Brokenness Dec. 21

 

Today’s thought:

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”[Psalm 51: 17]

The genuine good news begins with the birth of Jesus and Calvary’s Cross. The Biblical fact offers us a decision to make ourselves totally defenseless and believe in an unseen power that stands behind the cross experience. The unseen Holy Spirit lives to create a new self in us, one that cherishes other centeredness more than self-centered endeavors.

When we truly empty ourselves from the misrepresented worldly propositions, through His Son, God offers his heavenly hand to help us up from the mud.

 

The New Journey Dec. 20

 

When the Bible in Mt.5:3 mentions to be “poor in spirit”. . .what does THAT mean?

When Jesus said this, he was actually inviting us to choose him as the center of life.

When you choose to renounce the Self, as first place decision-maker, and let Christ rest in place, an amazing truth emerges.

You become blessed. This actually means all the resources of heaven are at your disposal through Jesus the Son. We still choose how to use those resources because God still graciously allows freedom of choice.

 

Plunging ourselves Dec.16

 

What is “plunging “ mentioned in Bible Mt. 5: 13-16?

Christians are to “nose-dive” into culture like salt and light penetrates, in a tasty, good way.

Both salt and light have one main thing in common: they can be absorbed into whatever encountered.

We are to infiltrate, implant, insert Christ into every action we can because He is the REAL flavor of life.

 

Not too Popular Dec. 14

 

The Psalms seem not too popular maybe because we think of them too historically connected, like with David and all. But if you think that Jesus may have memorized these as a young boy as most Hebrew children did and said them to himself out loud in his prayer life, the Psalms have a richer meaning.

We are to ask and learn to read Psalms from desire of their human/heart felt content rather than seeking only self-centered return as prayer words.

Pay Attention Dec. 13

 

Notice the pure joy a little child responds when an adult pays her attention.

Must be similar how Jesus delights to see us. He sees through ANY faults.

 

Retrain Senses Dec. 10

 

Often:

Our eyes are driven by insight. Our hands are driven by emotion. Our hearing is driven by understanding. Our smell is influenced by the invisible. Our taste is motivated by anger or peace.

Sometimes, often, the senses mix….like the Biblical Thomas [Jo. 20: 24-25] could not believe until his hands could see.

        As Christians we need to retrain our senses.

Where do our eyes go first? Where do our hands go first? Our hearing? Our smell? Our taste?

 

The human Jesus Dec.7

 

Did Jesus have a soul? Was he THAT human?

In the beginning, Jehovah made humans in His image and gloriously planted in a human the seed Jesus, a full human to complete the plan of heaven and earth creation.

When Jesus (through David of Psalms) quotes Ps. 116: 1-5 and He probably quoted ALL the Psalms when traveling to Jerusalem at age 12 and maybe even the three hours on the Cross, indicates Jesus not only had a soul but demonstrated HE IS Soul eternal.

Jehovah Condition Dec. 6

 

Jesus maintains one condition for His benevolence: LOVE.

 

Pray for more Christ-love quality these days.

Where Is God? Dec.5

 

    Sometimes, a feeling of God’s absence IS His presence, allowing us to grow in Grace, faith, freedom and endurance. We can do all things in Christ, even when our senses are confused.

Belief Dec.3

 

 

“Choosing to believe” is a kind of belief but acting on belief makes a more serious faith.

Thoughts on Jehovah Nov. 21

A human observation seems that in order for Jehovah to become human, entering His own creation as Jesus, He needed to use some form of freedom to serve, rather than the “might makes right” approach of the Old Testament. The strategy seems to change.

“Freedom to choose” was a downfall in Genesis story of Eden.

Freedom to choose is salvation “up fall” in the New Testament.

        Just some of God’s ways not our logic.

A Wonderful Thought Nov. 16

 

 

Praying to Jehovah God revives our memories.

 

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth”, PSALM 124: 8, (ESV)

My 50yrs discovery: Nov. 15

 

PSALM 103: 2,” Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all

His benefits” (NKJV).

“Forget not all the good he has done.” (NIV)

“doesn’t forget a single blessing” ( Modern trans. Message)

Language scholars say the word g’mul (the word benefit) in Hebrew is often used with behavior words and means ‘it’s a done deal’ God may still have progress happening but has finished those benefits for the believer.

True salvation is not some religious commodity to be advertised,  long-windedly displayed, or presented as a way by actions to purchase through behavior ideas.

True salvation, with benefits, is completed [ a done deal] a Christ-centered process in which a real person Jesus/God processed and joins us as a partner for whatever life throws at us.

The invisible Jesus-Holy Spirit energy moves through us like a well-stocked savings account of character growth.

Slow down! Breeeeethe in the blessings.

Comfort Nov. 14

 

  

For the believer:

The human imagination is wonderful.

And too. Not anything imagined by a person is overlooked by God. All the main elements are covered. The word “there” is earth bound.

“If I ascend into heaven, you are there” [air]

“If I make my bed in Sheol (hell fire), you are there” [fire]

“If I take wings of the morning and dwell in the utmost parts of the sea, even there ...” [water]  Psalm 139: 8-9.

God has us covered.

Think about it Nov. 12

 

God’s word, scripture, embraces ALL things in relationship to the human soul and earth itself.

God has shared himself in Jesus and couched all issues in the physical, laced with the spirit world.

Prayer joins with Him as it raises our consciousness into the larger spirit world and is joined by Christ in person. This cooperation makes us a family, always cared for and embraced, even when we do not feel our involvement.

 

A Difference in gods Nov. 9

 

It appears no other god will willingly accept a wound.

Only Jesus will.

 

One Reward Nov.7

The Matthew chapter 5 verse 3 promises an amazing condition for those who turn the self over to Christ.

We find a great reward and act of graciousness when the scripture says, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Here is what’s so amazing. We do not just belong to heaven. . .heaven belongs to us along with the Almighty!

 

 

A Thought Nov.6

 

Deliver your love with the wisdom of Jesus.

To Be Poor Nov.5

 

Does one truth of scripture ask us to be poor?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit…” [Mt. 5: 3]

To define “poor” in America becomes a real challenge since we have a very strong middle class economically. The Bible days seem to have mostly rich and poor. Many more just struggled to make the basics, like food and good water, through the day. Maybe so today?

However, Jesus used the word poor and people’s ears perked up. . .but then He added “in spirit.”

Being poor in spirit means a condition of surrendering the survival-self

to something or someone greater than survival. Some think that is family or money or some tangible. Not so.

Jesus meant to surrender a false self for the truer self that is found and established in submitting all to Christ.

 

Delema of the Cross Nov.4

 

A thought about the Cross of Jesus.

 

He endured the pain of the Cross as NO RELIEF so we could ultimately have relief.

Confusing but Real Nov.1

 

We do not always understand, can mostly accept by faith in God’s Grace, that He somehow inverts his authority by his essence of love. His merciful love through the humiliation of His Son on the Cross keeps on inventing history as if humans are in charge.

        Yet, we are not!

A Thought Oct.28

 

Only those embraced by a true love

can actually be commanded by love.

Mountain Sermon Oct.25

 

 

What is so special about the Sermon on the Mount? Is it just another set of rules? [Which we sure don’t need] Was Jesus implying that if we would just DO these rules, we’d be ok? Well, maybe.

One interpretation of the word “blessed” in Mt. 5 is the expression spiritually prosperous. It does not mean prosperity in the sense of money. There is a subtle result weaving all through the Beatitudes. The meaning is missed if a reader hurries through these like reading rules.

The penetrating meaning of Mt. 5 is that every one of the listed blesseds, ideas of spiritually prosperous are self-generating life issues. They act like the life-growth wonder of a newborn child. The unseen growth force just needs to be fed and nurtured like a child.

Pray anyway Oct.24

 

 

When the scripture says, “. . .pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances. . .” [1 Thess. 5:16] it continues by saying this is the will of God.

Another version says we should pray all the time, be thankful no matter what.

Yes, this is hard, but one simple way is to just rise every day and throughout the day say, “Thank you Jesus.” He will know all the other stuff you mean.

God does not have to have a LONG string of words to know what you mean. Sometimes even a GROAN to God will do.

Just make sure the groan is to God, not to your doctor, some family member, your pharmacist.

 

Doubt prayer? Oct.23

 

 

We wonder about prayer that doesn’t get answered like we thought.

Biblical saints , like the Apostle Paul, who prayed to get rid of a thorn in the flesh [2Cor. 12:7-8], which we assume was some unwanted condition, did not get his prayer answered.

Even Jesus, in Gethsemane, moaned “let this cup pass from me” and had to endure.

God’s strategy seems to be a design for submission, rather than might makes right.

While we may not understand,  maybe submission becomes more important than any thorn in the flesh.

God and hate Oct. 22

 

 

God can not only handle your hurt, but he can also handle your hate.

In life’s routine, even if you pray your hate, pray badly like Psalms. 137:1, that is better than no prayer.

A canoe in water without someone to paddle goes nowhere significantly. Without paddle-direction, we just float around anywhere.

We must pray as we are and not only as we think we ought to be. We are more ourselves when we admit all of ourselves to Christ.

He knows all anyway.

 

What intelligence?                                                Oct.21

 

Everyone is worried about AI, artificial intelligence and the algorithms available.

Hey, Christians,. . .ever wonder how the scripture says God can count the very hairs of our heads? How he is omnipresent? How He knows everything?

Well, think about this. God may have his own kind of algorithms [ RI, real intelligence] that cover everything.

Keep the faith.

 

Time Oct 18

 

What happening or event can identify that moment when our time [linear, meaning it begins and ends] intersects with God’s time which is eternal and without end?

The best we know are those fleeting moments- - - a needed smile, an act of generosity, a prayer, a love offering, a broken heart.

Jehovah God feels them all.

 

How are we? Oct. 17

 

 

Sometimes we don’t see things as they really are.

We see them as we are.

 

Emotional Pain Oct.16

 

Hurtful communication weakens us. It hurts like guilt or shame.

Thanks to God. . .forgiveness can redefine perception.

Where Do You Look? Oct.15

It appears the Psalmist still speaks to some. So much Christian depression may be the person is listening too much to the self-talk instead of talking the right things to the self. [Ps. 42:11]

Rather, we should say, “I look up to the sky and what do I see: The Creator looking back at me.” [Ps.121: 1-3; Ps. 119: 105]

 

Why Christian? Oct.14

 

One significant strength in the Christian way. . . we can really depend on the grace given by the heavenly Father through Christ. Grace covers ALL the ungracious thoughts and actions.

Maybe a great tragedy in life is NOT what appears unanswered prayer, but prayer never prayed.

“Lord, I trust in your Grace when my gut response is ungracious thought or action.”

Language Use Oct.11

  

It appears today that the way we talk to each other can be defined by three ideas.

1)   We get communication through information.

2)   We get language thrown at us for motivation.

3)   We maintain personal and more intimate talk to each other.

Of course, these get combined but if in a relationship, the first two only happen, you have people trying to change each other. More heart sharing needs to happen, more intimate and trusting language is needed for better relations.

Most children still have the third emphasis. They speak only personal, trusting, accepting language.

Maybe that’s why scripture says we should become more like little children sometimes in dealing with each other and God.

What means Blessed? Oct.7

 

 

The hope of being blessed [like in Mt. 5:3-10] can work a change in us that actually enables our capacity to be blessed.

 

Fixed Religion Oct. 3

A religion that is tempting thrives on a contract principle, a quid-pro-quo, “ God if you will do X, I will do Y”. Sometimes it is subtle as we think scripture tells one thing and we think another.

For instance, we tend to interpret that God will heal everyone or that He will stop all wars. Our experience shows otherwise. We need to believe that God actually does do what’s best for the whole world, even when we do not understand.

We need to follow His Covenant. True Christian commitment follows God’s Grace agreement not a contract that can be broken.

What meek? Oct.2

WHAT. . . YOU’RE WRONG!!

When the scripture says, “Blessed are the meek…” from Mt.5:5 sometimes our attitude has to let the other Christian person be wrong or even great and to learn to love them into accuracy rather than correct them.

God’s full acceptance may mean to learn to love persons when they are inaccurate. The real challenge is to help them feel accepted in a relationship and the accuracies can be dealt with later when a caring attitude carries them along with the heart of your relationship.

 

Meanings Sept. 30

We over-use, knowing words but fear silence. We do not respect another’s space. We enjoy the intellect of words but miss their unsaid meanings.

Yet words are life couched in imagination.

We imagine God. He creates solid stuff.

The word of God embraces our solid stuff.

He speaks, it happens.

We speak and hope.

 

Pain Sept. 28

 

Just a reminder: God’s word is not so much a weapon as an energy of surprising love. It remains an absorbing and penetrating Grace. And so, God’s Grace can join our deepest emotion more than the pain of our physical condition. How you wonder?

When we practice the presence of Christ and let the Holy Spirit help us rise above, concentrate, and trust in God more than we float with the drama of our pain-feeling, some respite can happen. Moving our mind away from the physical helps our endurance. And endurance will help grow a kind of character that in Christ will find joy even in suffering.

We wait, we participate in God’s Grace, we endure.

What is worship? Sept.27

 

Correct and accurate worship is keeping an alert intellect embraced by the Holy Spirit.

“If God does not build the house, we only build shacks.”[Ps.127]

Frustrated Prayer Sept.21

 

Ok, you pray, pray, and pray and nothing seems to happen. Is God mad at you? Are you SO disgusting? Is He off away somewhere?

Countless books have been written about prayer and why God does or doesn’t answer the way you thought.

Scriptures indicate God is for us, even a guardian [like Ps. 121:7- 8]. So, what is going on??

Based on the many readings, ideas and opinions. . . I still have no definite answer. Pain is still there.

Maybe that is what faith means, trusting in a true God who really is in control. That means He is coordinating everything, including what appears with unanswered prayer.

Sometimes we have to pray: Forgive us for that part of us that still wants to be in control. Then TRUST.

Secret Revealed for Service Sept.19

Christians wonder, “What am I supposed to do during the week? Who am I supposed to be? How do I fit in this crazy, busy culture?”

 No help seems to come with the wording in the King James Bible[ “…present your bodies as a living sacrifice…”]. What IS the scripture trying to tell us?

Apostle Paul is saying in Romans 12: 1-2 that the best behavior we can do anytime involves our actually, throughout the day, with all the mundane or exciting things we do, eating, praying, working, playing, sleeping  we should place them before God first as an actual offering.

In other words, every time we can think about anything that leads to behavior, maintain the attitude and say, “Unto the Lord!”

 

 

Spending Time? Sept.17

 

Time may be the only thing we really own. Make it worthwhile.

Every mundane task you do, washing things, painting things, working things, just say “unto the Lord” as you do them. [ Cor. 10:31] Then you can consider they are becoming some kind of beauty for God. Creating or recreating beauty for God in something can be a prayer given, a blessing displayed.

Why? because God can make the connections for others that we do not see to grow his kingdom. The connection, the beauty may even happen AFTER you are gone.

There have been famous thoughts and writings come from a person who was cleaning a toilet.

Has God Forgotten? Sept.16

 

Sometimes we have to remember that the God, Christ, and Holy Spirit of the New Testament are the same in the Old Testament.

We need reminding, that this same Jehovah, who made everything from Genesis on, is the same today. He still guards us from evil which means evil can never separate us from him. [Ps. 121]

Never think that God is TOO busy elsewhere and has decided you are not important enough, so He goes off somewhere else to operate and forgets you. He still has and will complete his purposes for you.

 

An Amazing Fact Sept.14

There is evidence that as believers, we share in the Trinity. 

Jesus said….”I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me…. that they may all be one just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us…. “ [ John 17: 20]

Is God Reluctant? Sept. 13

We use the word “reluctant” to apply to God about our prayers, that God seems reluctant to answer. Other scholars suggest God is just reluctant to intervene in history.

The word reluctant [ according to the Thesaurus Dictionary] means afraid, cautious, hesitant, slow, tardy, uncertain and other such words.

I’m not sure an All-knowing, ever-present Jehovah is ever reluctant. He may have US wait because He has connections being made beyond our thinking, but He is never tardy/afraid/hesitant or slow.

We, of course, are all those things.

  

Sure-fire Prayer Method Sept. 12

 

Since it appears that true Christians actually do pray in many different ways, there is a simple secret to  prayer-success.

As your specific day progresses, for your individual food, work, or play…... PRAY about everything, no exceptions, bad, mundane or good, everything. Often, we don’t think God wants to be reminded about the bad stuff we do. But He does! Talking to God all the time places our consciousness more in the spiritual realm, and energy from there, lifts up our physical involvements.

Some Confusion Sept 9

 

There seems to be confusion about the scripture John 15: 7, “If you abide in me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” [NKJV].

Christians think, “Well  I think I’m living the Christ life, why am I not seeing all my prayers answered? The Gospel of John says they will!”

First, “If you abide” really means live continually, like Jesus mentions earlier in that scripture, He is the Vine, and we are the branches.

Branches STAY ATTACHED to the vine [ the trunk] in order to live and branches need time and the right nourishment to thrive. The Vine gives the life, coming from the root [heavenly Father].

Second, “My words abide in you” also means the continual streaming and embracing of God’s word in daily life.

So being God’s word, living God’s word, nourished by God’s word…then Jesus can act decisively.

More on Prayer Sept.6

Unfortunately, too many Christians think that the ritual saying of a prayer either works some kind of magic for only a few OR the people remain expedient and say something like “ I don’t know if God will answer, but He’s big enough to take care of it.” Then they stop praying.

All the while, Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Why did the Son of God pray continually, sometimes days and days? Although a physical being, He stayed in contact with His Father in a spiritual dimension, held in place by the Holy Spirit. He remained in conversation with the Father. He has given us that ability to enter a spiritual realm that has all the healing power of heaven.

Move your consciousness beyond the present and Ask {have an unrushed, quite conversation with Christ} and you WILL receive.

Prayer Explained Sept. 5

 

Of course there are many definitions of prayer, but what actually happens with the human mind.

Raising your conscious attention above and even beyond the limitation of some physical situation, placing that attention upon Christ’s partnership, establishes a prayer connection. When we truly connect to God, The Holy Spirit can unleash and set in motion the divine will that is always best for us. We may not always understand the outcome, yet, sometimes we do, but the connection helps mold our Christian Walk for now.

I pray with the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1: 16…”that the eyes of your understanding be enlightened….”

God Freedom Sept. 4

Scripture shows examples and gives evidence of a person’s freedom being robbed, like a mysterious demon possessed person.

And yet, God’s Holy Spirit is somehow large enough and small enough to enter a human being and respect that person’s decisions to make personal choices. This can happen because Jesus embodied the full human and the full God in a surprising harmony that we can now trust by faith.

The perfect Son of God is now in full charge. [Mt.28:18]--- NOT any of the evil forces.

Who Keeps Score? September 2

Does God somehow keep score, like at a football game? This would be when someone wins, and someone loses.

When you slow down and think about Psalm 130, especially verse 3, if God was in the score-keeping business, NO ONE would win. Besides, God does not think of believers as winning or losing.

Yes, we fail, but in Christ, we all win.

Communion BEFORE Action Aug.31

 

I try very hard to meditate upon every word I print. Please take time to think on, meditate, commune with the Holy Spirit Psalm 130: 1-2.

I realize God can work any order He has designed.

But I’m feeling more and more that He wants communion-recognition, open heart, giving the Holy Spirit permission to make any connections we need. They may seem pleasant or uncomfortable but remember He is in control. We should stop our time-infested activity long enough to submit to His will, even as we plead “I cry out of the depths.”

Then behavior can follow that pleases Him.

 

A Perspective Aug.30

 

As believers, if we are not careful, any given day, when health is good, money is good, time seems in our favor, we start to think, feel, and live like we are ok because we are in charge now. We got this!

And so, we let a day or more pass and we forget to pray, forget who we really need to depend on.

This may be one reason we need a genuine prayer time every day.

Stay simple: Read or say the Lord’s Prayer, then read Psalm 127:1, then talk to God with your own words as if he sits right next to you.

Let’s not be people who when we are well ,things are good, we think we are in charge. When we are sick, with no relief, we know we are not.

 

Actual Scripture Aug.29

 

Since scriptures are actually words of Jehovah,

We can learn to:

Taste the words (Flavor)

Feel the words (Emotions, joy-hurt-calm)

See the words ( Insight, light, knowledge)

Hear the words (Harmony, acceptance, peace)

Smell the words ( Prayer, Aroma, life-breath)

A Personal Prayer Aug.28

 

 

I admit

Lord, I have regretful times of powerlessness with some living issues. Often, I cannot or will not manage the courage or strength necessary to meet my spiritual and moral challenges. Help me know and remember you are here. I surrender my unsurrendered self.

About the Bible Aug.27

  

Scripture contains real [historical] stories that grab us and moves us outside of ourselves to show us and teach us what Jehovah God is doing to remake His creation. The words shake us awake to an all-powerful heavenly Father who somehow submitted His Son in submission to pay for the mistakes and sin we all have. We call this Grace, a heavenly power to help us go beyond our givens.

We read words that stab us and comfort us because they show our involvement in what God is doing. Besides the help of the Holy Spirit engaging us daily, what else can we do but thank Him every second when we even just see a flower, a baby, a new morning.

Thank you Lord for the truth of your Grace.

Pain in this world Aug. 26

What about all the aches, pain or hurt in the living of this world?

What about those that misuse you, family that lets you down, misunderstood goals or achievements gone wrong?

Of course, any discomfort needs healing ointment, the relief, the hope of something better.

Scars do happen, but that means they are healed. Scars on skin can be even tougher than the original. Scars of spirit can heal as well.

Our wounds can be an access to God because the love of Jesus absorbs the wounds. Say, Ouch God! Then we move on.

 

Solving Problems? Aug.24

 

From one observation, as slow or as fast, it seems God uses his created different parts, especially persons, to accomplish his plan for the universe.

So, prayer does matter when you seek and hit upon his plan. And since God is timeless, it’s ok to pray about the past, present, or future. Just talk to God about the stream of life.

“Lord, help us understand the past, nurture the present, and trust you with the future.”

Does God hide? Aug.23

 

Why does God allow such hurt in the world? Stuff like wars, destructive weather, disease, broken people seem all around us. He is God after all. Why not fix things?

The mystery of faith is He somehow allows our free wills to coexist, comingle with His all-powerful, omnipresent being. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. [Revelation 22: 12-14]. The tough part is we live in the in-between challenges.

The Connections Aug. 20

 

Each day, THINK about and connect the physical-material information of scripture---the heard, seen, touch of Jesus. Hug it with the spiritual---the faith, hope, forgiveness, and Grace. God gave us imagination to maintain his covenant and even seek the mystery of His amazing existence.

Seek and you WILL find!

What is a covenant? Aug.19

 

In the Bible, a covenant is like being a part of a family. As part of a family, good-bad-or indifferent, death ends a family covenant. 

Some families try to make their children into contracts, lives based on behavior only. Some churches try to make their congregations live mostly by contract behavior, “thou shalt and shalt not” emphasis. A covenant relationship with God means you are in a family based on love and forgiveness, not JUST behavior.

And although your life also ends in a death, God’s covenant promises through the physical death you can receive a new life with Him and the eternal family.

All those who will come to Him will NOT be thrown out.

 

Ever Free from Sin? Aug.17

 

Of course, it appears we are never totally free from our mistakes and sin. But with the scripture trying to liberate us [2Cor. 5-14 and 6:2] allows us to live Christlike(maybe not all the time), but if obedient to God’s word, we can be a witness more often than not. If we become good at it, which means be true to God’s covenant with us, then everyday can praise the Lord.

Understanding Book Revelation Aug.14

 

The inspired writer is John.

He is a pastor: He embraces all communities who live by Grace of Faith in Christ.

He is a theologian: His entire mind and being is saturated with Theo-logos, God’s word.

He is actually a poet: Through imagination, he shows us all other experiences of earlier scripture. He does not just give information. He draws us in to feel and experience his observations.

A significant scripture Aug.12

 

The prayers of people actually work to create history as well as history tends to create prayer. Revelation 8 on.

LEGOS Aug.10, 2024

 

My great grandson and I were going to play with Legos. I started making a building design. He grabbed some and said, “ Can I help?”

We made a building together, not quite as shapely as I would like, if I’d done it by myself.

Maybe this experience is a little like us with God in prayer.

We often ask God if we can help, and he lets us. He would have “built” better himself---by himself---but He let’s us join so we benefit from the sharing. He becomes a part of us, and we become a part of him.

Perplexing book of Revelation Aug. 9, 2024

 

Many believers are confused about the book of Revelation in scripture. All the crippled churches, angels, scrolls, what appear as monsters, all the crowds, thrones, speakers. All can get confusing.

But one thing is clear about the whole book.

In Rev. 1: 10, the writer John says, “he was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” Also In chapter 22 verse 9 [a word close to the last of the book] reminds John, “Worship God.” So, from beginning to end, it appears the whole book makes an important point.

We are not to worship angels, mysterious unknown creatures, or writers of scripture. We are to worship Jehovah God.

We are not supposed to be God with our imaginations.

Give the Lord our freedom to BE God. Worship Him.

 

Simple message of scripture Aug.2

 

Receive, Obey, Sustain, Share.

Receive like Wind.

Obey like Earth.

Sustain like water.

Share like Fire.

What do we want? Aug.1

We find ourselves in a culture that offers so many things, technology, pleasure, opportunities to acquire more of anything available.

But even as believers in an afterlife, what do we really need and want?

We have a desire, whether secretly or openly, for more personal intimacy and transparent honesty. We want and need a personal God, personal friends, loving family, and honest worship.

We long for what is real, what is honest, what and who can be trusted to help us along this journey of life.

    We know there is one who wants the best of what we want. He is one who helps us search for the right things, to be open to the possibilities of going beyond any negative, present circumstances. He does this because his essential self is love…. A love that promotes the right intimacy and transcends our mistakes and flaws. Holy Spirit Jesus is his name.

Words July 29

 

Sure. . .words are important. But what about God’s words? The amazing point of scripture is that many, maybe even all, of God’s written verbs are written mostly in what is called the imperative tense.

God is not just giving information, explanation, or something to gossip about, He speaks action—“Let there be light, be still, get up and go,--words given to create the kind of behavior that joins His plan and glorious Will that directs humanity toward a better life.

“In the beginning God created…” We need to LISTEN MORE.

Freedom to Say No July 26

 

Up until Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, they lived only by a YES motivation. When they sinned, NO came into being. God allowed this to happen so that humanity has a choice. God allowed the NO so we could say a Yes to Him based on choice and not some bullying force.

This is part of the reasoning of Mark 8:34, “…If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Jesus gave us the occasion to say NO, so we can learn and choose to say NO to our Self rule and to willingly say YES to him.

Object Recognition July 23

 

Two- to three-year-old children have to learn the difference when they see an item, then when they don’t, does it exist?

Christians enter the same position with faith and most faith comes by words.

Even with all the modern visual opportunities, words are still the MAJOR tools for living.

The Holy Spirit inspired scripture words. 2 Tim. 3:16.

 

What does true love do? July 14

 

True love experiences and absorbs an alternative replacement for pain and pleasure. Jesus on the Cross is a prime example. We have to learn to love enough.

Changing History July 11

 

Since Jesus implanted himself in human history with a resurrection principle, physical time changed. The change reverses the life and death principles. Death used to be in charge, now life rules. Satan used to be in charge, now Jesus is.

The change pivots on the idea of who is now in charge of this world. Death and bad things still happen in this time frame, but they are NOT the king anymore. Jesus is. While we still do not understand it all, we do have to increase the faith God gives us [ with Holy Spirit guide] to go beyond present, negative circumstances.

Still, we know death is not the end.

Who was Jesus really? July 10

 

Well yes, he is the son of God, part of the Trinity, Creator, Savior, but is he more? You think: “Well, Isn’t that enough?”  Maybe.

But what about the actual, physical, historical Jesus. Some just leave him as part history, a Civil War leader, like Robert E. Lee. And he was and is remembered like that but there is more.

Jehovah God, becoming man Jesus, placed physically on the earth he created, started a new way of thinking, indeed, a new transformation of linear time, of history itself.

All people, events, stories, things physical live awhile then die.

Jesus came to show who is really in charge. He was born, lived, dies, but rose from death to transform living history.

What does this mean for us?

[more next]

Things to Remember July 9

 

 

Jehovah’s graciousness has given us divine power [2Peter 1:3].

Under Christ, all Christians can remove hostility [Ephesians 1:14].

Right where we live, we can make this world a better place.[Gal.6:10]

 

Image Reflection July 8

 

Some Christians believe Genesis 1 and 2 are mostly stories and symbolic teachings about Jehovah God. Well, ok, but I believe they are literal pictures about who God is as well.

So, God made man and woman in His image. So, what is that? What is His purpose? Does He need to populate heaven?

He made the earth from the void, animals and people to inhabit the earth. Adam and Eve were to tend the Garden of Eden. They messed up. We are to take care of the earth also. We are messing up.

Being made in His image means we have the potential and opportunity to take care of creation much better than we are doing. The mess up is forgiven by a Gracious God through His Son Jesus. But, we just need to do a better job as stewards of Jehovah.