God must want me to know I needn't not worry myself.
I must have faith and trust and believe God at His Word. He has no reason to tell lies.
God is faithful. In Him I can believe. He gave His Word for me.
Some scripture references of God always telling the truth-
Numbers 23:19
1 Samuel 15:29
Titus 1:1-3
Hebrews 6:18
"Fear, you are on notice. You are no longer needed or welcome anywhere near me,
so out the door you go and don't bother coming back. I choose to fear not. I choose to
put my hope and my all in the one who is mighty. My soul and heart and my mind are
firmly planted in God's Word and in His might. Thank you Lord for doing everything
for me. For giving me victory through you. For saving me and giving me hope and a
future in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
We all have our beginnings of development within our Mother's womb. Mankind has had a fascination about what was before we came on the scene. We question that which we can't see. We search for answers. We form conclusions and think we have the answers. Does God exist?
Jesus, the Righteous Judge, will be upon his seat for every unsaved person to face
There have been some interesting arguments on this subject of how the world and the universe came about. Did God create it? Does He exist? Who can answer and who can answer correctly?
God tells us what's important for us to know. And that's all we really need to know. Other than that is purely guess work and imagination to satisfy our 'need-to-know and our egos.
No one can come back from eons ago, and all the scientific data is gathered from man-designed instruments. There are space stations and cameras floating about in outer-space, but they can only record the present. What happened long ago, is out of our reach and I will say we have enough to be concerned about right now in the present. Isn't it more important to be feeding the hungry and helping the hurting and needy people living right now?
I came across some interesting and informative writings on the proof that God exists.
These 6 reasons the author of this article writes can't be argued against if one has the least bit of common sense.
View this video detailing and describing 5 reasons God exists and Jesus was God in the flesh.
The last two minutes sum it up best.
If I ignored and refused to believe any of the above arguments, I'd have to conclude God exists because I'm breathing and living. Some divine force has to be at work allowing me to exist because I have nothing to do with making my lungs work or my brain function, or digest my food, or anything. My internal functions operate automatically. I am designed by a master creator.
My conclusion is we have a sovereign, loving and patient God. He could force us to love him and believe, but He decided to not violate the free will He gave to us. It is our choice to believe or not to believe.
Those with eyes to see and ears to hear, God speaks clearly and lovingly of His presence. Jesus came for us so we can relate to an unseen God.
When you see Jesus, you've seen the essence of God. And He so desires to have a relationship with you. And he loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you so your sins can be forgiven.
The biggest lie you can believe is that God does not exist and that He sent you a way to restore rightful standing with him. That would be just what the enemy of God would have you believe.
Our only way back to good graces with the Heavenly Father in through Jesus, who gave his life so
all who believe upon him will live. And I'm talking about spiritual life. Our flesh will cease, but our spirits will live forever. We were created in God's everlasting, spiritual image. Heaven is for those who have chosen to have faith that Jesus is the Son of God and by his death on the Cross, his blood and death satisfied God as payment for your sins.
Just pray to God and tell Him you know you can't pay the price for your sins against Him. You need a Savior and you trust and believe Jesus came and died for your sins and you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and thank him for giving you life and hope and a new direction. You are pasted from death to life just like that. Jesus did all the work. All you have to do is ask and believe. If you want to thank God, live for Christ. And to live for Christ, read His Holy Word and see what the Holy Spirit has for you. It's a journey that will lead to great things and best of all, the best is yet to come!!!!!
Long ago, the most educated minds thought the Earth was flat and believed if you sailed too far out into the ocean, you'd fall off the edge of the world. It's understandable when looking out over the horizon that it looks like there's nothing else out there. I wonder what these people might have thought of ocean water running off the side of the Earth? On Earth, we look at things from our small perspective.
Well, that theory was all wrong and we know better since we've gained more insight and knowledge about the Earth, and still are.
Today, many educated people think their 'sinful status' has no significance to God..and some don't believe in God, or His Word, or much of anything related to the masterful plan God has to redeem and save every person from a horrible future set for those who reject him. (I ponder why people reject or accept a particular religion. I know a lot has to do with where a person is born, the family they're born into, having been exposed to the gospel or not and their upbringing. This is another topic to write later).
Sometimes it takes seeking and prodding to find the Truth. Sometimes it takes a knock up beside the head. Sometimes it takes a major life event to open one's eyes to the Truth.
With my little mind, I've thought of a few reasons of what a person chooses to have faith in boils down to 'choosing to believe or disbelieve'. And disbelief is due to human perspective of a holy, sovereign, spiritual, unseen deity. Until one can see from a 'spiritual perspective', this does looks flat, like there's nothing out there. So naturally the conclusion is 'disbelief' in all the good things which God promises. And the promises of the God of Abraham are better than any other god. And the Lord God stamps His promises with Himself, cause there is none higher or cross his heart to, nor can He lie. His promise is as good as a promise can be.
God's Holy Word is for us to gobble up and absorb all it's loaded with of characters showing what happens when a person obeys, and what happens when a person disobeys God.
The Earth never was flat, no matter how many people thought it was. And same goes for God's Word. It does not matter what you think, God's Word, all of it, is for you and I to gain knowledge of what delights God and wisdom for living, and to be in His good graces to receive His abounding goodness.
Taking this notion a bit further, God does not need you or I to believe Him. We need to get on board with Him, not visa verse. His Way is 'The Way' regardless what any of us thinks or believes. We are alive in our fleshly bodies only for a brief moment in His vast creation timeline. His ways are far above our mortal ways. (Can a man create a sunset?) There is plenty 'unseen' we have to use eyes of faith to see, and sin against God is nothing to be blind to, for it is something so real to a real God.
In His wisdom, God made us with certain needs. In this posting I want to bring up just two needs we all beacon for, even thought we may not consciously say we need them, but in my most humble opinion, I believe we all do, just like we need air to breathe.
The first is love. Love is intangible, but love bonds us and helps get us through life. Life and love are inseparable in a way, but are the compliment that makes each better. Without love, life is miserable
We want love to last, especially after we share love with someone who reciprocates love back, and the love is pure and true. God loves each of us with an unconditional love. This may not be believed if you don't believe in God, but it's true nonetheless. If he didn't love you, He wouldn't have sent a part of Himself in the flesh to die for payment of your sins. He was the perfect acceptable sacrifice for all of mankind, but more fittingly, just for you so you'd be spared from dying that 'second death'. Right now you receive fresh blessing each day- waking up, breathing, air, food, sunlight, love. Separation from all blessings, is the 'second death' which will be like 'dying, not being able to die so you suffer continually without end or hope of it ever stopping-hence, death. I can only think that spiritual death is something I do not want to experience.
(What could be more wonderful than the creator devising a plan that ensures a future with Him and totally missing the hell and Lake of Fire? Would anyone prefer Hell and the Lake of Fire?)
God's plan of love could not be thwarted by the devil, even though he tried to throw a wrench in God's plan. Lucifer, the fallen angel, also known as 'the devil', has been allowed lots of freedom to deceive people, and many have been ensnared by his masterful cunning, devious deceptiveness. So much so that people believe him and disbelieve God. Satan's that good in making people turn to his counterfeit everything, and away from God's perfect design. He's nearly perfected getting people's focus, hearts and minds off what's really important and rather onto mundane things with no lasting, true value, such as wasting your time and energy and ultimately selling your soul for what the flesh wants and desires. And get this, satan is so good he's even got some thinking he doesn't exist, or he isn't that bad, or an even has some worshiping him in some form or other. He has you thinking you don't need God, you don't need to obey God, you don't need to worship God, and you're fine and happy with stuff and things, so why pursue anything that has to do with godliness? But, satan can't give you love. He does not love you.
But God loves you so much that he sent his Son, to die in your place so your sins could be forgiven so there would be nothing separating you from God so you are not banned from entering heaven and the place Jesus is working at designing for every soul who wants their sins forgiven and the Son of God as their Lord and Savior.
Noah's ark was navigated by God without the need of rudder or sails. The New Testament ark is in Jesus.
Forgiveness is another need. I don't even think Reverend Billy Graham would honestly
claim to have lived his life not making a single mistake. Compassion is a wonderful. But forgiveness is compassion amped up to the tenth degree. Because of love with compassion, forgiveness was made available to each of us through Jesus the Christ. When your sins are forgiven, you are indeed set free from spiritual death, the death that your sins, or disobedience to God, so rightly deserves.
God covered all bases for you so you could be in heaven. All it takes on your part is humbleness, admitting you need a Savior, and believe that Jesus was sent for you and he died for you, and invite Him into your heart and life. And bam, just like that, you're no longer a foe, but an heir to the kingdom of God in heaven instead of on your way to hell and the Lake of Fire.
There are some societies and religions which one must perform or do certain things to have their 'mistakes' dealt with to appease the gods to get back into good standings, like reciting something or doing something physical.
Some societies don't practice of extending of 'forgiveness', 'compassion' or 'love' when a person makes a mistake or 'sins'. If something is done which brings shames upon the family, they're promptly put to death as punishment. Jesus said about the woman who was caught in an adulterous situation, 'let the first one without sin be the first to cast a stone'. And then, he said to the woman, 'go and sin no more.' Now that was Jesus demonstrating grace, mercy, forgiveness and compassion, which is the gift of love. Love. Love. Love. A God who loves you and I. What in the universe is better than that?
Forgiveness is granting someone amnesty, a get-out-of jail pass, a 'free ticket' that completely exonerates one of their wrongs, even when they're not deserving of the forgiveness. Wrongs done against God are called 'sins'. The Ten Commandments are the Old Testaments list of categories sins fall under. These 'wrongs' can't be hidden from the omnipotence of God. Back then, a person had to offer a perfect animal and have the priest offer it to pay for sins. That sufficed for a while until the perfect God-Man offered Himself once and for all. God accepted and all we have to do is acknowledge we need a savior, accept Jesus as our Savior, and invite him into our hearts and as thanks for all he's done, share this good news of our new life and hope with others searching for the same inner peace, redemption and salvation. Reciting 'hell maries' is like wanting vanilla ice cream, but settling looking at a picture of ice cream. Jesus is so much more as High Priest and friend. Go to him like a child and receive love and life. He is The Way. Accepting Jesus into your heart has permanent and lasting advantages. And he is patiently waiting right now to be invited into your life.
Forgiveness of your sins covers all shapes and forms and manner of sin in your life. This is freely given as part of the package wrapped up and included in the love God has for you. In accepting Jesus into your heart and to be your Lord, your sin slate is wiped clean and you're fresh and new and you're an heir to the blessings of God, because you've invited His Son in your heart.
In this world, satan is on the loose, prowling about to destroy any way he can. He deceives and wants you destroyed, but he does this by making you think you do not need God, which will make you a foe of God. Deception is his mode of operation.
Which team are you on? There is only one ultimate winner.
Think from a heavenly perspective. Life in the flesh lasts but so many days, months, and years. In contrast, existence as a spiritual being will be forever.
What'cha gonna do about your sin condition? It's all up to you, with
your educated mind. It's all up to you to make the choice for your
spirit and soul. The choice you make will determine your forever future. Unforgiven sin, is sin which will be to your eternal detriment. Don't let that happen.
Because of the Son, the Earth is revolving and you can't fall off.
Christianity is a relationship with the one, living God, who offers love and forgiveness, totally free just for the asking. It begins with inviting Jesus into your heart and life and growing in faith day-by day with such an indescribable and wonderful God because Jesus opened the way.
God is indescribable and awesome in His splendor and love to us and in His creation which is so vast and wide and without end. (Light travels over 186,000 miles/second). Be amazed at our wondrous Creator. We will not know the end of God's span. He can hold the galaxies in his hand. God calls the stars by name. He has no equal. Watch this video to see the universe beyond any words can describe.
I can go on an on. So until next time,
Peace is so sweet when you're totally at peace with God.
Enjoying the walk down that peaceful, small path, leading closer and closer to my Lord.
I'm calling this posting, 'Unfathomable' because I like the word. I did a word search while ideas were forming in my head on where I wanted to take to writing, and contemplate what is it about this word is interesting and drawing itself to me, or maybe it's me drawn to it.
The sun, the moon, the tide and seasons have order
The following is what I find unfathomable, and actually unthinkable....
How can any intelligent-minded person think a big explosion, termed, 'The Big Bang Theory', is responsible for the creation of the universe? Ha! I say, all of nature, and the seasons, and the tide, and the moon phases, and the precise orbit of the Earth and other planets we know of can stay and remain in order year after year? An explosion is nothing but a combustion and the results of is anything but order.
I say this information is outside the realm of human knowledge and rightly so. It's a God thang!
We can each see an order to how things all around us operate. Gravity and time and life cycles all have order. A combustion does not provide any resultant order, except a predictable explosion which can't produce any life or anything that will make up life to have any order to it. And there has to be something to combine together for a combustion to occur.
The Earth revolves around the Sun remaining in it's precise orbit. If out of orbit we either freeze or burn up.
With the orbit of the planet we call Earth constantly spinning on an axis and orbiting around the Sun, how can a Big Bang coordinate and maintain that?
This is all outside of the realm of the most brilliant scientists in all the world to figure, and rightly so. It's a God thang!
My conclusion- Man needs to stop trying to think we've got intelligence that can compete with the intelligence of God. We are moral beings and we think we can know it all. This is erroneous thinking.
God is in charge, it's His universe, His creation, and some things are just way out of our league.
God allowed Man to have some intelligence so we can help ourselves, but if He hadn't provided
every thing at our disposal to utilize for our livelihood, it wouldn't be here due if we were depending upon a Big Bang providing it. Again, it's a God thang.
I say we should leave what's not meant for us to know alone and spend more time and energy on better things to benefit mankind, like-
being more neighborly and getting along better with each other.
And stop the polluting the ocean.
Being more resourceful and frugal with the Earth's natural resources.
Stop destroying the Rainforest.
Make an all out effort on knowing how to better live with integrity and wisdom.
And not taking for granted all blessings come from God and being intelligent is really not trying to out do or out smart God at all. But wisdom is being in harmony with His Word in living your life.
Unfathomable is a rather interesting word, and I associate this word with thinking how can anyone think God doesn't provides all from the beginning of time.
Until next time, I've still taking that journey on the straight and narrow path headed home.
You may be wondering and thinking, "What's promised to me? What good can I expect from God?"
Let me tell you, you can expect a lot of promises which are all good. And I mean good in terms of lasting worthiness for right now and on into eternity. God's promises are like a loving, caring Father being good and loving to his beloved children.
God keeps his promises- He's good for them ALL, like the rainbow
God tells you point blank, without question just what you get when you trust Him. And if you think it's a small list, be prepared to be surprised.
No other god can promise these things to you. No way. So why would anyone bother with other gods when they can be assured of the good things promised by the heavenly, holy, Father?
So if you want to be the recipient of the mighty-fine promises, which are each and collectively very worthy of being promised to have, take heed....the only thing required of you is a little trust and faith in God's free gift to you. Believe it and you can receive them all.
So, don't be left out. It's a matter of taking a small leap, actually a small step of faith, and go from there. The hard work has already been successfully completed. And when you make your choice toward God, the Holy Spirit will be doing his miraculous work on the inside of you within your heart.
All you have to do is invite Jesus into your heart. Your act of faith on believing Jesus to be the Son of God, who willingly came down from heaven to be born of a virgin female so he could be like us, flesh and bone, live without sin, then fulfill his ultimate goal and purpose to die. His being sacrificed on a cross made him the sacrificial lamb of mankind. He finished it and his death satisfied God. He was raised from the dead and seen by hundreds while he ate and drank with them. He conquered the power of death which sin brought onto mankind. We can be saved from spiritual death. Jesus ascended back up to heaven and is interceding for us to the Father until his return for his children, those who've invited Jesus into their hearts and lives.
Jesus, part of the Godhead, made him qualified as a pure, blemish-less sacrifice to acceptably be received of God as a sacrifice. His blood was unstained by sin. Jesus was human, to be the sacrifice for Mankind. Animals without blemish were given by a family or person to the Levite priests for the temporary atonement for ones sins. Jesus did away with all that.
Your sins and my sins have been paid for by Jesus once and for all.
Believing in the person of Jesus, and the fact that you can't pay the penalty for your sins yourself because you are not perfect, but Jesus is. So, by placing your trust and faith in Jesus and by faith accepting him as your Savior ,and inviting him into your heart, as an act of love for what he's done for you, you are spiritually made an heir to the promises of God. You spirit is no longer dead, but alive. Your redemption is complete and God, the Father sees you as his child and He has some very good things for his children. You are not longer under judgement because your sins have been forgiven, thanks to Jesus. Judgement Day is no longer in your future.
God is a good, loving, caring, wonderful, heavenly Father.
So go ahead. Worship. Inside, outside, quietly, with music, on your knees, with dancing, with palms up or arms up. Just as long as your worship is in spirit and in truth. God bless you.
Until then, my journey on that narrow path keeps growing sweeter to be on.
I caught myself worrying.What I was worrying about is inevitably going to transpire as it's been foretold long ago. So.... there's no reason to worry about what's inevitably going to happen.
Actually, it's good news! Knowing there's no way to change what is meant to happen, now we can
sit back and witness history unfold. It's like knowing what the
crystal ball is going to reveal. It's like being able to look into the
future and know what tomorrow and the next day and the next are leading
up to. Pretty cool to already know what's coming before it gets here.
Now, the days have a sort of different tone to them when I see the
headlines in the news. It's inevitable for recent and not so recent
happenings to transpired and take shape as they have around the world.
Specifically, to the Nation of Israel, things have seemingly taking a
'turn for the worse'. It's incredible that it was foretold that one
generation after Israel became a Nation in 1945, things would begin to
happen. A generation is between 40 to 70 years.
God is teaching the world a lesson through the
Hebrew people. But the world keeps failing to learn the lesson. Are we
dumb or what? Inevitable,
the definition of this word means- it is going to happen and nothing can
prevent it from coming to pass. No amount of worry, or humanly effort, or
pleading with God, nor could all the scientists with access to all the money in the world make one alteration of any sort to what inevitably is going to happen. It's God's plan and nothing can alter His perfect plan.
Events are unfolding as they are supposed to unfold right on schedule.
The leaders of the Nations of the world are all playing their role
in this thing called, 'the inevitable'. How do they know their part to
play, and when to play their character role? That's the beauty of how
God's creative design for how He's designed 'this inevitable' to play
out. This has been in the works from the beginning, way before our
time. It's too monumental for mere mortals to comprehend. This is His
purposed plan for all things to occur as He's designed it from the beginning.
When something is beyond your control, really,
the only thing to do is proceed onward with your life while maintaining and continuing to do what you know is 'right' and 'just'.
Also, to the best of your ability, do what will ensure you'll be on the 'up side' at the conclusion of this inevitable play-out by remaining faithful, diligent, and of service to Our Lord. Never lose heart.
And
how and why might you go about that? Easy, seek God and His Kingdom and his
righteousness. For He will never leave you nor forsake you no matter
what. His love is without limits or bounds and He loves you with a love that
is beyond the stars. He sent His Son, Jesus for this reason. Take a hold
of His Son, and feel the peace and love which is what God made for you
to desire. Un-harden your heart for a minute to let him in. God is
always extending his welcome to you, and is patiently waiting for you to accept
his Love. For once, cast-off that demon wanting you to reject your
Savior. For once, open the Word of God and ask to be shown the Truth and to make your heart receptive to receive the Truth of the Gospel, and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This will be
the most important things you can ever do. It's easy but it's a big
step, and the Holy Spirit will be beside you to hold, protect and love you. Jesus came for and died for You! Then, being a spiritual newborn babe, get under the guidance of a mature Christian to help guide you along in your walk, relationship, and continued learning for wisdom and knowledge in you life as a child of the true and living God. Let His Word be your sustenance and model to live by.
Future happenings will keep presenting themselves and may appear
dark and disheartening even to some believers. But to most, they'll most likely be 'blind and oblivious' to the inevitable changes and happenings around them. But you can be 'in-the-know' and not of that crowd.
Just knowing the Lord
is in control makes experiencing and witnessing changes I see
around me less of a stress and a whole lot easier to take in, but most of
all, to not worry and put my faith and trust in the One who owns the future, as the inevitable plot thickens and gets closer and closer to a crescendo!
It's going to get topsy-turvy
in a lot of ways, but worry not for one second with our Heavenly Father in full
control of every single leaf that falls, every single hair on your head,
every single occurrence which happens in every nook, mountain, plain, town and city on his Earth.
Nothing, not one iota for one second escapes the control of God Almighty!
Video- Israel is at the center of attention in the world right now,
Video- peace treaties and prophesies about Israel
If God be for me, then there is not one thing to worry about. Jesus died, but lives today! Jesus came so we can have life, and abundant life. The inevitable is all good for those who know what's in store and what must occur. The world is the Lord's and all glory, honor and praise rightfully belongs only to him. Inevitably, all shall know Jesus IS Lord.
P.S. Man has no idea how far Almighty extends. We can only imagine that what God can touch, see, know, influence, affect, and control goes and goes and goes, on and on and on without any limits in any direction whatsoever. God is Great! God is Good! God is Sovereign! God is Divine! God is Holy! God is Spirit! God is creator! God is Love! God is Wisdom! God is Almighty! God always was and always will be THE GREAT I AM!
There's no way to surely know how we must appear to God from his point of view. God is Holy Spirit. He has no limits, time means nothing to Him, and He knows all and sees all. He created us. From his stand point, I think we must appear to be mere babes. We have many limitations. Unlike God, we can't know the condition of some one's heart, or the motivation behind some one's actions. But God does. We know a mere smidgen compared to His infinite intelligence. We must appear to possess the intelligence of babes in a nursery to Him. I was thinking about what Jesus said on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Just like a little babe, so inquisitive and full of wonder about everything within sight or grasp, we want to know everything we can get our hands onto. And just like babes, we don't really know about dangers lurking about. We just go about until someone says, "No", but we want to get our hands on what every we can reach and taste it anyway, and give a never mind to that, "No" warning. Might Jesus' statement have meant we are babes and don't have any idea of the impending danger on the road ahead we've chosen to take and we're totally blind to what we're getting ourselves into? I've wondered if we as a people will ever wise up, or are we always going to make decisions without regard or concern to God's Word? Are we ever going to gain wisdom about our decisions and actions and be more Christ-like? It really seems the majority of people go about their lives making choices based only upon the wants of their flesh and desires to possess ever more things they see. I say this because I see more and more behavior openly displayed contrary to God's Word and no doubt it is awfully tempting desiring and pursuing so many things marketed and available to us in modern society.
Because God allows you to do something, does not mean every thing you do is considered to be right. God will not violate or hamper your will. He created us to have a free will. God will not force anything upon anyone. He allows us to make our own choices. How cool is that? But those choices have consequences. For example. God could have dictated it be mandatory for all the Hebrew people led out of Egypt to worship Him only and none other. And anyone worshiping any other God, image, or idol be struck to death right on the spot. What happened was God allowed those who worshiped the golden calf to continue living out their normal lifespans and they continued to be provided food and necessities, but the consequence to their disobedience was God did not allow them to see the Promised Land. All but two (Joshua and Caleb) died in the desert. In other words, only two people remained faithful and obedient to God got to live to enter the Promised Land. So, might this mean God allows you to continue choosing to live a lifestyle contrary to His Word. And because you aren't seeing Him stopping you, you think it's alright to continue doing whatever you choose with disregard to His Word.. However, God has final say in who is allowed into the Promised Land, and that promised land for us is heaven. So, you might think you're in the clear with the consent of man's laws honoring certain lifestyles. But mankind is sinful. God is Holy. God ever so kindly wants you to willingly lead a life pleasing to Him. He actually desires his children to have an enjoyable and joyous life and wants to protect his children from all danger. How cool is that? If you are reading this, this could be considered a gentle hint for you to check your lifestyle choices and the things you've chosen above God in your life. Maybe it time to make some adjustments and changes. The best way to know if you're lifestyle is in line with what He's designed for you, is to read and study the Holy Word, pray for godly wisdom, and prayerfully ask your sins be forgiven, by asking Jesus to be your personal Lord and Savior. Until you take these steps, your spirit is dead and because of your unforgiven sins, you are an enemy of God. Once you take a step of faith and become a child of God, then your spirit becomes sensitive to the things of God and you can learn to make godly choices as you grow and mature spiritually. It's a life long process, challenging, but so rewarding, and fulfilling to a child of God as you mature daily from reading, hearing, and studying His Holy Word, and being receptive of the teachings of the Holy Spirit.
No matter how old we grow physically, we'll always be babes to God. He is our Heavenly Father and we are His children.
Scripture references-Chapter of Exodus,
and Luke 23:34
JESUS
A
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Leave your comment below. Until next time, keeping my faith and face on the Son who is shining high above all.
Same sex marriage has recently become legal in the state of New York. I understand people need love and affection. It's ingrained in us to love. But in referencing God's infallible Word, same sex marriage will lackone vital element, and that is God's blessings upon it. God created man (Adam) and woman (Eve) and fashioned them for each other, from then afterwards when man leaves his parents to take his wife, they shall be one flesh. (read it in Genesis, Chapters 1 & 2)
God designed marriage for man and woman to become so intertwined-God would view their union as one flesh. God blesses that. Any alteration and God isn't going to bless it . (see Leviticus 18:22). The Creator gave us a marriage template to follow of Adam and Eve. God designed Eve for Adam to fulfill him. You can read this in the first four chapters of the Book of Genesis in the Bible. Adam and Eve, man and wife, were a married couple according to God- one flesh. (Gen. 2:24).
God placed man and woman together to go forth and multiply.(Genesis 1:27-28). It still takes sperm from a male and an egg from a female to reproduce. If God made marriage to be with two of the same sex, there would have never been a second generation. Same sex marriage couples can never conceive their own biological children together.
God's design is perfect- anything other than God's design is a counterfeit, an adulterated copy, the distorted truth, corrupted, imperfect, and ungodly. Throughout history, men and women have devised all sorts of ways in order to get their wants, desires and habits even if those wants were contrary to God and His Holy Word. And in doing so, men and women choose to reason, rationalize, and change laws to fit their needs so their wants and desires might be legal and look right, and choose to not believe their behavior is contrary to God's Word, which amounts to being transgression, and a sin, and when made into a chosen lifestyle, it's a sinful lifestyle. In this instance, man lying with a man rather than a woman, is abomination, (see Leviticus 18:22). Man can change laws of the land to satisfy his needs, desires, and morals, but this does not change the truth or righteousness of God's Word. When God has His hand and blessing upon something or someone, nothing can outdo or outshine it. God's Word is for our benefit. His Word is solid and unchanging. And there can be no argument against His righteous judgment to those who've sinned against His Word, the law.
View is video below from godtube.com of a marriage ceremony. Listen carefully to the words this couple say to each other. A marriage isa man and a woman becoming one in the sight of God to be blessed.
BONUS- God designed marriage to be, 1) an example on Earth of love. 2) for a man and woman who love each other in that special, heartfelt way to become one flesh, and reproduce and bring up other people to love God. 3) for us to learn and extend unconditional love to each other in a marriage blessed by Him, and even during marriage ups and downs, the union and love stays solid and true because the love is unconditional, unwavering, and unchanging like the love God has for us. I really believe marriage, the way God designed it to be is a window through which we can get a small idea of what heaven will be like.
Revisit the beginning of man and woman in the Bible and how God designed marriage for them. Start with Genesis 1: 27, 28 ; 2:7,18, 20-25 ; 3:20 ; 4:1; 5:2 ; and Leviticus 18:22.
Wouldn't you want your marriage blessed with the favor and protection of God?
No offense is intended or directed toward anyone. I'm just sharing the truth of God's Word on this subject. God loves all, but hates the sin. It's sin that Jesus died to pay your debt for your sin(s). Because of Him, your sins can be forgiven if you accept Jesus as your Savior. Sin that is unforgiven will prevent your entry into heaven. Sin is not allowed in heaven. There is one and only one way to have your sins forgiven to enter heaven. Sorry, there is no other way, or else God would've said so. God's Word is perfectly clear-it's through Jesus and not by you being a decent person, or being cute or handsome, or coming from a well-to-do family, or by giving so much money to the poor or anything else.... the only way is Jesus, and Jesus alone. Period.
And, it's a relationship God wants with you. That's also something which shows He wants you to know Him closely. That says a lot.
Going forward in God's Word step by step on that narrow, upward path.
Hey, never be ashamed to admit it. We all, and I mean we all are guilty of being back slidden at one time or another, and most of the time we've back slidden more times than we care to count.
The best thing to do is stop beating yourself up and thinking God has turned His back on you. That's the farthest from the truth and don't allow the liar of all liars keep you believing that. Satan gets his kicks when you believe his lies. The truth will set you free and satan doesn't want you to be free or to know the truth.
Now, get this in your brain. God isn't finished with you yet. God never gets fed up with you making mistakes. (but don't be so dumb by keep making the same mistakes over and over). God is plenty big to handle all your screw-ups and mess-ups. There is nothing too big for Him to handle any time day or night. God knows we are imperfect and sway to and fro, and battle with our the flesh and our brains are fickle, and He knows we're selfish and stubborn. God knows all about us already.
Now get this. God doesn't need you to be perfect. Only God is perfect. He just wants you to put your trust and faith in Him and in His Son, Jesus, and give your heart to Him, love Him and conduct your life as best you can according to His example, Jesus. You will do well at times, and you will mess up a times. You will continue to stumble and make mistakes because you are human. The important thing is, is the Lord in your heart?
So don't keep thinking about throwing in the towel because of your back slidding actions. Just get back up. It will take an act of humility on your part to get on your knees and have a one-on-one conversation to tell God you're sorry. That's not very hard to do. Then get up and go forward with God. He will never turn away from you. All you have to do is turn to Him and He's there for you.
So get over it already! Don't let being back slidden keep you for another minute from all the goodness and forgiveness awaiting you in the loving arms of a very patient and forever loving God.
BONUS- if you backslide 100 times, God will forgive you every time you ask and He will wipe all sins away. That's His promise. Jesus paid for all sins. With Jesus, by faith, no sin will separate you from the love of God. There's nothing too awful, no mountain too high, no ocean too deep that will keep God from loving you. Now, that ought to be 'good news' and make you want to ask Jesus into your heart right this moment and ask God to help you in any thing keeping you from Him so you can stop whatever is causing you to backslide. It might be an instantaneous deliverance, or it might take some time while God helps you work through some issues, but He is always faithful and true. Don't give up.
I like the bow and arrow visual picture- you have to pull the bow back before releasing the arrow to shoot forward. Never give up- God isn't. Release what's holding you in the backslidden mode, and move closer to God and see what happens!
You never have to be perfect, only forgiven.
I was meditating on the Sunday message my pastor gave this week and I think it's the best I've ever heard. I rate it a 10. The message summed up everything about being a Christian, about how to live and about what's really important in life. The message really hit home with me in a big and profound way. The topic of the message was about covetousness, the insatiable greed and desire to have things we don't possess, but to me it was about how to live, conduct myself about life matters and decisions, and how to please God. By touching on all these matters, the message included just about everything in life for today, tomorrow and into eternity. That's one super message!
I sum the message up into four points, along with Bible scripture my pastor gave-
1. Everything comes from God. Let me clarify that- everything means everything.
2. You're going out the same way you came in. In plain English, that means empty-handed
you were born and the same you'll be when you die. Never are there any exceptions.
3. Putting faith and importance in things and money is just plain stupidity.
4. And, since it all belongs to God, in all situations it's wise to seek Him first and obey His commandments. This pleases God, and it's best to please Him than to not please Him.
Remember, #1.
Buck naked and empty-handed you came, and the same you will leave
Hearing this message on covetousness about one rich man in the Bible, who was a fool to think he had it made in the shade with his riches. He was wrong. It's not wise to be selfish or greedy or desire every thing you see or place faith in those things. Things don't sustain anyone. I could store up my personal things, and keep wanting more, but they will not add one second to my life and things do not make me and things are not the source of happiness. Have you ever wondered why wealthy people aren't the happiest people? It's okay to be content with what you have, and most of us have more than enough to be plenty content with. So lets put into practice the art of being content a little more. Might even be good to get rid of those extra things and free up some space around the house. There are millions of people in the world who would think I'm living large, because of what I have. It's silly of me to think I need more, when I have the necessities of life and then some. Many people around the world are not that fortunate to say they have more than enough. However, need to be very content with what I have while holding onto my dream of living in my two bedroom log cabin home with red roof and wrap around porch.
I know everything I have or possess is a blessing from God. I know there's nothing wrong with having things, but keep it in focus to love the giver, who is everlasting, and not the things, which are temporal. And, I think coveting things is a sin.
Scripture references- Luke 12:13-21, chapter 12:31-35, chapter 18:18-25
Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 chapter 5:19, chapter 6:7, chapter 12:7,13,14
and Job 1:21
One added thought- obeying His commandments is not the old 10 Commandments. That was overridden when Jesus came. The commandments can be summed up into two, and Jesus gave them. 1. We are to love God, the Father with all your might, all your heart, soul and mind. 2. And Jesus said love our neighbor as yourself. When you obey these two commandments, you are obeying the old ten commandments. So, the commandments have been condensed down to two commandments. I purposefully make it my personal goals to please God the best I can everyday. Matthew 22: 36-39; Mark 12:29-31 and Luke 10:26-28.
Until next time,
The path is wonderful being lit by the light of the Son.
I just read that ex-President Bush's daughter, Barbara, is on the side for same sex marriage. This made me sit for a while to contemplate about what I've learned over the years of Sunday morning sermons, my Bible reading and studying, and listening to hundreds of hours of fine Bible teachers on Christian radio. I'm not going to be judging anyone, that's not my place to do, as I'm a sinner saved by grace. But it's my understanding that marriage is created by God for the union of joining together a man to a woman. I can't think of a single scripture that indicates God's approval for same sex marriage. If God intended for same sexes to marry, then two men could birth their offspring, or two women could birth their offspring. But that's impossible and can never be for two of the same sex. In a union, the man is the husband and the female is the wife. The father is male and the mother is female. One of each, not two of the same. Any thing other than that is not of God's design. And the inspired Word of God says homosexuality is an abomination, a detestable act and unnatural. Anything other than how it's originally designed is not authentic but an attempt to copy and no matter how hard two men or two women try to make their love for each other be just like the love and marriage of a man to a woman, it's impossible. That's like wanting to believe an apple is an orange even though they're both labeled as fruit, they can't ever be what the other is. Since the garden of Eden, man and woman got their first taste of defying God, and have since then been coming up with reasonings and excuses to justify and fit his or her personal desires to have what she/he wants outside of God's protective and loving boundaries. I have to admit we humans can come up with some pretty good excuses and arguments. We've become good at finding ways to justify our desires and believe we should have everything we want no matter what and push God right out of the picture. I don't know if God in his Spiritual way laughs or cries when He hears the excuses. And still God is so abounding in love that He allows us, His creation to go along as we please in our selfish ways and ignore His warnings that it's wrong. He allows man to keep on traveling down that dark road hoping we see the error of our ways. But somewhere down that road the effects of choices made will come to pass. That is for sure. The effects could be miles down the road or just around the corner. And the effects of disobeying God can manifest in anything- our bodies, our homes, jobs, those we love, anything.
The effects of our choices could be down the road or around the bend
Just as you can't ignore gravity, God's Word is a sure thing- solid as solid can be. God is ever so patience and extends a mighty long, mercy arm to all of us every second of every day. I am so grateful of that. If two of the same sex desires to be together in a relationship, please call it something other than marriage. The master design for marriage is the union of opposite sexes to produce offspring in love by the coming together of different body structures fitting together for sperm from the man to meet inside the body of his wife and a new life starts and grows inside her body, which is designed for protecting and nurturing new growth. If intimate love between two men or between two women is to happen, that's an entity of man's design and should be called something other than marriage. There's no way they can reproduce on their own as a man with a woman can. No way. And dare I think, if man or woman wishes for the right to marry whomever they love, then what could next down the line-the right to marry their pet they love? Remember, man wants what man wants. And many times, man wants to defy God. A lot of times his wants get him in trouble.
God created love, and designed us to enjoy love and intimacy within the realms He designed. If man or woman go outside those realms, and give the reason that they have the right to do so because it's what they want, then so be it. Anyone can read of the consequences that resulted in those who defied God. The consequences can be various and can be long coming, but they will come. God lovingly gives us the will to choose, but I know it must hurt his heart just as a parent tells their child to not play in the street, but the child decides to play there anyway, and one day is seriously hurt. Whether it's willful or unknowingly, disobedience is sin. A sinful lifestyle is sin. The consequences of sin are real. If you choose to ignore God's Word, you're given that choice to do so, now. But ignoring and excuses won't fly when you have to one day face God and give an account of your choices. God's Word stands and endures forever.
Marriage-created by God to unify a man and a woman
Bad. Yeah, that was me. And knowing that, I knew I wasn't worthy to receive God's gift. I am a sinner. I've done things I am not proud of. I've behaved badly. I've thought horrible thoughts. I've been selfish, self-centered, evil, filthy, corrupt, and didn't care what anyone thought. I've lied, even cheated, and heavens knows all the things I've done. But God was patient and loving to not give up on me. Let me back up to when I was a youngster. I was privileged and blessed with two of the sweetest, gentlest grandmothers. Whenever I was with either of them on a Sunday, it was a given we'd be going to church. Back then, I didn't know too much about religion,Christianity, and such, but I watched my grandmothers. They were solid and true, and I thank God for them, bless their souls. One was in the country and one was in the city and when I think of her I think of her playing the organ.
As a child I enjoyed listening to my grandmother play the organ
Mom made sure us kids were in church on Sunday mornings, too. So I had an introduction to hearing the Word of God, and most of the time I don't think I got a single thing out of those Sunday sermons. To me sermons were always too long and boring, but I was there mostly doodling on paper and standing when it was time to stand, and sing when it was time to sing from the hymnal. Sunday school was better, because got to do something artsy, and move about or take part in discussion or something besides sit and hear a boring sermon. I did have one Sunday school teacher whom I loved and enjoyed being in her class so much, that I didn't want to advance to the next class and leave her. It was in her class I learned the names of all 66 books of the Bible. I remember that being a major accomplishment. When you're a kid, 66 of anything is a lot. All this was the foundation of what was to happen later.
I joined the Marine Corps. I distinctly remember a fellow Marine, just an acquaintance, come up to me and tell me that I needed to get saved. I thought it odd that he would tell me that at that time. I knew he was right, but I wasn't ready. I don't think I wanted to make that decision right then, because I was busy enjoying my independence and having fun on the weekends with the guys, and actually having the time of my life. But what he told me remained in the back of my mind for a long time, especially on Sunday mornings when I was sleeping in. Looking back on my life, and the things I had done, I started thinking I wasn't good enough to receive the good things of God. I kept putting God on the back burner, and that also was adding to my guilt of not going ahead in making my decision. There was conflict going on in my head because I knew that as long as I didn't decide for God, I was really deciding against God, and I knew that was wrong, too, and that added to my guilt feelings even more. One Summer I remember reading every word of a book about Malcolm X, and was impressed with the routine praying times of Muslims. I remember thinking seriously about Islam, but deep inside it conflicted with what knew about God and Jesus. In Christianity you can pray and talk to God any time of the day or night and not have to stop and pray in a certain direction at specific times of the day. The Word taught God loved all equally. The Word taught humbleness, gentleness, goodness, patience, peace, patience, self-control, joy and love. Something important was missing I didn't see was offered in the Muslim religion, I couldn't put my finger on it- was it the men and women were separated during religious services? I wondered about that, but I definitely knew something very important was missing. I kept these feelings and thoughts to myself, but kept wondering what choice should I make. Thank God, He remained patient with me. I had never told anyone about my pondering of becoming a Muslim until typing this right now. It came down to a major illness to someone dear to me for me to wake up and see that each day is a very precious gift from God and stop wasting time and make up my mind. Life is short. And Islam didn't offer or promise me what I knew Jesus offered. I was a teenager when my brother first got sick, and on into my twenties when God called him home. I used to think I had plenty of time, plenty of years to decide. I was wrong. My brother, six years my junior died in my arms after 6 years of chemo and surgeries dealing with a childhood kidney disease. During those six years not once did I have the thought he would die, until the morning of the day he died. I cried all day long. That day I realized my brother wasn't going to graduate high school or get married, or grow to old age. The world was not going to be the same without this a fabulous young man in it, and I also thought God wanted my brother with him. Why not me, I thought? Through my red and puffy eyes, that night my eyes were opened I think for the first time, to spiritual things. I willingly opened my heart and asked God to forgive me for all my sins. It took the death of my brother, to finally get me to make the one decision I'd been putting off. I saw that departing this body actually is beautiful when you're a Christian, because it's true, angels escort you out of here. I was in my brother's hospital room because God wanted me to witness this just as real as real can be. I didn't see angels, but I felt something very strongly that I can describe must have been angels about my brother. I can honestly describe it was peaceful and beyond any words can describe, and it was at that moment that it all made sense to me. It's spiritual, and God's ways are far, far above and far, far better than man's logic and thinking. God does things in a way and manner that can't be explained, but later I can look back and see His hand was in it for the good of all concerned. My brother is fine, I know it, and I was glad he was released from severe pain his body had endured, and his heavenly escort was there to take him into the presence of the Lord.
I quietly in my heart, by faith, accepted Jesus, God's greatest gift to me later that night of March 17,1982. My decision was the right decision, and my faith continues to grow stronger. My spirit rejoices more and more, there's nothing else like it. My experience that night taught me there's no fear to die. God's word tells that after the last breath here, the next breath is with the Lord. If you haven't already asked Jesus into your heart, why are you waiting? The gift from God is waiting to be received by every single person, and all you have to do is ask, and God's greatest gift, Jesus, is yours. He's already paid-in-full the penalty for your sins. The greatest love in all the world has been demonstrated by God for all people. Take it.
Religion is such a strong topic in daily news headlines. A question I'd like to have answered is what do people see in the Islam religion that's better than of the Christian religion?
Readwhat I learned from an American woman, who had married a Muslim man
A few years ago, I did for a few months have occasion to speak to a woman who had married a Muslim man. She was American born. She told me she was divorced from her first husband, a doctor in California, and had four children. She then married a Muslim man, converted to his religion, Islam, and moved to Iran with her kids. I never knew of a stronger woman than her from hearing about what she endured in Iran. She told me some stories of horrible things that happened to her and her children while in Iran. Her eyes were blue, so with the traditional clothing she wore in Iran, she could not hide the color of her eyes. She told me she learned enough of the language to go to market and ride in a taxi, but even talking the language and obeying the customs there, from listening to her many stories during the time I spent with her, (she was very health conscious and attended some of my essential oil classes), I thought she endured more than I thought any one person could survive and still come out alive. There should be a movie made of her life, it was that spell-binding hearing the things she told me. She risked her life getting out of Iran, and at anytime any man or woman could have blown the whistle on her during her plight, and her fate would've been very grim. She told me she wanted better for her children and she knew she had to get back to the U.S. She did work and secretly saved up enough money to travel. She had to leave all belongings and be very cautious at every turn under the cover of dark to make it out of Iran with her kids. They left with practically nothing. Her precious books she had to leave. She said books were very rare there. She saw no one cares about books or reads. And she had brought a suitcase of jewelry to start a small jewelry business there, but her husband's family took it all upon her arrival, and she had no say so in the matter. Her daughters at a very, very young age, she permitted to marry, the men were brothers, and she told me all day women were expected to clean the house, scrub the floors on their hands and knees daily, and had to haul water and practically were slaves to housework. That basically was their position, an immaculate house, cook, raise the children, and please their husbands-and any hope of an education for her girls was totally out of the question. And for woman, their every move is under watchful eyes. She told me she had labored hard at growing a vegetable garden, but her neighbors helped themselves to whatever they wanted. Because she was a 'white female' she couldn't do a thing to prevent any neighbor boy or older woman from taking from her garden what ever they wanted, when ever they wanted. She said one step out of line and it's understood women get beaten and bruised unmercifully. That's how they are kept to stay in check. Heaven forbid if you're home by yourself, and your husband brings home a male guest. If you're in one room and walk to another room, not knowing your husband has brought home a guest, and he sees you with your head uncovered, or too much of your neck showing, or too much above your ankles showing in your own home, it's your fault. It's always the woman's fault. In Iran, she told me a man can commit rape, but it's not the man's fault. The woman has to suffer for being sexually violated, and also suffer for disgracing her family because she was raped. And it's her fault. The man rapes the woman, but she pays the penalty and nothing happens to him. Her life is essentially over and he gets no reprimand at all for violating her. She told me even male children are taught early to disrespect females, and young girls are taught their position in life is below men.
My friend moved and I've long lost contact with her, but I can never forget the horrible things she told me women under Islam religion have to live. Out of respect, I never asked her why did she continue with this religion after she escaped from Iran. I'll never know. I did a google search just to see what I could find on people converting to Christianity. This never makes it to the headline news. God doesn't need headlines. He works quietly one-on-one on the inside. No one and no heart is out of reach of God's influence. Maybe these Christian converts got their hands on Christian literature, or studied the Bible for themselves, or heard someone give their testimony, or listened to a Christian radio or TV program. Maybe they listened to God speaking to their heart. It pleases my heart to know no one is out of the reach of God, no matter what their religion or belief, God is God, and He can touch and change any one's heart. He changed Saul's heart and he was converted from a Christian-hater to Apostle Paul, a changed man, a man who was very influential in the early Christian churches. And God changed my heart one night when I couldn't sleep. I received the gift of life and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. No heart is out of reach. Of course, only God knows the condition of your heart. Who knows, maybe Saul was puzzled and secretly envied that Christians were willing to die for there belief in Jesus. Spread the good news of the gospel at every opportunity, for you can never know what heart is seeking to know the truth of the gospel and that no matter what they've been up to then, Jesus is waiting to be invited into every beating heart. Here's a list of some people who've converted from Islam to Christianity. Some people on this list are from very devote Muslim families, or very learned in the Muslim religion.
Until you invite Jesus by faith into your heart, you remain under the penalty of sin.There is no amount of good deeds you can do to get out from the penalty of sin. Jesus, and Jesus alone is the way, the truth and the life. I don't find any other that can compare to Jesus having being the only way approved by God, the sacrificial lamb, becoming sin, and dying, thus when I have faith and accept Jesus, then I am accepting I believe who He is, what He did, and by faith, my sins are forgiven. Before Jesus, those looked forward to the Messiah to come and had to have priests offer animal sacrifices to temporarily cover sins. Jesus is the Messiah, He is Son of God, and He is the only Way. God is love and Jesus came to show you how much He loves you by dying for you so you can be freed from spiritual death. That's good news for all. All you have to do is believe, exercise faith and keep exercising it until it becomes strong faith day by day, and ask Him into your heart and the spiritual transformation takes place. Right now, this hour, this day is a real good time to do that. All I can say since the night I quietly asked Jesus to be my Savior, forgive me of my sins, and make me a changed person, I have been freed and it's a wonderful feeling. No matter what I am a child of God and I've been set free. What are you waiting for?
Ever in the warmth and glow of the author of my faith.
Very early this morning I looked up and gazed at the dark sky decorated by bright stars and the moon. It was beautiful. Now I've just read that scientists have under estimated the number of stars in the universe. Their new estimation is 300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars are out there. I just had to type all those zeros. The way to say that number is 300 sex-trillion.
I know scientists maneuver complex sophisticated equipment and use calculus and mathematics and all that. They've re-calcuated their original scientific star count. You know what I think? I think no matter how much they count, they will never be able to accurately determine the number of stars in the sky. God is not to be equaled. He made the universe and His creation is too vast and far reaching for anything man can ever count or measure. God is immeasurable, and His creation is higher and wider than man can conceive or imagine. His greatness is the number of stars times infinity to the infinite power. The heavens can't be measured no matter how smart all the scientists in all the world are. Infinite. Hard to get the smartest human mind around infinite. No computer can calculate that number because the zeros would keep on going without end infinitely. Man can't even make up the name of that number, other than call it 'infinite'. Cannot ever be measured.
Only God knows the number of stars and calls them by name
Scripture references- Genesis 1:16; Psalms 33:6 and 147:4; Rev 22:16
There's one star called the Bright and Morning Star. Click here then scroll down to #12, and while scrolling down, see the many other names Jesus is called.
Keeping my faith and gaze toward the Bright and Morning Star.
