Tag: spiritual

Toil and Work

Farmer – image from pixabay.com

Why Toil and Work is Part of Life

Miner – image from pixabay.com
Worker’s Hands – image from pixabay.com

Toil is work but work doesn’t have to be toil. When Adam and Eve were living in the Garden of eden GOD told them to care for it – probably for them it was not work but joy.

Genesis 2:15 ESV

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Soon Adam needed a helper and GOD created Eve for him.

Genesis 2:18,21,22 (ESV)

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for[a] him.”. . .

. . .  21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made[d]into a woman and brought her to the man. . . . 

Nearly everyone knows eventually Satan disguised as a serpent tempted them and the disobeyed GOD and sinned and then ejected from The Garden of Eden: one of the consequences was humans would have to earn their keep through work and toil.

 

Genesis 3:17-19 ESV

17 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;

Adam and Eve: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Adam and Eve Hide Themselves” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed January 13, 2017. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/6bee0690-2efe-0133-cbda-58d385a7b928

 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.

Sweat – image from pixabay.com

 19 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.”

Like many things in this world people can either make the most out of a situation or succumb to it by making reality harsh by magnifying the negative side:

Outside Worker – image from pixabay.com

People can chose to seek GOD’s will for them and thus discover a vocation well suited for who they are. This is a gift from GOD for an obedient and respectful life.

Proverbs 12:11 ESV 

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

Work yes, in the proper measure to provide and be productive but, not in excess in order to gain worldly treasure at your spiritual expense.

Give Thanks – image from pixabay.com

Like any aspect of this world humans can succumb to excesses: in desires, substance abuse, material gain, wealth and even live a life completely consumed by work in order to fulfill their perversion  of a balance mental condition and reality.  Yes, even a good thing like diligent work can become a negative distortion in our lives.

Psalm 127:2 ESV

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

 

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When Smart People do Foolish Things

Smart People – image from pixabay.com

There are different forms of being smart

There have been depictions of the scientist who cannot change a flat tire or cook an egg in cinema or theater.

Professor: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Kriegsbeschädigten-Fürsorge. Professor Dr. Höftmann vom Hindenburghaus in Königsberg mit einem Kriegsbeschädigten, der Messer und Gabel hält und damit bequem essen kahn.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed February 4, 2017. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47de-01c9-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

Then in a few extreme cases an individual who can tell you what the weather was like at 9 am on a day forty years ago but may need help  making everyday  choices. These are not the examples I am referring to in this article, instead, evoke things like this: what if a star quarterback threw an interception in a big game,

The Best Make Mistakes – image from pixabay.com

or a very successful investor choosing an obviously dubious product to back, or a

Invention Too: Rare Book Division, The New York Public Library. “Patent steam carriage, by Mr. Goldsworthy Gurney, of Argyle Street, London, 1826” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed February 4, 2017. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/c3f3864f-e4f4-2b9d-e040-e00a1806642b

heroic general sending the army into a winless battle.

Look Out – image from pixabay.com

Ok, these easily fit the theme yet there is a more universal aspect that applies to many more people: leaders, authorities, you or even me.

A Mistake? – image from pixabay.com
Oh No – image from pixabay.com
We all should at times know better before we make a poor choice.
Decision – image from pixabay.com

The Bible has examples and explains why, if only we would just take time to read it and digest the information.

 

 Samson and Delilah

Judges 16:15 ESV

And she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and you have not told me where your great strength lies.”

1 Kings 11:1-4 ESV

Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. He had 700 wives, princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

2 Samuel 11:1-27 ESV

In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house. And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, “I am pregnant.” …

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It All Begins with You

Wheelchair Bound – image from pixabay.com
Human Need – image from pixabay.com

Many People Criticize the Way Life Is

Are you among the people who find fault in the way we are living? In your town, State, country,  . . . even the world?  A serious impediment for positive change lies within ourselves: we can be ignorant of an issue, blinded by our preference or stubborn in not accepting evidence.  No, right now I am not going to heap on more excuses, complaints nor criticisms of what people believe or do; instead I will point out a way to circumvent points of contention by making a simple suggestion: do something positive that makes contemporary life better.

Healthcare – image from pixabay.com
Needs – image from pixabay.com

 

All of us can contribute to positive change.

Recently I watched television segments of several newscasts the ended their broadcast on a positive note; the most significant stories were about how children recognized a problem and did something to help others who were in need.

Orphans – image from pixabay.com

Collecting, donations, items to send to needy people and similar actions.  The amazing thing? These children did this completely on their own (at least when they originated the action(s)).  I felt awkward and perhaps you may have also knowing, that a child rose to an occasion when a need was identified and apparently the need was missed or ignored by adults.

Jesus said the needy will always be with us (my paraphrase).

Matthew 26:11 ESV

For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Mrs. Sophie Rudd, a widow who lives by herself on forty acres of land near Black River Falls, Wisconsin” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed January 30, 2017. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/78692a20-2289-0132-286b-58d385a7bbd0
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Crippled miner, Westmoreland, County, Pennsylvania” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed January 30, 2017. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/1c7d2be0-da36-0132-1d61-58d385a7bbd0

Long ago GOD instructed people on ways to help others:

Deuteronomy 15:11 ESV

For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Art & Architecture Collection, The New York Public Library. “Charity bazaar St. Vincent infant asylum.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed January 30, 2017. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e2-94bb-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Charity” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed January 30, 2017. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/fea64780-63d4-0133-b01b-00505686d14e

Proverbs 19:17 ESV

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Proverbs 20:11 ESV

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

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Happy New Year

Happy New Year
Happy New Year – image from pixabay.com

People celebrate the beginning of a new year and an opportunity to make adjustments in ones self: a habit, weight, procrastination and many more issues we challenge our self to change for the better.

New Start – image from pixabay.com

 

One issue we often postpone? Our spiritual condition and how, and whether, we will face eternity. The Holy Bible has a simple solution:

 

 

John 3:16 ESV 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

THIS IS THE ULTIMATE RESTART

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas 1 – image from pixabay.com

Not Just Happy Holidays From Me But, Merry Christmas.

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Isaiah 9:6 ESV 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew 1:18-25 ESV 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: …

Voices of the Prophets

Prophet of old - image from pixabay.com
Prophet of old – image from pixabay.com
The Bible is the Complete Word of GOD

 

Open Bible - image from pixabay.com
Open Bible – image from pixabay.com

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.

2 Peter 1:21 ESV

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

You may be one of GOD’s Prophets

Acts 2:17 ESV

“‘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
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.

Jesus is central - image from pixabay.com
Jesus is central – image from pixabay.com

Could You Be One Who GOD Calls?

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

There are Mysteries in the Church

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV

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. …

 

Finally, a warning . . .

Matthew 7:15 ESV

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Do you Believe in Coincidences?

Earth Moon System - image from pixabay.com
Earth Moon System – image from pixabay.com

Coincidence

  1. :  the act or condition of coinciding :  correspondence

  2. :  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
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.

Lush World - image from pixabay.com
Lush World – image from pixabay.com

The Bible Explains it all clearly:

Genesis 1:1-31 ESV

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. …

John 1:1-3 ESV 

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.

Psalm 33:6 ESV

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Abundant - image from pixabay.com
Abundant – image from pixabay.com

About Thanksgiving and Thanks Giving

Vintage Thanksgiving - image from pixabay.com
Vintage Thanksgiving – image from pixabay.com

The Kinder Gentler Holiday

 

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
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.

Excerpts from Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Philippians 4:6 ESV 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Psalm 107:1 ESV

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 136:1-26 ESV

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; …

When People Cheat we must Tax Sin

Perfect- image from pixabay.com
Perfect- image from pixabay.com
Sin- image from pixabay.com
Sin- 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
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.com
Gamble- image from pixabay.com
Moulin-rouge - image from pixabay.com
Moulin-rouge – image from pixabay.com

There Just are not Enough Christians Living in Obedience to GOD.

 

Only Human- image from pixabay.com
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
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
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.com
Washington DC – image from pixabay.com
Alcohol - image from pixabay.com
Alcohol – image from pixabay.com
Tabacco- image from pixabay.com
Tabacco- image from pixabay.com
Prostitution- image from pixabay.com
Prostitution- image from pixabay.com

 

Cannabis - image from pixabay.com
Cannabis – image from pixabay.com

Therefore,  GOD’s Revelation will be fulfilled nevertheless.

Revelation 20:11-15 ESV

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
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.

Pinical - image from pixabay.com
Pinical – image from pixabay.com

 

 

SCRIPTURE:

Genesis 3:17-19 ESV

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.”

Mark 16:15 ESV

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Luke 14:13 ESV 

But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,

 

AMEN

Use of ESV Bible verses: https://www.crossway.org/support/esv-bible-permissions/

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Center of Everything

You and the Universe - image from pixabay.com
You and the Universe – image from pixabay.com

For Each of Us Our Consciousness Is  . . .

. . . 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
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
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.com
A speck on a speck – image from pixabay.com
The Milky-way - image from pixabay.com
The 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
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:

Genesis 1:1-31 ESV

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. …

Hebrews 11:3 ESV

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Jeremiah 4:23 ESV

I looked on the earth, and behold, it was without form and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light.

Genesis 1:14 ESV

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,

John 1:3 ESV

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.