Nothing can be added nor taken away. Still, there are prophets today. No not like Elijah, Moses or John the Baptist; people that know The Word of GOD well, teach it, explain it and live by its precepts. These are the modern day prophets who remind us about GOD and GOD’s standards for all people.
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; . . .”
Any One – image from pixabay.com
Anyone can be transformed to be able to speak GOD’s truth
GOD can use: the least among us; the seemingly unworthy; the poor; the physically feeble. One more point: All are sinners in GOD’s eyes, so yes, even sinners can speak the truth of GOD.
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. …
: the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection; also: any of these occurrences
Perfect spot – image from pixabay.com
Christians believe GOD created all
Scientists sometimes point that our planetary system (Earth and its moon) and our Solar system have created a perfect place for life; more significantly, intelligent life. The mixture of elements, chemical processes, stability in our earth’s axis (among several other benefits including tides), the amount of liquid water and the orbit of our planet within the “Goldilocks” zone where temperatures are most favorable for life. Is this a series of remarkable coincidences? Our sovereign GOD – Creator purposely gave us all these benefits and more.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. …
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
The holiday rooted in thanking GOD for all. In The United States of America Thanksgiving remains less commercial and it harks back to earlier days when good harvests and life’s perks were fewer and very much less certain. It is ironic that in our times there are people who not only take our blessings for granted but see many as their right to have and experience. Still not everyone in our United States shares in its great wealth and bounty.
Thanksgiving – image from pixabay.com
We are The Created not the Creator
The Creator has not only given us life but has and does provide us with the means of our survival and even abundance at times: from food, shelter, peace and progeny to the very air we breath. GOD is all and we are part of Creation; we surely must humbly acknowledge this, express gratitude and act accordingly in our life which is a gift. We also should help those who lack things; especially basic things.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; …
Perfect- image from pixabay.comSin- image from pixabay.com
This is not an Ideal World
Ever since Adam and Eve sinned and were cast out of the Garden of Eden life for humans has not been easy: we have great capabilities in intelligence, skills and adaptability but use our free will for evil as well as good. Some times we find ourselves stuck in paradoxes and even the best of us can only guess at a solution to a problem.
Commandments – image from pixabay.com
Yes, if all people were obedient to GOD all would be much better here and now. Yet, even if only all Christians were perfectly obedient to Christian Ideals unsaved nonbelievers would still need some kind of help in order to live in this world successfully, as we strive to lead them to The Lord.
Gamble- image from pixabay.comMoulin-rouge – image from pixabay.com
There Just are not Enough Christians Living in Obedience to GOD.
Only Human- image from pixabay.com
Of course if it were to happen that all people are saved and know Jesus as their Lord and Savior then the work of The Great Commission would be finished.
Dead Shot- image from pixabay.com
The World would be a different place: no suffering, no mistakes . . . etc. Or would it? We still are living in the fallen world tempted and subject to deception and our own weakness.
Sin City- image from pixabay.com
When the people of GOD fail to be their brother’s keeper, care for widows and orphans and, support Christian principles fully, human logic may then lead us to tax wrong things instead of opposing them and, fail to call them what they are in the sight of GOD: SINS.
Washington DC – image from pixabay.comAlcohol – image from pixabay.comTabacco- image from pixabay.comProstitution- image from pixabay.com
Cannabis – image from pixabay.com
Therefore, GOD’s Revelation will be fulfilled nevertheless.
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
So, what can we do fellow Christian?
Wisdom
We as Christians are living in a flawed physical world that is ruled by a Fallen Angel; we accept Jesus, study GOD’s Word and become as obedient as possible to GOD. Each day that we are alive is a day closer to the return of Jesus Christ. Each day that we are alive we should grow in our Christian Walk and become more Christ-Like. We can only strive to do what is right and good. Keep up the Good Fight. Without GOD we cannot become Christ like but we must try.
And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
. . . the Center of Everything. No, I do not mean greater than GOD. What I am referring to is this: We perceive all about our existence through our senses and our senses are how we know everything that we know. Seems obvious to some of you and maybe weird to others. OK, GOD is everywhere, has been forever past (from our perspective) and will be forever future: GOD is beyond time without a beginning or ending.
Infinity – image from pixabay.com
We on the other hand view existence in terms of beginnings and endings. Think of it like this: we are at the center of how we perceive life; living.
Pointing – image from pixabay.com
GOD gave us life, a brain and knowledge.
We should pay our respects to our Creator. Yes our minds can perceive and conceive, project and reckon with and, come to recognize this truth: We are the created not the creator. Can any of us form from nothing a living entity? Can we make a new form of matter? Invent a new natural law? I do not think so.
We Update Our Knowledge All the Time
A speck on a speck – image from pixabay.comThe Milky-way – image from pixabay.com
The Earth was center . . . no, the sun . . . no, the galaxy . . . no, the universe . . . This thing is good; no it is bad; wait it is, good; now it is bad again. . . GOD is the only true eternal constant.
SO WHO WILL YOU SERVE?
Jesus is central – image from pixabay.com
I chose the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal Supreme Being-Creator GOD. GOD is the center and source of all that I know and can know. Forever and ever AMEN.
Scripture that helps guide and correct our understanding of GOD and who we are:
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. …
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years,
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Anything can happen at anytime, yet humans tend to project the worst that could happen (admittedly I am guilty of that). If you research the history of elections you may discover unusual outcomes or what actually occurs during a victors term. Suppose the political rhetoric turns out to mean nothing at all? Suppose a candidate wins but acts totally different than what was expected? Suppose a winning candidate resigns while in office? We cannot see the future but GOD does know all about the future. GOD is in control.
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
As a Christian I do not see any candidate representing me at this time.
Vote – image from pixabay.com
As a Centrist I do my best to select someone who comes close to representing my beliefs and preferences. However, there are a few issues I cannot compromise on: 1) I favor Pro-life 2) I believe in what GOD’s Word teaches us about right and wrong and 3) I cannot support greed (or greed’s agenda), abuse of power or disregard for the common good.
So What Can I Do? Pray, Pray, Pray
Pray – image from pixabay.com
I pray for GOD’s guidance and that GOD’s will, will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
AMEN
Use of ESV Bible verses: https://www.crossway.org/support/esv-bible-permissions/
Theoretical physicists use their GOD given minds to speculate about multiple dimensions, the segment of the universe humans can detect, multiverses and whether this current universe is just one of an infinite succession of universes.
Multiple Universes – image from pixabay.com
I believe anything humans can conceive is possible with GOD but, only in a way consistent with GOD’s characteristics. What do I mean? I do not believe GOD created an evil universe for example.
Other Being – image from pixabay.com
I do believe if GOD created other intelligent beings that GOD has provided them with guidance and maybe even Jesus and The Holy Spirit as well.
Our brains are an exquisite biological organ
image from pixabay.com
Our brains are an exquisite biological organ existing squarely in the physical reality that we are part of; the spiritual aspect of us exists in the spiritual realm. Our soul is the essence of who we are and is a bridge between here and now and a timeless spiritual realm where we as Christians expect to exist when our mortal being succumbs to death. Not ever having consciously connected to the spiritual realm I surmise it is our consciousness that traverses the gap, with out soul defining who we are (or will be then) as we enjoy Heaven. We humans are immersed in a reality of beginnings, existence and endings: we find it difficult to understand eternity in a meaningful way. I am sure when we are with The Lord all our questions will be answered . . . in the meanwhile here are some clues from The Word of GOD:
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Jesus gave a glimpse of another realm to Peter, James and John
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” …
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
Then I looked, and behold, on the expanse that was over the heads of the cherubim there appeared above them something like a sapphire, in appearance like a throne. And he said to the man clothed in linen, “Go in among the whirling wheels underneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.” And he went in before my eyes. Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the house, when the man went in, and a cloud filled the inner court. And the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub to the threshold of the house, and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the Lord. And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks. …
Other Worlds – image from pixabay.com
Use of ESV Bible verses: https://www.crossway.org/support/esv-bible-permissions/
Since no one can claim to be perfectly sinless and sin is counter productive and even worse, just a small percentage of any population inspired by pure evil can do a great deal of harm, how does the civilized world even exist?
Demon or Devil – image from pixabay.com
Furthermore, from my experience in living a long life rich in diverse experiences I suspect even the best people, families or nations are dysfunctional to some degree, again, how do many people live in relative peace and safety, have adequate shelter and at least sufficient food to survive? GOD.
Whole Earth Peace – image from pixabay.com
A fellow Christian once said to me The Holy Spirit sustains whatever level of civilized life we currently enjoy.
Humans like to say things are relative: this person is relatively good, that event seems relatively bad or despite flaws our United States of America is the best place to live in the entire world relative to a number of selected less fortunate nations. Yes I live in The U.S.A. and experienced a few other countries and I tend to agree that we have it good; more important though is our Nation’s influence upon the rest of the world. Advances in human rights, healthcare and freedoms are just some of these influences – this despite imperfection in some places of our land. So how did and continues to be the case? GOD.
Angel – image from pixabay.com
GOD’s blessings and help from GOD’s Holy Spirit
Dove – image from pixabay.com
. . . sustains a Nation that once conducted itself more in accordance with GOD’s standards than it does today. GOD is patient. GOD is forgiving. GOD is just. GOD will not tolerate a decline in the number of believers, back-slidden believers or the increase of deliberate sinning forever: note the Biblical history of the Hebrews in The Old Testament.
It may not be the end times that destroys us.
Destroy Earth – image from pixabay.com
The cycles of obedience and disobedience and the ultimate handing over of Israel and Judah to conquerors indicated GOD will not be mocked and there are consequences for sin for Nations as well as for individuals.
Bird of Peace – image from pixabay.com
It is not too late for our Nation and our people to repent undo the disobedience and give GOD a reason to continue to bless The U.S.A. instructing The Holy Spirit to hold us together still.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
AMEN
Use of ESV Bible verses: https://www.crossway.org/support/esv-bible-permissions/
It would seem that there are cases when one person or a group deceiving another person or a group is an acceptable or even good thing but, is it? Strictly by GOD’s standard it is a sin (Is it not?):
Deception is part of life – image from pixabay.com
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. . . .”
Most people interpret this verse to forbid lying. So why did a number of instances in the Bible convey a situation when a form of lying seems to produce a positive result?
So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me? Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to behave as a madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”
. . . Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. . . .
19 So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch. And they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands.20 Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!”21 Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran.
Bat Car – image from pixabay.com
The Explanation?
I could say context, purpose or justification but, the real explanation is simpler than that in my opinion: “We are living in a sinful world ruled by Satan.” In this era deception may be the only way that the righteous can out wit the schemes of the great deceiver Satan.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Birth and death of lifeforms, Nations and even stars are all easily grasped by the human mind but, what about eternity? The Bible teaches GOD always was and always will be can we really understand what that means? I cannot claim to know how to answer that; my perspective is pretty limited when one considers all of human history and all the people who have lived or, even contemplating the reality of seven billion plus humans alive right now. Perhaps some understand this concept of infinity better than others; can any temporal being envision what eternal means.
Final Stop? – image from pixabay.com
Christians gain eternal life when accepting Jesus
Eternal life sure makes us feel better than the alternative: the second and complete death after the judgement. On that basis alone people should consider Jesus’s offer if for no other reason. Can you imagine being nothing? Can you imagine the eons before you were born? I find it extremely difficult to contemplate the oblivion of nothingness I could have faced if I had died and, I had not secured eternal life by accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
Earth – image from pixabay.com
GOD Knows How We Think
Earth Ends – image from pixabay.com
GOD expresses things in terms of beginnings and endings for our benefit: Jesus was born and died for example. Yes, in GOD’s Word we read about eternal things but most of the Bible introduces us to people who were born, lived and died.
Human Life – images from pixabay.com
The process of living, in terms of beginning our lives in ignorance as a baby, acquiring knowledge and experience as we grew, and the use of free will to determine our ultimate destiny.
The Bible Reveals How We Can Gain Eternal Life Before Death
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Use of ESV Bible verses: https://www.crossway.org/support/esv-bible-permissions/
