The news last week about Steve Jobs passing at age 56, losing his fight with pancreatic cancer brought me to think about the brevity of life in this body. I'm sure Mr. Jobs had the best doctors, however, the condition was fatal. I had a brother who died very young from kidney cancer. Like all who've lost a loved one to cancer, in my heart I questioned why would God allow such a thing to happen. Why? Recently, I was reminded I am in no position to question the ways God. If He says so, then that is what will be. God is creator and His Word is all that matters. We are His creation, with a beginning and an end in this body, and can't know all the things in the world that God knows. We can't see the future or know God just might be sparing us from something worse. Even if He did give me an answer, that answer would most likely make as much sense to me as explaining aerospace engineering to a toddler.
God can do with His creation whatever He wishes. Every ray of sunshine, every drop of water, every moment of time, every grain of sand, is His creation. We breathe His air and walk on his soil. Man is the maker of nothing original. Everything made by man is used of God's material.
Steve Jobs was a family man to those he loved, but to the world he was a visionary and inventor, and his print was on many products that affected and were utilized proudly by millions the world over. He used his brain and creativity and like others before him, like Einstein, Edison, Ford, and Carver, just to name a few, who changed the world with their inventions and intelligence. God gave them each what they needed to complete their a mission. Steve Jobs was in that category as well.
Jesus was also completed his mission, actually the first and left us more to mankind than all the above mentioned- and He is still changing the world today. No one can touch Jesus in the fact that He is the only one that can change your soul and wipe away your sins. The world has never be the same since Jesus walked on Earth as a man. His ministry and service to mankind is untouchable by any other man. His contribution to mankind is largely misunderstood my many because His kingdom is spiritual and eternal, not temporary, and is far more important than anything you can possess. Jesus' gift to mankind is extended to all and totally free.
Jesus left his mark, and his mark is the only mark you can possess with lasting, eternal impact- no Apple digital product, or any invention made by man can match that.
What is your reasonable service? And does it bring glory to the Lord?
My condolences to the Job family.
Talents and gifts are from the Lord, and when used to bring Him glory, you are on your path and fulfilling your mission in life.
Earlier this year I went to see a show held at a school auditorium. It was an illusion show. The illusionists were an entertaining, attractive young couple, a man and woman and their stage crew. The entire show was a top notch performance, and I admit I was stumped and mystified most of their entire act. Since David Copperfield and his famous staged illusions, like making an elephant suddenly appear on stage, the term "illusion" really is a fitting term for how these entertainers mystify their spellbound audiences. Let me tell you, I was sitting pretty close to the stage and watched their every move without blinking, hoping to see a little fault of the hand to witness how the illusion was done.
When you're happy, that helps the illusion continue
For instance, I watched the illusionist on stage tear the local newspaper into pieces, then he balled all the torn newspaper pieces in his hands. He's on stage, wearing a t-shirt, standing in full view, with nothing around him. Then he opens his hand, and unfolds the ball of newspaper and it's back to it's original condition. How? It was an illusion. The hand can fool the eye. He's perfected his craft, and that's why the show was so entertaining. You know I got on the Internet and searched how to do that paper tearing illusion. I practiced and gave my own one-woman amateur show to some friends using a regular sheet of paper. It was fun to do, but I couldn't do it as well as a professional. Maybe with a dozen or so years of practice, I could perform that illusion and make someone wonder how did I do that. But it's an illusion, and when done with precision, it looks real!
The master deceptor will gain the appeal of the masses
If the right person could be so good convincing an audience, he could take it further and easily fool the masses. He could fool the world. He could have people eating out of his hand and believing everything he says and does. He could have people wanting and eagerly following his every suggestion. He could have people mesmerized with his craftiness. He could have people on the way to hell and they wouldn't even have an idea they were headed there because he's just that good. He has great communication skills, charisma, and power to give people the things they want so they will feel happy. But in reality he's an illusionist who's ultimate goal is to deceive. So in receiving things provided by this illusionist, in the end there will unfortunately be a dear, dear price to pay.
This all made me think that's what Satan, the fallen angel, is up to. He's the very best of the best at giving the illusion there's nothing wrong with taking what he's offering. Satan is offering the things that please and gratify the eye and the flesh right now, and feed your pride. But he's failing to inform about his long term goal. His hidden agenda is to get your eyes off Jesus by any means possible. This very thing has been written in the Bible, and all should take note. Choosing against the things of God comes with some serious, adverse consequences. The Bible tells you of these warnings to protect you from being hurt. God is Love and His Word is Truth. God desires you to seek Him, to know Him and praise Him for who He is, but He will not force you out of fear or trick you to honor Him. He wants you to do it willingly. Satan, however is about lying and deception to get you to praise him and give him attention instead of to God. He plays on your desires. The worse part is whatever he gives will never last and the price for it is hellish to pay. Satan's destiny is hell and the lake of fire. But before he's there he wants you to worship him and not God. He's not giving that piece of information. He knows that if he gives you want you want, you'll be happy and therefore you won't see further than that. He's pulling the wool over your eyes. And if you wear his mark, there's no way you'll get to heaven. Satan wants to steal your praise and attention from God and Jesus- in other words, he wants you to suffer with him in hell. Don't believe the devil's deception's. Don't be in the crowd believing his illusions and deceptions.
The illusionist show I saw was entertaining. But the master illusionist is not about entertaining- he uses real things in order to get you hooked and turned away from the things of God. If you're not aware of this, you wouldn't even know he was doing this. That's why he's the master of deception. In the Bible are many stories written about what happened when people turned from God, then when they came upon trouble, they cried out to God to deliver them. (the Hebrew people, David, Samson, just a few). The good news is God has provided all people a way to be saved from a dreadful and horrible ending. God desires all to be saved through His Son, Jesus, who defeated Satan and covered sin once and for all. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No illusion of his crucifixion, nor of his resurrection, nor of the wounds he bore for us. Through Him alone, by faith be saved and never die a spiritual death. This is extended to every man and woman alike. See my previous blog posting if you desire to know how to receive Jesus by faith as your Lord and Savior. What God offers is always good and lasting.
Scripture references: Revelation 12:9; 19:20; 20:10,14,15; 21:8
1 Peter 1:3-12; 5:8-9
Matthew 7:14-16; 10:32-33; 18:1-4; 24:51
2 Corinthians 2:10-12; 4:4; 11:14
2 Thessalonians 2:8-10
2 Peter 2:4; 3:3-4
1 Timothy 5:14-16
Luke 12:5, and Chapter 21
Isaiah 5:14
Jeremiah 10:12
Proverbs 27:20
Mark 9:42-47 and Mark Chapter 13
Acts 4:12
Romans 1:16-32
(If you don't have a Bible handy, use this form to look up scripture-
Sadly, many people think the things of God are foolishness, therefore they will not heed warnings. (1Corinthians 2:14) Many prophets of the past foretold what was to come in the future. Wake up! Those things are happening every day. Right now, 1 out of 8 verses in the Bible deals with the times we're living in right now and what's going to happen in the future. The Bible can be trusted as God's Holy Word without a doubt. Read what happened to this his man who called himself the "biggest skeptic in the world". He set out on a mission to discredit the Bible.
A friend took me to see the Cross Garden about ten years ago near Prattville, Alabama. The man who put up all these crosses was very adamant about warning everyone that it's not too late to get yourself in right standing with God. He was a missionary in the community he lived. The only time it's too late is after you've died a physical death, which is the first death. If you've not accepted Jesus, who is the only perfect sacrifice God recognizes for payment of man's sins, then essentially the devil's got 'cha and final destination is the Lake of Fire, which is where your spirit will experience thesecond death, the worse kind of death possible.
This is a serious enough subject to communicate. Your destiny is actually up to you. God has already provided everything to lead and show you, but your will He will not violate. He will not force or deceive anyone. Satan even uses that in his deception plotting. Up front he makes everything look mighty attractive and tempting, with his promises and pleasing up front demeanor. Many are and will continue to believe his illusions and deceptions rather than choose the way of true living God? Remember the illusionist and so convincingly believable at making himself and things appear fantastic, so many would rather choose what he offers and turn from God. But only the true God loves you and knows what's ultimately best for you. Satan is not about love. The Bible tells you what Satan is all about, how he will carry off his plan, and why he's doing it. Born again Christians, are saved from an eternity separated from God, redeemed by the saving grace of Jesus, our Savior and Lord to a heavenly destination called home. See these six steps to take right now to receive forgiveness of your sins and be saved from an eternity with Satan and his demons where your spirit will be tortured over and over without any hope of being rescued. Beyond horrible!
Yesterday I worked in the yard and forgot to apply sun protection on my face, so I figured it's a good time to make up a new facial mixture with pear and buttermilk. So I did and included one drop of myrrh essential oil. Let me tell you I really like the myrrh in this facial- the aroma is so relaxing. I had to squeeze out as much juice as possible from mashing half a pear so this mixture wouldn't be too watery and drip right off my face. I applied this mixture to my face like a mask and enjoyed the aroma while making breakfast. I'm going to add some aloe vera and yogurt to it for my next application, as you can see I made plenty. I keep it in the refrigerator and the essential oils help keep it fresh for about a week. Here it is below before blending in the myrrh oil.
My buttermilk, pear, and myrrh essential oil homemade facial
Humbly and graciously I keep my face before the Lord. Oh, by the way, my friends told me don't quit my regular job.
And lastly, I'll leave you with this video with a special message---
Driving home from work this morning, thinking and started to feel sad. There are so many people living right now and not the least bit concerned about where they're gonna spend eternity. We're living this life inside an outer fleshly shell, which is designed to last only eighty or so years. The real you and I is our soul, our spirit, that's made in the image of God. God is three-in-one, one-in-three- God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He's infinite, without limits, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscience, always was and always will be, He has no beginning and no end. Difficult for us mere mortals to grasp our little minds around, because we can't, we're not God.
Anyway, there are two deaths no one can escape from and will have to face if you die receiving without receiving Jesus as your savior. When we breathe our last breath, the flesh dies, this is the death we're familiar with, the first death, but, our soul/spirit never dies. The second death will be for those who did not accept Jesus as their savior, and therefore they will experience this second death which means their soul/spirit will eternally be separated from the presence of God, which is the Lake of Fire, and there can never be any rest from things that are meant for satan and the angels that decided to side with satan because satan thought he could be God. The only thing he could do was try to imitate God, and that's all he is, he performs a great illusion, and he's tricked a many, but he's a liar through and through. Nothing good in him. His plan is to deceive you so you miss your heavenly mansion. I can assure you, I don't want to be any place for any length of time meant for satan, Angels are spirit beings as well. Matter of fact, God has allowed satan to be the little god of this planet earth, which is why we see so much evil going on, but this is not our eternal home The future for saints, whose sins have been forgiven and wiped away by the atoning death and shed blood of God's Son, Jesus, our Savior, the Messiah.
All saints can look forward to a mansion being prepared by Jesus right now. Satan tried, but failed to stop the wonderful plan God had to spare all of mankind from that second death. God's gift of His Son is extended to every single person- all you have to do is say the words in your own way that you want Jesus to be your Savior and to save you from death that sin carries, and miraculously in the spirit world you'll instantly be adopted into the family of God, angles in heaven will rejoice, and your name will be written in the Book of Life, and your future eternal home amongst streets of gold will be awaiting. I'd much rather live in a heavenly mansion made just for me than in the Lake of Fire. Eternity is too long to be in the wrong place. There are many passages in the Holy Book that tells everything I've written about today. The entire Bible tells of the coming of Jesus, the need of Jesus, how Jesus was born and willingly carried out his great mission on earth for you. Jesus went to hell, the three days he was dead and took possession of the keys to death from satan. Jesus defeated the second death. Your spirit will never have to face that second death if you accept the only way God has designed for heaven. I'm not making any of this up. God is sinless, so your sins have to be forgiven and wiped away in order to be in heaven. I don't want anyone's soul to exist away from the presence of God when it's just a simple willingness and decision of the heart to decide where your soul/spirit will be for eternity. God has presented His Son to the world for all. Now you need to make your own decision, to accept His Son, or reject His Son. It's a choice of your heart and spirit. The Truth will set you free indeed.
