Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 440

The Native: He Keeps His Promises

Byzantine mosaic at the Chora Church, Constantinople

Luke 2:2

” 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)”

Can I ask you a question, contextually why does it matter who was governor of Syria? I ask this, not out of disrespect, but out of joy. If you say to give the setting a date, I would argue that Augustus’ decree in verse one could accomplish that. No, the reason for this, is intended, inspired, and inviting.

He recognized his own sins, his own mistakes, and he had received mercy. Tweet This

Some argue about the date of Cyrenius rule as Governor of Syria.  Some scholars suggest that when should be translated before.  Others indicate that Cyrenius’ first responsibility in the region was the taxing, and that he would rise to governor.

No matter which opinion you are of, doesn’t lessen the importance of this verse.  Frankly, the important meaning of it is not who was governor of Syria, or when he was the governor.  The important part of this was that it reads governor and not king.

Isaiah 7: 1-2,13-16

1 And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, [that] Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel,

went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

2 And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart

was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.

13

And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; [Is it] a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.

16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

To understand what I mean by this, we must go back many years.  To another king, one attacked and surrounded by a confederacy of kings. He was scared, he was not where he should be with The Lord, and he knew that he deserved to die.  Then the Prophet came to see him.

Isaiah could have brought news of judgement to the young king.  He could have told him that God was going to allow his destruction, he didn’t.  Isaiah one chapter before, had laid on his face before God.  He recognized his own sins, his own mistakes, and he had received mercy.

Uzziah was Ahaz’ grandfather, so these chapters were not chronologically organized, they were divinely placed.  One would serve as a backdrop against another, you see Uzziah wasn’t perfect either.  However, God sent Isaiah with a message of mercy.  This was the same Prophet that The Lord spoke through saying, “Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them white as snow.”

So Ahaz, fearful of destruction, was given a sign.  He would not die by the hand of these kings, instead, those kings would be defeated.  This was to take place before Immanuel would be born.  Prior to the coming of The Merciful King, the merciless ones would be dust and ashes.

What is it that is bombarding your life today?  Who, or what addiction reigns over you?  Sin whispers that you’ve failed before, why try, you’ll just fail again.  I submit to you, that is a lie.  Your past mistakes do not dictate your future.  Christ has come to make all things new.  He dethroned and discarded a nation that threatened a very flawed king.

He can dethrone everything in your life that binds you, no matter your mistakes.  His promise to Ahaz holds true to you and I today.  He has come to give you life, and life more abundantly.  If you are a believer, and your sins are behind you, do not spend your life regretting past mistakes.  He has forgiven them, you must forgive yourself.

That’s why it’s called a New Testament, a new beginning. Tweet This

If you desire a new life, don’t worry about all the things in your life that are wrong.  First, come to Him, and let Him dethrone them.  He knows how to overcome everything that you are facing.  It all starts with a conversation with Jesus, it doesn’t end there, but that is your beginning.

Isaiah chapter seven goes on to say that Immanuel knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.  He knows how to separate you from your issues, even when you can’t yourself.  I’ve seen the drug addict freed from his addictions.  I’ve seen so many souls made new at the feet of The Master.  That’s why it’s called a New Testament, a new beginning. This is the promise of freedom, and I can promise you from personal experience, He Keeps His Promises!

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Veteran’s Day: Raymond Weeks

Vet·er·an (noun) noun: veteran; plural noun: veterans, a person who has had long experience in a particular field., a person who has served in the military.

His name was Raymond Weeks, and he’s called the father of Veteran’s Day. You may know that it was originally called Armistice Day, and created to honor those who had fought in World War I. In 1945, a soldier returning home to Birmingham Alabama wanted to honor all veterans.

In 1946, he stood before Army Chief Of Staff, General Dwight Eisenhower, to deliver his petition. 1947, Weeks orchestrated the first Veterans Day celebration. General Eisenhower backed him completely, sending General Omar Bradley to be the keynote speaker.

In 1954, the day was officially recognized by Congress as Veterans Day for all soldiers. Weeks couldn’t have known that this act of patriotism would return home to his doorstep, but it did. On November 11, 1982, President Ronald Reagan awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to Raymond Weeks.

He served his country, both in and out of uniform. The way he conducted himself inspired us to honor all those who have ever worn a uniform. Today, remember, not only all those who served, but those who were inspired by them to serve on the homefront.

The act of service, of any kind, is a noble one. Giving yourself to others selflessly isn’t only the American way, it’s the way of The Master. Christ, the greatest soldier of all, the General and Chief of Heaven’s armies, washed the feet of His Disciples. Today we honor all warriors who have sacrificed, including The One who gave the greatest sacrifice of all!

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iPainting: Golden Flight Through The Clouds

We hope you enjoy this minimalist iPainting, “Golden Flight Through The Clouds”, in our Sunday Afternoon Art Post.

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The Sea Horse: High Society

High Society

Reilly Coogan was a felon, that was how he made his living.  His first job was actually getting into prison.  His nickname was Jailbird, although he wasn’t your typical career parolee.  He had been to college, graduated with a Master’s Degree by twenty one, and had two doctorates by thirty.  He had been put through college by his brother Oscar before his death, with the intention of succeeding him one day.

That day came sooner than later when someone blew up Oscar’s home.  Officially it had been ruled a gas fire, but the police knew that it had been covered up.  Reilly was locked away on a trumped up charge, one that his brother had arranged.  Reilly was supposed to oversee Oscar’s operations within the prison.

This would isolate him from any blame, and insure that things were run well.  After Reilly had eliminated his brother’s hit man, and taken over the empire, he made a decision.  He was content to stay in prison, albeit, a low security, high amenities one. When anyone tried to touch

him, he would respond, “How can I have done this?  I’m incarcerated on tax charges.”

Reilly was smart, smug, and comfortable.  This makes for a dangerous combination when you’re at the top of a shaky hill.  He was so arrogant that he had orchestrated a transfer to his home turf Oceania, as it was called now, had been home.  Now it was a big city, with big players.  As long as he stayed in prison, he was safe. That was the problem.

His lawyer arrived on a Tuesday afternoon.  “Hello Lou, how’s the day going?”  “Not good, I’m afraid.  Someone has switched tactics on you Reilly.  They’ve pushed through a pardon for you.  You leave prison tomorrow a free man.”  Those words stopped the very smart, very scared crook in his tracks.

It took him all afternoon to regain his composure, and then he formed a plan.  His alibi had always been his location.  “How could a known felon pull off something like this?”  The police would be watching him day and night, unless . . . unless someone else was running the empire. He would need a stooge, but a believable one.

Who was strong enough to topple him, but smart enough to become partners?  How could he control them?  No one fit the bill, until he came up with a very crazy idea.  “I’ll just have to stay alive long enough to pull it off.  Or do I?” It was then that he decided that Reilly Coogan wouldn’t make it out of prison alive.

The jailbird would fly the coup, but not the way someone had intended.  They wouldn’t pull his strings, even to free him.  He would have a corpse brought in by Lancaster, set a fire, and escape through his “private elevator” when he wanted a night on the town. Reilly Coogan would cease to exist.

Oceania was apparently inviting members of comic conventions to attack his organization now.  This Sea Horse was causing trouble for John Cater.  He could use that, but what would he call himself.  Gadgets weren’t the problem, those could be made.

He needed something that didn’t sound threatening, something that people would laugh at, not fear.  If the citizens feared him, they’d pressure the police to stop him. If they laughed, then no one would bat an eye while he locked down the city, and half the east coast for that matter.

It was then that he remembered a statement his Grandfather used to make.  Roger Crane was the boss in the region of what had been Oceania.  He used to say, “It’s time for the upper crust to move out of the way. Tell them that the Cranes are king know, we’re taking High Society by storm.”  Then he would laugh as he did exactly that, and so would his Grandson.

Lancaster filled the boss’ order, grabbed a body, lit the fuse, and the papers told the untimely death of jailbird Reilly Coogan.  The fake funeral wasn’t even over before Cater and all the factions were fighting for control.  It didn’t matter, Reilly had helped Oscar plan his rise to the top, and he would easily do the same under a new name.

The next day another masked character hit Oceania’s smallest bank.  He used an experimental antigravity generator, and high powered laser weapons.  The bank robber was dressed in an outfit that looked like it was a mixture of the nineteen thirties and a science fiction novel.  He smiled at the security cameras and introduced himself by burning his nom de plume into the vault door.  It read, “High Society was here!”

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Iron Starts Tomorrow!

It’s almost here!  Ashley and I can’t wait to attend The Iron Conference @ Point Of Mercy, in Nashville Tennessee.  We look forward to seeing everyone there, and experiencing what God has in store!  It’s going to be great!

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iPainting: Winter At The Capital

In honor of Election Day, we have the iPainting “Winter At The Capital”.

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The Pilot Light

Saturday morning we woke up to a cold house. The thermostat was working, and the furnace was running, but it was cold. The problem was that the pilot light had gone out.

A gas furnace is still fairly new to me, but our friend Greg Starr knows about gas heat. He was not only able to diagnose the problem, but to remedy it. In no time, we were warm again.

The engine was running, so to speak, but the gas wasn’t getting through. Have you ever felt that way? Perhaps this is happening in your job, your life, or even your Ministry. You’re doing all you can, and are committed to continuing full force, but you’re tired. That happens to all of us, it’s happened to me.

When it does, you connect with a friend, or group of friends, that can help you to recharge. This week, our Church, is providing a Conference whose sole purpose is to serve Kingdom workers. The goal of The Iron Conference November 6-7, in Nashville, Tennessee, @ Point Of Mercy is  to serve those who are always serving others.

It’s settings like these that can re-energize weary souls, strengthen soldiers, and give them a place to recharge. The goal of this two day Conference is to bless those who have committed their lives to God’s Service.

We strongly feel that the Speakers for this Conference have been divinely selected to strengthen someone.  To impact the workers  who are giving their all, even if they are weary.

PruittWrites is  so excited about the opportunity to attend this Conference. We truly see this as a refueling opportunity, to reignite both energy and passion, and we hope to see you there!

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iPainting: Morning Fog At Rock Ridge

We hope you enjoy our Sunday afternoon art post, “Morning Fog At Rock Ridge”.

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The Sea Horse: Up In Smoke

John Cater set at his desk, trying to stay calm. He was known for his quiet reactions, in the world that he traveled in, you had to be feared. Cater had learned that if you lose it every time, they call you a hot head. Loose it too few, and they call you a wimp. His response was to react with a quiet, but dramatic flair.

He pulled out his best knife, and thrust it at the the door. He looked at his lieutenants and said, “100,000 to the one that delivers this to the Sea Horse and brings him to me bleeding.” This was his way of telling them that he wasn’t happy and they needed to do something quickly.

John Cater was important in this city, he made things happen. His nickname reflected it. “The Caterer” saw to it that the big boys got what they wanted, whether in politics or in the less smiled upon circles outside the law.

The fact that he loved knives, swords, and blades of any kind helped. He was tall, average looking, brown hair, brown eyes, cheap suit. He could afford more, but that wasn’t something you advertised in his profession. That is, if you wanted to live to enjoy it.

His one luxury was his car, a silver Mercedes with special features. No one touched his car. The only person allowed to drive it was Nelson Cater, his brother. People would sooner break their leg than dent his vehicle, they had learned from experience.

That’s why the next thing that happened was so disturbing to the Caterer. An explosion went off just as he pulled the knife from the door. Sitting among the charred remains, in the middle of the parking spot, was a knife. The knife wasn’t much to see, but it was memorable nonetheless. Cater recognized it, it was the knife that had killed Norm Silva.

Wrapped around the blade was a note that read. “It’s your knife Cater, even though you didn’t kill him. I’m getting closer to proving who did, and I intend to take you to jail with her.” The note was a print out with The Sea Horse’s symbol as a signature.

They drug the incensed man kicking and screaming back into his office. The Caterer had lost his cool. The Sea Horse smiled from his hiding place. Now they would start to make mistakes, and he would take them down one at a time.

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True Friendship

Proverbs 18:24

 24 A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.

Steel and wood don’t fold into each other. At least, wood doesn’t in the way that others metal fold into steel. All metals have to be fashioned to join together with any form of tree. In other words, you carve a handle and fit it to steel. Metals can be forged into a compound, but metal and wood are normally coupled together.

That doesn’t make them any less valuable. In fact a hammer is one of the most useful tools in anyone’s tool chest. The same is true of friendships. Yes, you should be compatible with your friends, similar interests are nice. There are friends though, that are more important than whether or not you like the same basketball team. Go Celtics!

The people in your life that mean the most are more important than the color of their jersey. This is true, even if they disagree with you on the best phone, car, or even crime fighter. Friendships, like metal and wood, build homes. The nail in one beam may hold a picture frame, while another connects the beam to the frame.

Friends can be blood, or not blood, but true friends will always become family! Tweet This

One minute you’re watching a game with a friend, the next, you’re driving to the hospital together. My friends know what makes me smile, and makes me sad. They know what makes me angry, and what makes me laugh. They’ve been with me, both to dry my tears, and to hold me until I was through weeping.

Friends can be blood, or not blood, but true friends will always become family! If you don’t have a friend like this, first, there is hope. It wasn’t always like this for me, but it is now. Second, the Scripture says to have a friend, “you must show yourself friendly.” Find someone that’s hurting, and be their friend.

Do this, without expecting anything in return. Maybe they’ll reciprocate, maybe they won’t, but it’s good practice. God sees that void in your life, and He wants to fill it. First, with a relationship with Him, for “He is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Second, with loved ones who will help you in dark times.

Psalms 68: 6

 6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains:

The Bible says that, “He sitteth the solitary in families, and brings out those bound with chains.” Maybe you’re afraid to have friends, you’re afraid for them to see your scars. We all have them. No matter how hard you try, someone will notice that you’re not perfect. Perfect by the way, in a Biblical sense, means mature. It means you’ve grown, you’re complete, and you’re whole.

 

Isaiah 49:16 16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of [my] hands; thy walls [are] continually before me. Tweet This

 

The Lord Jesus is perfect in both, the sense of being infallible, and in the sense of maturity. He came to Earth because He loved us. He grew as a man to be among us. He died as a man to take our scars, and according to Zechariah, He kept them because He wants to show His Friendship.

Zechariah 13:6

6 And [one] shall say unto him, What [are] these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, [Those] with which I was wounded [in] the house of my friends.

He will keep them, even with a glorified body, even though He need never suffer again. He kept them for His friends, as proof of His Friendship. This is true, not just in the day Zechariah talks about, but every day of our lives. The Lord Jesus opened Zion to both Jew and Gentile, and He told them something in Isaiah 49:16. He said, and I’m paraphrasing, “I won’t forget you, I have carved you in the palms of my hands.”

Isaiah 49:16

16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of [my] hands; thy walls [are] continually before me.

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