I Dare You To Read This (or Watch This)! – He Must Increase Ministry

Which Law?

The Ceremonial, the Civil, or the Moral?

And which Law was Paul talking about?

Or consider Paul’s eleven remarkable uses of the word “law” in Romans 2:12–28. Does he mean the Old Testament, the five books of Moses, legal principles in the Old Testament, obedience to the law in hopes of meriting God’s favor, legal principles in the Greco-Roman world more broadly, or two or more of these usages depending on the verse? To understand such key words will inevitably clarify the meanings of these passages overall.[1]

[1] Blomberg, Craig L., and Jennifer F. Markley. A Handbook of New Testament Exegesis. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010. Page 124.

How does the Old Testament Laws apply to the Christian?

There are (at least) 613 laws. The are centered in the O.T.

Jesus did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it.

But there “appears” to be confusion on the subject.

The answer:

There are 3 components to the Law (like there are three components to salvation: Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification).

The Ceremonial Law

The Civil Law

The Moral Law

Jesus swallowed up all the ceremonial law. The civil law was for “nationalistic” Israel, and the moral law was INCREASED in intensity (please see the Sermon on the Mount for specific illustrations regarding the moral law).

Some quick, but important notes:

The O.T. is more nationalistic (Israel) while the N.T. is more individualistic (Kingdom within you).

The ceremonial law encompasses the outside clean stuff

The civil law, while not the same for the church, still provides spiritual insights for policy.

The moral law requires death for several offenses. That’s why only through Jesus can t be satisfied.

Shell fish is ceremonial, mold is civil, and homosexuality is moral.

The life of Christ can atone for the moral failures in the law, but only if His testimony is acknowledged and His Lordship is petitioned.

The ceremonial laws were blown out because of the hypocrisy.

The idea that an eye for eye and a tooth for a tooth sounds right, but its application is for individuals, not civil matters. Hence, the opposition to the death penalty is unfounded in the N.T. (Matthew 15:4).

Here’s a Fun Topic: Does God Love Everyone?

Well, the answer is even more fun. The answer is Yes. And the answer is No.

God loves “everyone” in the sense that He sends His rain on the just and the unjust. He loves everyone in that He gives people the opportunity to repent. He loves everyone in the context that all people are His offspring. This is called His UNIVERSAL Love.

God doesn’t love “everyone” in the sense that He has mercy on some, but not on others. He doesn’t love everyone in that He doesn’t give every person the “heart” to repent and be saved. “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” as well as hating the wicked. This is called His DISTINCTIVE Love. The fullness of this love is revealed in connection to Jesus Christ. Not everyone has Jesus Christ.

It doesn’t matter if you, or I, or other people are offended. God doesn’t care. And He owes no man, anything. If you don’t like it, I suggest you argue with Him. Let me know how it goes.

Are You A Fool?

The Bible has much to say about fools. The word fool today usually means “a senseless fellow, a dullard.” The biblical definition has the added dimension of “someone who disregards God’s Word.” The Bible lists many characteristics of such a person, often contrasting him with one who is wise. Ecclesiastes 10:2 says, “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.” A fool is one whose wayward heart turns continually toward foolishness. “Fools speak foolishness and make evil plans” (Isaiah 32:6). Proverbs 26:11 says, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.” Fools do not learn their lessons from the mistakes they make. They continue doing the same foolish things over and over again, to their own destruction (Proverbs 18:7).

The following is a partial list of some characteristics of a fool from the book of Proverbs: a fool hates knowledge (1:22), takes no pleasure in understanding (18:2), enjoys wicked schemes (Proverbs 10:23), proclaims folly (Proverbs 12:23), spurns a parent’s discipline (15:5), speaks perversity (19:1), is quick-tempered (12:16), gets himself in trouble with his proud speech (14:3), mocks at sin (14:9), is deceitful (14:8), and despises his mother (15:20). A foolish child brings grief to his or her parents (17:25; 19:13). A foolish man commits sexual immorality (6:32; 7:7–12). A foolish woman tears down her own house (14:1).

The ultimate description of a fool is one who “says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good” (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). Although fools can choose to become wise by heeding wise counsel and applying it (Proverbs 8:5; 21:11), the Bible warns against associating with fools (Proverbs 14:7). Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

There is an important distinction between the biblical definition of a fool and the word Jesus used (raca) in Matthew 5:22 when He forbade calling a Christian brother a “fool.” The term raca, spoken from a heart of contempt, implied utter worthlessness. Jesus was not saying that we cannot call the choices of another foolish. But to call someone “raca” was saying that this person was beyond the reach of God and therefore condemned forever. To say, “You fool!” to a brother or sister in that day was the equivalent of saying, “Damn you!” to someone today. We do not have the power or the right to condemn anyone to hell. That position of judgment belongs only to God. A born-again Christian cannot be “damned” because he or she has been purchased by the blood of Christ (Colossians 1:14). We can and should, however, do all we can to turn the hearts of those exhibiting foolishness toward wisdom and possibly save their lives and their eternal souls (James 5:20).[1]

[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/fool-Bible.html

Abortion Truths, with NO Reservation and NO Hesitation!

Abortion: Supporting Murder or Just a Bunch of Pigs and Dogs?

In not straying too far from War, lets look at the genocide perpetuated upon our children who are in the womb. Abortion. The arguments are fascinating to say the least. Of course, what the Bible has to say is the defining principal of this book and will be the “standard” by which the truth will be declared. However, in the minds of many people, abortion is not wrong in almost any situation and at almost any time of a pregnancy. Let’s dive in and see who benefits and who prospers when abortion is acceptable and let’s see who benefits and who prospers when abortion is condemned.

Life. All life is a gift from God. The question really comes down to “When does life begin? The question is not “When does Human life begin? And a good question would be “Why isn’t the question about when Human life begins? Because if the answer is different from one species to another or from one entity to another, then the question is slanted before the answer can ever be given. To try and separate the beginning of Human life from the beginning of Mink life is to demonstrate ahead of time that there is a specific agenda behind the distinction of the question. Not only is this self-evident but all the PETA people would be really mad at you because you are making a distinction between Humans and Minks and everybody knows that there is no difference between Humans and Minks. Ask PETA. They will tell you. In fact, they even employ Minks in their organization. But there are no Minks on their Board of Directors yet. (PETA stands for People Eating Tasty Animals).

The problem that we have here is that abortion, regardless of the moral issues and regardless of the personal freedoms issues, and regardless of who should own the rights over the baby issues (The mother because it’s her body, the father because its his deposit into the mother, the baby because it’s the baby, or a federal body because they so caring and compassionate) is a financial issue.

Do not kid yourselves. Do not lie to yourselves. Follow the money. More powerful than moral and freedom issues are who makes the money, how much is being made, and how much more can be made. If you think that this principle is unimportant, you are dumber than a fresh poo on a hot day.

Doctors, Nurses, Counselors, Insurance Companies, Clinics and any organization that receives funds from the government or funds from private donations in order to keep the mills running and the people employed is one of the primary drivers for abortion to remain the phony moralistic acceptable behavior that is today. You can’t justify something as right or approved by God by simply changing the rules of society to make the action legal if the action is immoral. It’s just a cover-up to the lie. And remember, all men (Mankind) are liars (Romans 3).

But again, Mankind’s opinion is coming from limited knowledge and is certainly not objective. Wow! That’s worth repeating again. Mankind’s opinion about Mankind is certainly not objective. Mankind will slant his or her position into his or her favor. To think otherwise is absurd. God, being higher than Man, can give the only objective, full knowledge review of Mankind. He is the only one qualified to evaluate. Unless you believe the Earth First people who believe that Mother Earth and all the animals are actually in charge. Tell that one to Bambi. Let me know what she says. Boom, boom, the hunter wins again. Once more, the idea that Mankind can, apart from God, “get it” is ridiculous.

As I was watching one of the always accurate never biased extremely humble pro God political shows, there was a scholar on who was sharing her opinion about another scholar. That’s when it dawned on me. Who determines who is and who is not a scholar? Would Jesus have been considered a scholar in His day? The Bible is clear that He was NOT educated in the normal ways of Mankind. In fact, the scholars of His day were astounded at the depth of knowledge that Jesus had at the age of twelve. The Apostles also caught the eyes of the learned when they reasoned with the temple leaders successfully even though their only training was that of being fishermen. They did, however, hang out with Jesus. Very Interesting.

In our society, we have set ourselves up to acknowledge ourselves by ourselves. Funny, the Bible says that those who judge themselves by themselves “are not wise”. So, at this point, you must be asking what this has to do with abortion? Very recently, in the last thirty years in fact, the scholars have decided that life does not begin at conception but at full term birth regarding a human life. Scholars in today’s self aggrandizement world are in disagreement with scholars and philosophers that went before them. Academia is conveniently changing its positions to coincide with political agendas that will ultimately further secular world-views.

The word conception, according to every dictionary in the world, means “the beginning”. How a person’s “beginning” is not qualified as life is a trick that only a scholar could come up with. In the first ten weeks of a pregnancy, there is a heartbeat, the formation of fingers, toes, eyes, all essential body parts and more. What exactly is the argument? Is some professor at some stupid left wing college trying to tell the rest of us that this isn’t something that is alive? Is this what Hillary is babbling about regarding coat hangers? She wants the right to snuff out this life because of the inconvenience that it will cause a woman? Are you people for real? Who will protect the heartbeat? “Oh wait”, the wise ones say, “it’s not really a life”. Then what the hell is it if it has a heartbeat? I don’t care if Einstein would have said it’s not alive. It has a fracken heartbeat. Get a fracken clue. Logic please.

But again, what doth God think? Here in lies the one opinion that won’t be wrong because He created life itself. And being the Creator of life itself qualifies Him, to the maximum, to determine when individual human life begins. Hint, hint; it’s not at the nine-month point in pregnancy. The answers, of course, are found in the Word, as are the answers for life itself. (No Virginia, it’s not about Santa Clause or how many presents you will buy in your lifetime. Even if you have millions of presents, millions of little George’s in a holding bin, on the day of your death, you wont be taking any of them with you in a suitcase.)

But before (I love doing this) we review what the Good Book has to say on the subject, lets also review the positions of death merchants like Gloria Sternum (Or Steinem, it makes no difference to me. I am not a respecter of persons. Let’s see if we can decipher the code regarding that last statement. Who said it in what book and what does it mean? Put that in your peace pipe and smoke it). Hillary Clinton, and Barbara Streisand and other people of like selfish faith. The idea that a baby can be considered a possible inconvenience to a woman’s life is at the top of the list of “that’s what’s wrong with the world today” chart. But the baboons keep screeching that everything is about a woman’s right to choose (Unless a woman chooses to have a child instead of an abortion. Then they just call her a “Breeder” like the gays and lesbians do.)

It is amazing to me that a woman’s claim that “It’s my body” entitles her to murder life without repercussions. The only reason that a woman would be willing to believe that the child in her womb with a heartbeat is not alive is in order to try and alleviate some of the guilt and conscience stricken thoughts that are racing through her system. Multiple studies show that women who have abortions have a higher cancer rate than women who don’t. They also have a higher amount of mental and social problems compared to women with honor.

Selfish. Self-satisfaction. Unfortunately, with the society structure that we have, human monsterism bleeds “it’s all about me”. Women who commit abortions are selfish wenches that deserve the disdain and shame of society. In easier words, women that support or participate in abortion on-demand (I not talking about rape cases or births that would kill the mother which represent less than two tenths of a percent compared to on-demand abortion) are scum.

Life in the womb is a gift from God. A child in the womb is the stewardship of life from God Almighty, at a minimum. To even consider disregarding that gift is reprehensible and despicable. Shame!

Now, lets look at the Good Book. We have a portion of scripture by which no Christian of Jew worth his or hers salt can deny that Human life is in the womb. The portion is found is the Psalms. Chapter 139 makes the case that abortion is murder. The Bible says the following: “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb”. In addition, the Psalm says this: “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body”.

Let’s see, …hmm…how much more evidence do we need to gain the perspective of the King of kings? Right! Good night Gracie. The program has terminated. Scoreboard. Game, set and match. Night, night, sweet prince. The whole things been a real gas but I gotta go. Late. Got Milk? Don’t forget every reference in the Bible to pregnancy has a reference to a child being inside his/her mother’s womb.

If you read what I have written, then you realize that there is no genuine room to argue. If you do not see why, then I will break it down for you. If you are reading this with a smirk that says, “God didn’t write this, King David wrote this”, then either you did not read the beginning of this book or you are just an idiot. So, just for the “idiots”, I will briefly recap who wrote the Bible. God did.

Now I will break the passage down for the rest of you. The first key can be found in the portion that says “You knit me together in my mother’s womb”. What do we think “Knit together in the womb” means? Is it referring to King David being the knitter? I think not. Does it refer to God being the knitter? Yes. Does it refer to King David as being the Knittee? Very good. So what does “Knit” mean? It means…to knit. So does it mean that God is knitting King David while King David is in the womb? Excellent. Can we conclude that King David is alive while this process is taking place? To conclude otherwise would prove moron-icity.

Lets also look at what else God has communicated to His creation regarding life in the womb. “Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body”. David is clearly acknowledging that his life, which was created by God, (We are speaking of ultimately being created by God since He is the Giver of life to Mankind, not immaculate conception as compared to what happened to the Virgin Mary) existed before the process of his body being completed. He sees himself alive as God’s miraculous power is evidenced in his body formation. If God sees us alive before the formation of our bodies, to deny that we are “alive” at this time is preposterous.

God calls Human life “alive” before the formation process is completed. Alive takes place at conception based on the time frame that God calls a Human being alive. It is before the body forms. No way around it.

The real problem stems back to the trouble found in the Garden of Eden. In the Garden, God had placed many trees, but two trees had specific distinctions. One tree was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The other tree was the tree of life. Adam and Eve were commanded to stay away from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eating from this tree would be the downfall of Humanity.

When Satan came to Eve in the garden, he enticed her to discount what God said and engage in the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

(The apple, of course, has had the bad wrap as being the fruit that Eve ate. We don’t know for sure which fruit it was but I think it was probably a tomato. It’s the only fruit that everyone stills argues about as to whether it is a fruit of a vegetable. The fruit that genders arguments would seem to be the sinful fruit. Even as I am writing this, my wife informs me that she heard on the morning television show called Regis and Kelly Live, that the Supreme Court declared that the tomato was a vegetable. I’m not sure if the Supreme Court is qualified to classify fruits and vegetables compared to making “actual” judicial decisions and rulings, but it does show me that thousands of years away from the garden, the tomato is still causing problems.)

The enticement that Satan used to pave the way to sinful humanity was simple. If Eve were to eat the fruit, she would become like God. This is the inherent sin in every human being from Adam and Eve on down. No one escapes this sin. No one. We, as individuals, believe that we are capable of being God. In addition, the tree that Adam and Eve ate the fruit from was pleasing to the eye. In simple terms, it looked good.

And these two principles are what create the majority of our disparities with God. The first sequence is that we act on things that “Look Good” to us. The sequence that piggybacks on to the “looking good” aspect is that we think that we, as individuals, should be God. (Of course, if every person is God than there is no God. Do you see how that works? Good.)

Put these two attributes together and you have: “It looks good to me that human life doesn’t begin until late into the pregnancy or not even until birth (because it’s convenient that way) and this must be right because after all…. I …am God”. People, this is a problem. The self-ish becomes insanely justified with a false godlike authority that individual people think that they have. Talk about a God complex. Look in the mirror, oh ruler of the universe. Do you really think that you are so special? Get a clue. You’re not! The child has a heart beat. Case closed.

Cultures and Opinions Change, But the Truth NEVER Changes!

15 Biblical TRUTHS Regarding: Homosexuality & Same-Sex Marriage

But always remember…There’s LOVE in my Voice!!!

There is not ONE passage in support of Same Sex Marriage or Homosexuality in the entire Bible (every rule is for a man and a woman, no exceptions)

Homosexuality >>> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Genesis 19: 1-11 (v.5)

Leviticus 18:21-23

Leviticus 20:13

Judges 19:22

1Kings 14:24

Romans 1:18-32

1 Corinthians 6:9-12

1Timothy 1:10

Jude 1:7

Same-Sex Marriage +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matthew 19: 1-8

Mark 10:6 >>>How Jesus defines marriage: Between a man and a woman

(2) 1 Corinthians 7:1-14 (V.2) >>>is regarding marriage between a man and a woman

(2) 1Timothy 3: 2-12 (V.11) >>> “women” worthy >>> (additionally, we are supposed to follow our leaders and do what they do in Godly conduct (follow their example)

Logic; for the less inclined >>> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Let’s look at the absolute inability of our world to survive if “everyone” was gay and loving it. No procreation. The end. Argue this and argue that …but if the whole world was gay, the whole world would end. Period. No argument. Period. Over and out. That’s all she wrote. Good night now. One and done. Close the store, the people aren’t coming. Game. Scoreboard. Night, night, Gracie.

It’s a stupid argument, (on purpose), but so is saying that the Bible proposes marriage in “ANY” different fashion other than between a man and a woman!

**And people who are “gay”, are not happy! Give us the word “gay” back, which means happy, and pick another one.**

BTW: How did God start the ball rolling? 1. (1) Genesis 2:24 >>> It’s Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve

PPSS >>>If your Mommy didn’t teach you, “disagreement” is NOT hate speech, NOBODY can help you…So stop whining.

Love God First…

Jesus first quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 (part of the Shema [Deut 6:4-9; 11:13-21; Num 15:38-41]) and then Leviticus 19:18. The first is from the MT; the second from the LXX (cf. Gundry, Use of OT, pp. 22-25). From the viewpoint of biblical anthropology, “heart,” “soul,” and “mind” (Mt 22:37) are not mutually exclusive but overlapping categories, together demanding our love for God to come from our whole person, our every faculty and capacity. “First and greatest” (v. 38) refers to one, not two, qualities: the “and” is explicative, i.e., this command is primary because it is the greatest. The second (v. 39) also concerns love, this time toward one’s “neighbor,” which in Leviticus 19:18 applies to a fellow Israelite or resident alien, but which. Luke 10:29-37 expands to anyone who needs our help.

How does the Old Testament Laws apply to the Christian?Here’s a Fun Topic: Does God Love Everyone?

Well, the answer is even more fun. The answer is Yes. And the answer is No.

It doesn’t matter if you, or I, or other people are offended. God doesn’t care. And He owes no man, anything. If you don’t like it, I suggest you argue with Him. Let me know how it goes.

GO FISH!

Do we believe the testimony that God gave regarding His Son, Jesus Christ? Do we believe that He died on the cross, that He was buried in the ground, and that three days later He rose from the dead? Well then, I have some bad news for us, if we believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

Fortunately, this bad news is only temporary compared to the Good News, which is eternal. But it is still, in a “we still have to go through it” sort of way, nevertheless bad. Or better stated…kind of a drag.

But we don’t need let this news discourage us. We don’t have to let this hiccup make us think that we have one foot in the box. We don’t need to let this bad news turn our minds to despair. The reality is that if we view this bad news the right way, it turns out to be eternally favorable news.

And here is the bad news (which is…ultimately good news): Someone doesn’t like us.

I’m not talking about former business partners, or estranged siblings, ex spouses, or your politically opposite neighbors. I’m talking about an enemy that is much worse. (Really!)

Revelation 12:17 says, Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

And that’s me. And that’s you.

He doesn’t like us. And if he could, he would kill us. (But he can’t)

He hates us with every fiber of his being. And he wants us to fail in everything. (But we won’t) And he wants us to give. (Sorry, we can’t)

And if he never, ever bothers us…well then, we must not be a threat to him and to his kingdom. So, if he’s bothering us, we need to take courage because he’s irritated at us. And if he never, ever bothers us…we then, maybe we should worry a little.

I want to share with you about a dream that I had when I was a young Christian. (Fret not, Bible Thumpers. This reference is by no means on the same scale as the Scriptures. Nor, it should be added, are anyone’s dreams, visions, or thoughts.)

Prior to the dream (Yes, God does communicate through dreams. For a quick reference, please review Joseph’s life, Genesis 37-41, and read Job 33:14-15), I had just finished reading the Gospels. Twice.

And none too short on pride, I decided to notify God how I had just finished reading His Gospels. Twice. And I wanted to inform the All-Knowing that He didn’t have to worry. I got it. I understood everything that He was trying to say. (Can you believe I’m still walking?)

Not short on wisdom, the Lord decided to teach me about how much deeper His understanding is than mine. And as a Biblical reference, consider what the Apostle Paul says in Romans, chapter 11, verse 33:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!

In my dream, I was in a fishing boat in the middle of the sea. I had put out my line and (Mind you, I don’t fish or know fishing) the bob thingy had the bait about 3 or 4 inches deep. Then the Lord picked me up out of the boat and let me look at the level of the bait. Then He said, “This is how deep your understanding is.” Then He plunged me miles deeper into the water. My head was spinning and hurting as I was going deeper. He spoke again. “But this is how deep My Word goes.” I remember that it was too deep for me. I woke up. And my mind was racing 100 miles per hour. I had an actual migraine for 2 days. I was exhausted. And I repented of my folly.

So, before we declare that we have “read the Bible” and we “get it”, let’s be wise enough to understand that the depth of the Author and the depth of His Word is deeper than a finite being can grasp. So, we need to keep on reading, keep on studying, and keep on learning about…Him.

Is That You?

The significance from this note is …being something that we are not, or perhaps better said, trying to be someone better than we are, is a sin in the eyes of God. This same God who made us, loves us, and died for us is insulted when we don’t realize that He has accepted us fully in Christ. He has made provisions for us to be more like Jesus, never giving up on us or letting go of us, because He is committed to us. Forever! And then (because of being cranial challenged) we walk around trying to impress other human beings thinking that there is some type of value in this. It’s all poppy cock.

Man’s approval, even our parent’s approval, means very little. It has No eternal value what so ever (Yes, I have kids). So, here’s the inescapable. It comes from Galatians, chapter five, verses one through twenty-six: (basically, the whole chapter) A) We have been set free, so stay away from thinking and living that brings bondage. B) It is only by the principle of GRACE that we are able to stand with God. (Not our goods works, good looks, or great charm.) C) Our freedom should not be abused for the sake of sinning. D) If we walk under the influence of the Holy Spirit, we will do great.

E) The old nature sinful self is at war against the righteous new Spirit birthed nature. F) Sometimes, this conflict short circuit’s our abilities to do right. It’s an ongoing conflict that can only be won through the Spirit, but it’s a real struggle. G) Identifying markers tell us which nature we are walking in. (Fruits of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit) And H) the Key is being ourselves without trying to impress each other or make each other envious.

We are what God has made us. From our point of view, we’re totally messed up, so insanely, we try to impress. From God’s point of view, we are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus (2Corinthians 5:21). We are just fine to God. Should it matter what someone else’s opinion is? Most likely …not.

Led…by the Lord!

Guidance: the act or function of guiding; leadership; direction. We all need to be guided or “led” by the Lord. The question is how does God guide us? Of course, you know that there is an answer…or I wouldn’t be writing this. But the answer is plural, not singular, because God guides us using different methods. Let’s review some of them.

God often guides us through His Word. The Bible is filled with insights and directions that are applicable to our individual situations. Hebrews 4:12 Teaches that the Word is “alive and powerful”. The Bible is fluid and current for giving us direction.

Prayer, which is the heartbeat of Christianity, is a great place to find direction. The subtle witness and leading of the Holy Spirit gives us insight to which direction to go…if we are sensitive enough to listen.

Counsel is essential for hammering out the wisdom that we lack that’s within the insight of ourselves alone. Other eyes and ears are extremely beneficial in establishing the right track. God also uses situations, circumstances, time, and a host of other outside stimulus to guide us thru life.

One of my favorites is this one: 2 Corinthians 2:12-13: “Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, 13I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So, I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia”. Here is a key: God often uses “the witness within” to direct our steps.

We need to be aware that God has given us many methods to follow His will. So, let’s be sensitive and let’s be aware! God Bless…

Blah, Blah, Blah…

Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Love God, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Love Your Neighbor, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah!

Once is not enough, so here it is again:

Twice is not enough, so here it is again:

Manipulating God and His Grace?

Last week, I was talking with a close friend of mine.

I was sharing how I have been trying to resolve an issue in my life, which has become more like a riddle in my journey. I reviewed with him all the different tactics that I’ve tried regarding my pursuits.

And that became part of the answer to my riddle.

I was trying to get God to answer me …on my terms, of course.

And that’s the problem, and the riddle, and the answer, and the solution, and the key. I’m trying to work the Lord for an answer. And I’m trying to work for the answer.

But it’s by Grace that we stand. It’s by Grace that we live. And it’s by Grace that God interacts with us. And it’s by Grace that He answers us. Ever.

Romans 5:1-2 teaches, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”

It’s not by our performances. It’s by His Grace.

My first fast, (The first one that lasted longer than lunch), the Lord shared with me that I could not merit His love.

My problem was that I was trying to earn the favor of God, but that idea was the opposite of the functionality of the power and purpose of Grace.

The best definition for Grace is “receiving something that we could never earn” (Like eternal life and God’s favor).

We should live by the Grace of God.

We should “stand” in the Grace of God. We need to remember that …it’s all by the Grace of God!

Does God Love Everyone?

https://youtu.be/EKLGZ-3WHmE

Culture’s and Opinion’s Change, But the Truth NEVER Changes!

15 Biblical TRUTHS Regarding: Homosexuality & Same-Sex Marriage

But always remember…There’s LOVE in my Voice!!!

There is not ONE passage in support of Same Sex Marriage or Homosexuality in the entire Bible (every rule is for a man and a woman, no exceptions)

Homosexuality >>> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Genesis 19: 1-11 (v.5)

Leviticus 18:21-23

Leviticus 20:13

Judges 19:22

1Kings 14:24

Romans 1:18-32

1 Corinthians 6:9-12

1Timothy 1:10

Jude 1:7

Same-Sex Marriage >>> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matthew 19: 1-8

Mark 10:6 >>>How Jesus defines marriage: Between a man and a woman

(2) 1 Corinthians 7:1-14 (V.2) >>>is regarding marriage between a man and a woman

(2) 1Timothy 3: 2-12 (V.11) >>> “women” worthy >>> (additionally, we are supposed to follow our leaders and do what they do in Godly conduct (follow their example)

Logic; for the less inclined >>> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

It’s a stupid argument, (on purpose), but so is saying that the Bible proposes marriage in “ANY” different fashion other than between a man and a woman!

**And people who are “gay”, are not happy! Give us the word “gay” back, which means happy, and pick another one.**

BTW: How did God start the ball rolling? 1. (1) Genesis 2:24 >>> It’s Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve

PPSS >>>If your Mommy didn’t teach you, “disagreement” is NOT hate speech, NOBODY can help you…So stop whining.

Beating the Blues…

Ecclesiastes 1 says: The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity

of vanities, says the Preacher; Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. [a] Or “Frustration”

(New King James Version)

Does life ever feel like this? Frustration, worthless, vanity, or who really cares? If we feel this way (or live this way), then we need to get our medicine. We need to get our “chill pill”. And where do we get our chill pill? From the Gospels (Gos-Pills), of course.

Consider that the medicine that comes from God works (For Real) and it brings healing to every situation.

Pill Number One: John 3:16 >>> For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life

Pill Number Two: Romans 8:18 >>>For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Pill Number Three: 2Corinthians 4:17 >>> For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

So, the medicinal answer, from God, through the Gospels, is… “Frustration loses its power in the face of eternity”. Period.

So, let’s take our medicine and be…better!

No charge for the office visit. And no waiting either.

Enough said.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Romans 1:16 >>> I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

The Reality:

Romans 3:23 >>> for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 6:23a >>> For the wages of sin is death

The Remedy:

Romans 6:23b >>> but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 >>> But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The Response:

Romans 10:9-10 >>> That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Romans 10:13 >>> For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The Reassurance:

John 3:16 >>> “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy…

Lord, have mercy. But first we need to understand what mercy is …and what grace is. And what’s the difference.

Grace is unmerited favor. It’s receiving something that we could never deserve. Like…eternal life.

Mercy is unmerited compassion. It’s not receiving something that we do deserve to receive. Like…judgment.

There was a man of God. He had a dream. The dream was of a giant honey pot being poured out on the masses of people. Some people loved the honey and embraced it. Some people looked at the honey in wonderment, trying to understand it. Other people were trying to push it away themselves, pushing it to the ground. The man said to God “what is this? God replied, “It’s my mercy.”

Some people love God’s mercy. Some people wonder about God’s mercy. And some people reject God’s mercy.

But His mercy is available…for all of us.

So, have mercy. Why? Because God has mercy …for us.

Let’s have mercy. On others.

And let’s have mercy. On ourselves. (There’s a thought)

Titus 3:5 says “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

O.K. Lord, we will. We will receive, give, and …have mercy!