BBD 09.20.02 Shark Jumping
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
country's flag on the map and leave a message. You can find it on the front
page at http://www.theburningbush.org
If this devotional is a blessing to you, maybe you have a friend or family
member who would like to start receiving it. Subscribing is easy. Send a
blank email to burningbushdevo-subscribe@welovegod.org or to subscribe to
the html version send a blank email to
burningbushhtml-subscribe@welovegod.org
The Burning Bush Devotional
09.20.02
Shark Jumping
"This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to prophecies
previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning
the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom
I delivered to satan that they may learn not to blaspheme." - I Timothy
1:18-20.
In response to the question, "What is jumping the shark?" Jon Hein says on
his website (http://www.jumptheshark.com): It's a moment. A defining moment when
you know that your favorite television program has reached its peak. That
instant that you know from now on...it's all downhill. Some call it the
climax. We call it "Jumping the Shark." From that moment on, the program
will simply never be the same. The term "jump the shark" was coined by my
college roommate for 4 years, Sean J. Connolly, in Ann Arbor, Michigan back
in 1985. The aforementioned expression refers to the telltale sign of the
demise of Happy Days, our favorite example, when Fonzie actually 'jumped the
shark.'" Fonzie on Happy Days was water skiing when he jumped over a shark
and it was all downhill for the TV show after that according to Jon Hein.
Hymenaeus and Alexander were obviously shark jumping with their blasphemy
and shipwrecked their faith. When the first jump occurred we do not know,
but probably long before the shipwreck. A well-known example of Biblical
shark jumping is that of Ananias and Sapphira. At some point they conspired
together that they were going to sell some property give it to the church
and lie about how much of the proceeds of the sale they were giving. Peter
asked Ananias, "Why has satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy
Spirit.(Acts 5:1-10)? Ananias and Sapphira were both struck dead by God
within a short time period of time. King Herod is another example (Acts
12). He began his shark jumping when he decided to persecute the early
church killing James the brother of John with the sword (Acts 12:2). He
continued his shark jumping until he had the people praising him as a god
and then, ".the angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the
glory. And he was eaten by worms and died (Acts 12:23).
Paul charges Timothy encouraging him not to let his faith become shipwrecked
and he mentions some obvious sharks that we ought to avoid and here are some
of them: immodesty, violence, being given to wine, greed, quarrelsome,
covetous, double-tongued, slander, giving heed to deceiving spirits and
doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, profane and old wives'
fables, being rude to those who are older, pride, envy, strife, reviling,
evil suspicions, and the useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds (I
Timothy 2 - 6).
At the same time Paul gives Timothy encouragement and shares the things that
will help him avoid those sharks. Here are some of them: supplications;
prayers; intercessions, and thanksgiving for all men; quiet peaceable lives;
godliness and reverence; being saved; dressing modestly; temperance;
sober-mindedness; good behavior; hospitable; having a pure conscience;
faithfulness; reject profane and old wives' fables, exercise yourself toward
godliness; be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in
spirit, in faith, in purity; treat others with proper respect; pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness; having
godliness with contentment; fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on
eternal life; and guard what has been committed to your trust (I Timothy 2 -
6).
In other words don't jump any sharks!
Copyright © 2002. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited.
If I can help you in any way please contact me at wrather@logixonline.net
Subscribe to the Burning Bush Prayer Group. Send and receive prayer
requests to over 500 members. Send a blank email
to: theburningbush-subscribe@welovegod.org
Subscribe to the Burning Bush Inspirational Group. Send and receive
inspirational material to over 100 members. Send a blank email
to: bbinspire-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe to the Burning Bush Restoration and Recovery Group for those with
addictions or recovering from addictions. Receive devotionals and
inspirational material directed toward those with addictions. Send and
receive prayer requests. Over 200 members. Send a blank email
to: tbbrr-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
I AM INTERESTED IN ANY OPPORTUNITIES TO PREACH, SPEAK OR TO SHARE GOD'S
WORD, WHEREVER, WHENEVER OR WHATEVER THE OPPORTUNITY MAY BE. Contact me at
wrather@logixonline.net