Consciousness: The sum total input from all our senses and our perception of what it means.
GOD provides us with the gift of our senses and the gift of our intellect; how we perceive what it all means and interpret it with our consciousness can be is dependent on whether or not we believe GOD. Since I am a Christian my source of guidance for this process comes from The Word of GOD; in particular what Jesus taught.
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The Bible is the lens and filter by which we Christians should examine what we do and who we say we are.
Best Help Here – image pixabay.com
Diligent study of GOD’s Word will strengthen our ability to avoid temptation and sin and live a more GOD influenced life every day.
Bad or Good – image pixabay.com
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If we reject GOD and choose evil or even the appearance of evil we and others will look at our lives and our existence from that point of view; Choose GOOD; Choose Jesus and eternity with GOD.
Falling Away from GOD – image pixabay.comDorot Jewish Division, The New York Public Library. “Sepulchres of the judges of Israel” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Judges Of Israel Accessed June 1, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47d9-5d16-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
When the Hebrews were settled in the land GOD promised (some of the land that is) and things were relatively peaceful the people would forget what GOD had done for them. During the time of the Judges there became a cycle of falling away from GOD and dire consequences then GOD would raise up a Judge to lead them back and defeat their enemies. This cycle persisted for twelve judges; the period ends when Saul became King.
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Some of us Christians may be hard pressed to admit it but, we easily forget when GOD has answered our prayer(s) and drift into a carefree nonchalant frame of mind until the next crises. That behavior can be explained with this familiar phrase, “What have you done for me lately?”. We probably do not mean it that way but it still appears that way to others.
“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—
An Even Worse Attitude?
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An even worse attitude may be taking GOD for granted. Assuming that the answer to prayer will be what we think is right, sometimes relying on GOD’s Grace to cover what may otherwise be our sin.
So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.
Even Moses Faltered
Moses The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Moses Fountain,Washington Park, Albany, N. Y.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed March 24, 2016. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47d9-a305-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Moses struck a rock at Mount Horeb as GOD instructed and water flowed for the people during the Exodus but later GOD instructed Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water but he hit it with a stick again: this displeased GOD and evoked anger.
SONG: Steven Curtis Chapman – Remember to Remember
Some people want to portray GOD as just love while others as a vengeful god spewing “fire and brimstone”. Christians who study scriptures diligently must come to the conclusion GOD is both. To become a Christian we must admit we are sinners and repent. Elsewhere in the Bible there are numerous references to The Love GOD has for us and creation – of course Sin, Fallen Angels, Satan and Evil is excluded.
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved
Salvation comes by accepting that Jesus paid for all sin: this is the “carrot”; un-confessed sin and an unrepentant attitude condemns us to hell: that is the stick.
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
The Stick is Bitter!
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Therefore we as Christians must speak truth: Yes God is Love he provides and has given Salvation through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ on the Cross but, to ignore the penalty for unrepentant sin does not help anyone and leads to eternal damnation.
SONG: Kristian Stanfill: My Reward – Official Lyric Video
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
2) GOD generated visions and dreams
Genesis 37:5-8ESV
Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library. “Full-page miniature with four scenes” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 17, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-e9b4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library. “Small miniature of John and full-page miniature of the First Vision” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 17, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-eca0-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.6 He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed:7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.”8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
Apostle Paul – image from pixabay.comAnd a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Moses receiving the Ten Commandments” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 17, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/b0d728c0-e148-0132-1904-58d385a7bbd0And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
Jesus was not starting a new religion, he came to lead the Hebrews back to GOD. All the people of Jewish hierarchy were well in trenched in the dogma they established and perpetuated.
Fisherman – images from pixabay.com
Most of the augmented law of The Pentateuch had been corrupted to benefit the religious and secular Jewish leaders. The Jewish fisherman and other laymen understood “The Law” and traditions but were open to what a new Rabi (Jesus) had to say.
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so practice and observe whatever they tell you—but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, …
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jews Seek to Attack Jesus The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “The Jews Seek to Stone Jesus” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 10, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/6728e710-a397-0134-6963-00505686a51c
OK John the Baptist offered a way for the Jews to repent and regain favor with GOD and apparently most rejected him. Jesus came to offer the same to all the Jewish people but it seems only sinners and tax collectors heard and obeyed. Only a very few leaders responded as Nicodemus had. Eventually the hardened hearts resulted in the Crucifixion of Jesus and the offer of salvation to all people (including Gentiles).
SONG: Open the Eyes of My Heart by Michael W. Smith, lyrics included.
In some places in the world trust is a rare commodity. It is difficult to trust leaders, police, military, neighbors or even friends. When you need something people in these palaces are never sure they are getting what they are paying for or, they expect that in order to receive the correct goods or services they often must be prepared to bribe someone.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Our Society Honors Success Often Above All Else
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We often value people with more material success more than others. This can lead to tolerance of sin, evil and abuse of less privileged people.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
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As Christians we know our salvation does not depend on earthly things so we should focus on our future in heaven
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
Strong Bond – image pixabay.com
Song: My Reward video by Ronald Nard feat vocalist, the awesome Jermia Cannon. This video put’s a visual perspective to the song. “My Reward” is in Heaven. Lead by Jermia Cannon and background vocals by Kacy Harvey & Sound Of Praise.
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. …
And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” …
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
The Resurrection – images from pixabay.com
Chris Tomlin – Resurrection Power Lyrics (Worship Song 2018)
The Hebrews welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday because they thought He was about to become a conquer and a king in a way that would throw off the rule of Rome. The people hoped for this although Jesus arrived as a Prince of Peace.
The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. …
Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) – Paul Baloche (Best Worship Song with Lyrics)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Ravaged Places – images from pixabay.com
You may grow very tired saving people, feeding people or attending to those who are ill but this “weary” is not about our need to get physical rest. This “weariness” a mental (or even spiritual) tiring that may lead one to abandon the “good work”. No we are not collecting points to enter heaven we have eternity with GOD by what Jesus has accomplished when he shed His blood and paid for sin by dying on The Cross.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Assist – images from pixabay.com
The good works demonstrate the love of god and our gratitude for our salvation.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
You do not have to travel far to find hungry people
People living on the edges of society, homeless and hungry, permeate just about every corner of our land – urban areas and isolated rural areas also. As Christians we can help them; as we do, we demonstrate the Love of GOD and can explain the Gospel to them. We should not make our help conditional nor try to force our belief on them. In The Word of God it says:
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
*Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library. “‘Îsâ (Jesus) receives food from heaven and is able to feed his followers.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed March 25, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/d304a860-a153-0135-63e1-05dec81b5a8f
In those days, when again a great crowd had gathered, and they had nothing to eat, he called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away.” And his disciples answered him, “How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place?” And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” …
Sometimes in the aftermath of disasters too.
Bread and Soup Line **
Soup and Bread at the Tables ***
** The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Jim Forrest and his supply camp on Laguna St., San Francisco disaster, April 18, 1906.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed March 25, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-60b8-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
*** The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Los Angeles relief camp in Golden Gate Park. 10,000 people were fed there every day.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed March 25, 2019. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-609a-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Consciousness: The sum total input from all our senses and our perception of what it means.
GOD provides us with the gift of our senses and the gift of our intellect; how we perceive what it all means and interpret it with our consciousness can be is dependent on whether or not we believe GOD. Since I am a Christian my source of guidance for this process comes from The Word of GOD; in particular what Jesus taught.
