?


  • Paul intended to send 2 men to the church at Philippi.
  • Paul endorsed them as role models who deserve honor.
  • What does it mean to be like these men? What are they like?


    1. Interpretation: What does it mean? A Godly man is…


  • Caring.
    vs. 20-21 “takes a genuine interest”
  • Cooperative Trustworthy.
    vs. 22 “has proved himself.”
  • Committed.
    vs. 25 “my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier”
  • Courageous.
    vs.27-30 “almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life


    1. Correlation: What other verses explain it?


    Philippians 4:14-18
    Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
    You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.


    1. Application: What will I do about it?



    S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S Questions
    SIN TO CONFESS?
    PROMISE TO CLAIM?
    ATTITUDE TO CHANGE?
    COMMAND TO KEEP?
    EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW?
    PRAYER TO PRAY?
    ERROR TO AVOID?
    TRUTH TO BELIEVE?
    SOMETHING TO THANK GOD FOR?


    For more information, please visit: Covenant Church

    40 Days in the Word Devotions

    Tuesday, February 11, 2014

    The Constitution of the United States (cont.)



    Article. IV. - The States

    Section 1 - Each State to Honor all others

    Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial
    Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the
    Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect
    thereof.

    Section 2 - State citizens, Extradition

    The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in
    the several States.

    A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from
    Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the
    State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction
    of the Crime.

    (No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into
    another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from
    such Service or Labour, But shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such
    Service or Labour may be due.)
    (This clause in parentheses is superseded by the 13th
    Amendment.)


    Section 3 - New States

    New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be
    formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by
    the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the
    Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

    The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations
    respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in
    this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or
    of any particular State.

    Section 4 - Republican government

    The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of
    Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the
    Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against
    domestic Violence.

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