Marriage and Commitment

On the subject of Marriage and commitment, as it specifically relates to God's law;


       I see more and more each day, a movement that embraces anything that attempts to negate, denounce, or neutralize God's authority.  Christianity is under fire more now than ever before due to influences within and without.  As with any ideology, mantra, philosophy, or religion, there is and will always be those participants (real-but misguided/ mistaken or those that are false), whose very actions or statements bring derision upon the group in its entirety.  The very misguided or wrongful actions and statements of a few are used as weapons and justifications for those who chose not to embrace God or His son, Yeshua (Jesus, Joshua). 
      
       The opponents of God and Christianity, call themselves all sorts of names.  Regardless of whether they are trying to justify their own choices, or discredit the beliefs of true Christians, the opponents of God find the same misguided actions of a few to be effective and useful weapons to utilize in their  declared or undeclared war against God and Christianity.   Moreover, if retaliated against with the same methods, by Christians, (utilizing a few examples to generalize the many,) one has to or would be sure to recognize that these opponents of God would scream about how unfair it is to argue using generalizations.

       As for those who call themselves Atheists, they must surely claim to not believe in the devil.  Since they denounce God as real, then it stands to reason that they would not recognize an other worldly enemy of God, as well.  For, if they were to recognize Satan, then they would have to take the next logical step and admit that God exists as well.  This action would demand that they make a choice other than what they had previously made.  They might proclaim that they have never had any personal influence from the devil.  They would most certainly be correct, as far as they know.  However, as far as Satan is concerned, the Atheists are really no concern to him.  He has already won that battle, and therefore must concentrate his efforts in other more "necessary" directions.

         The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians, (paraphrasing) that the war for our souls was one of a Spiritual nature.  There are forces at work that are beyond our ability to see, yet they continue to fight over our dominion.  We saw how sly the devil was in the garden of Eden.  He convinced Eve that she could be like God, if only she ate of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  She listened.  She acted.  Then, she influenced Adam to follow her.  Her actions were in direct opposition to God, with the devil whispering in her ear.  She wanted to be God.  She wanted to have the final say in what she could do, when she could do it, and with whom she could do it with, without judgment.

       When I see people write about, or hear them talk about, things like marriage being old fashioned, or generalizing Christians as (I paraphrase to keep this tome short) "moral idiots."  I am quick to remind myself that this fast paced world of "Have it your way", was not brought upon us by mere convenience.  Yes, convenience is another "catch word" that is significant, in a very sly, scheming way, to the anti-God movement, whether that movement realizes it or not.  Convenience isn't just the store on the corner... although it falls lockstep into the ideology of "Have it your way" as well.  We expect our food handed to us through a drive through window in seconds, the light at the intersection to turn the moment just before we arrive there, the lines in the stores to be empty the moment we go to make our purchases, and the preachers in the pulpit to pat us on the head and say, "Go on ahead  and keep doing the things that you are doing, even though we used to call it sin, because It's okay, because we are not to judge, nor should God!"  The reprobates of this world want to justify their sinful nature and be allowed to do anything they want, with anybody they want, at any time they want, in any place that they want.

       The anti-God movement wants, not to be judged, but rather to be accepted, to be considered normal.  Am I correct?  They want to go on, regardless of what they are doing, unencumbered by any semblance of  a moral compass.  In fact, they want their compasses to be amoral.  They want to be regarded as normal, despite how abnormal their behavior is or how totally against the laws of nature their actions are, and certainly beyond question, no matter how much of an affront to God's law their actions have become.

        The marriage contract is more than a piece of paper.   Even so, the piece of paper makes it completely legal.  It is more than a willfulness of two hearts that want to cohabitate.  It is a contract, that states that by the laws of man I will honor the woman I have chosen to marry, as I obey those laws.  It is my vows taken upon the altar before God and witnesses, that states that by the laws of God I will honor my wife in this marriage, as I obey God, as I am a man marrying a woman.  There is no substitute for that.  Anything else, and you can walk away from your relationship because you simply choose to "Have it your way!"  Anything else is simply a matter of convenience.  Anything else allows for all sorts of behavior to be viewed as normal, and unaccountable.  Anything else is contrary to the laws of God.  The truth is, we should flee from "anything else."  We are accountable to man's laws, and even more so, we are accountable by God's laws.  If it were not for the grace given through the sacrifice of the blood of Yeshua (Jesus, Joshua), we would never be able to make things right in the eyes of God.  We should surrender our souls to Yeshua(Jesus, Joshua).  We should pray for forgiveness and ask for an anointing of the Holy Spirit.  We should embrace the one true all powerful, all knowing, omniscient God.  We should follow his son, Yeshua(Jesus, Joshua), as we are commanded in the bible.

        I challenge you to make the decision to either choose to serve and honor God once and for all, repenting of your sins, or to turn away from Him, completely. 

  The choice is yours.

Genesis 1

Bible Text courtesy of biblegateway.com .

Genesis 1New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Creation

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² The earth was ^[a]formless and void, and darkness was over the ^[b]surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was ^[c]moving over the ^[d]surface of the waters. ³ Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

⁶ Then God said, “Let there be ^[e]an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” ⁷ God made the ^[f]expanse, and separated the waters which were below the ^[g]expanse from the waters which were above the ^[h]expanse; and it was so. ⁸ God called the ^[i]expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.
⁹ Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. ¹⁰ God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good. ¹¹ Then God said, “Let the earth sprout ^[j]vegetation, ^[k]plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after ^[l]their kind ^[m]with seed in them”; and it was so. ¹² The earth brought forth ^[n]vegetation, ^[o]plants yielding seed after ^[p]their kind, and trees bearing fruit ^[q]with seed in them, after ^[r]their kind; and God saw that it was good. ¹³ There was evening and there was morning, a third day.
¹⁴ Then God said, “Let there be ^[s]lights in the ^[t]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; ¹⁵ and let them be for ^[u]lights in the ^[v]expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. ¹⁶ God made the two ^[w]great lights, the greater ^[x]light ^[y]to govern the day, and the lesser ^[z]light ^[aa]to govern the night; He made the stars also. ¹⁷ God placed them in the ^[ab]expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, ¹⁸ and ^[ac]to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. ¹⁹ There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.
²⁰ Then God said, “Let the waters ^[ad]teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth ^[ae]in the open ^[af]expanse of the heavens.” ²¹ God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good. ²² God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” ²³ There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.
²⁴ Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after ^[ag]their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after ^[ah]their kind”; and it was so. ²⁵ God made the beasts of the earth after ^[ai]their kind, and the cattle after ^[aj]their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.
²⁶ Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the ^[ak]sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” ²⁷ God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ²⁸ God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the ^[al]sky and over every living thing that ^[am]moves on the earth.” ²⁹ Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the ^[an]surface of all the earth, and every tree ^[ao]which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; ³⁰ and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the ^[ap]sky and to every thing that ^[aq]moves on the earth ^[ar]which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. ³¹ God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Greetings!

Many times I have read this passage.  I cannot count how many times I have read a particular set of scriptures in the bible, and yet have something I never noticed before pop right out at me.  This is no different.

In 6 days, God created the heavens and the earth, and seeded the earth with fruit bearing trees and green plants to feed the animals of the earth.  He also created man and woman, commanding them to multiple over the whole earth. 

 

What I find interesting is that it is not until Genesis 2, that we are introduced to Adam and Eve, and the Garden of Eden. 

SO, I ponder... did God populate the entire earth with plants, animals, and mankind prior to creating Adam, Eve, and the Garden of Eden?

Something to think about...

Have a blessed day!

Beware of false teachers!

*******UPDATED 1/7/16*******

Greetings All!

Consider the following:


NIV

Psalm 40:4

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

Isaiah 1:16-17

Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

2 Peter 2

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. ...

1 Thessalonians 5

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.
²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

The above is courtesy of https://www.biblegateway.com/

I wanted to start of this message with a few words from the Holy Bible.  This hardly is enough. 

My heart is heavy with concern for a minister of God's word whom I  have never met.  I have had the privilege to hear him speak on the radio via the internet.  More often than not, after listening to him, I find myself considering carefully what was conveyed and go to God in prayer.  Nothing he has spoken of has given me pause to doubt that he truly believes what he is imparting.  It is my belief that he takes his ministry and his calling seriously and is very careful to teach only from a biblical standpoint. 

Recently, he has pointed out the New Age teachings of an individual who calls himself a Christian.  I'm going to say this bluntly.  If you are teaching new age ideas and trying to infuse them into Christianity, but claim that you didn't realize what you were doing, STOP AND REPENT IMMEDIATELY.  Once someone points out the obvious to you... perhaps the best thing would be if you simply wouldn't teach at all.  Furthermore, you should very humbly admit your mistake and apologize and ask for forgiveness for teaching false doctrines.

*******
UPDATED VERSION:

I previously mentioned a minister whose name and website, I shall withhold.  Let my say this. 
I have prayed about this situation.  I asked God to give me an answer.  I believe that I got that answer tonight in a big way.  Now, after prayer, and consideration, plus some research, I have come to the conclusion that there are a number of wolves out there parading around in sheep's clothing.  I have decided to retract my message of helping this person out.  You must go to God in prayer and carefully consider whether or not helping any ministry is the right thing to do.  I believe that God will make it abundantly clear to you what you are supposed to do.  Tithing is important.  Just be wise about it.

  I did not intend to mislead anyone.  I honestly thought I was doing the right thing.  Consider very carefully what you believe when you listen to people who call themselves watchmen.  I stand by God's word, and God's word only.   

******* END OF UPDATE
I would say more, but I think the word of God has already done a better job in just a few short verses quoted from the scriptures. 

As promised, I will soon begin the "Bible in a Year" blog.  Keep an eye out.  Share if you like. 

Also, above all, test everything.

May God Bless You.

Christmas Prayer

I would like to wish each and everyone who reads this blog and all others a wonderful, blessed Christmas. 

I pray that Yahweh will bless you immensely.  I pray that all lost souls that want to find forgiveness through our Lord and Savior, Jesus, will do so.

Thank God for each of you.  Keep your faith.

Strive to be more and more like Jesus each day.

With the Love of the Savior,  take care!

Faith Part V

Greetings All!

It's been a while since my last post...

       I've been laboring over what to write and whether or not to post that which you are about to read. I've asked God for guidance in these matters, and finally I feel compelled to put forth that which I have been holding back for some time. Bare with me, this is going  to be a lengthy one.

       A few years back, I began  to do business at a local convenience store which had some of the best prices in town for gas.  The owner was Arabic, and had moved to the United States to pursue the American Dream of owning his own business.  He and I became acquainted over time because I would talk to him about the convenience store business, having "grown up," working in our family service station that was, in no way to be considered a convenience store.  Yet I understood enough about the business to have a respectable conversation with the man.  We became as much acquaintances as we could given the small amount of time I could afford to spend talking with him.  Nonetheless, when I would go in to pay for my gas, he'd be ready to visit with me for a few minutes, while I was there.

       In one of our conversations, I mentioned that I thought that the United States had gone overboard with the reaction to 9/11.  Not that retribution due those truly responsible should be sought, mind you.  Rather, that maybe in  an effort to gain measures of safety we had given up some of our freedoms.  I  told him that the best way to defeat terrorism is to not be afraid and accept the consequences as they came.  He asked me to clarify what I meant.  I simply explained to him that as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, one who worshiped and prayed to God regularly, that I did not fear death.  My reward would come after death. hence, no terrorist could cause me to fear their actions.  This being said, I further stated that if every one would convert to Christianity and take the same attitude that I did, then the terrorist's actions would be negated.  Terrorism is only successful if it strikes fear into the intended victims.

       He stood back for a few seconds with his mouth open and was seemingly taken by surprise by my comments.  When he recovered, he said, " my friend, what you have said is true.  You, the God fearing follower of Jesus Christ, who is not afraid of death, are what Islamic terrorists should fear most!"

       So, I continue with the discussion about faith for this writing and perhaps one final, yet to be considered before I move on to other subject matter.

       Was it a test of faith for Jonah to be swallowed by the whale?  Was Noah's faith tested when he was told to build the Ark?  What about Jesus, himself?  Remember how he prayed, asking God to let the cup pass from his hand if it was indeed the will of the Father?

       Faith is an immeasurable concept.  I was told recently to not attribute too much credit of good things that happen to me to the actions of God.  This was stated by a fellow human who professes to be a Christian. But let me ask, If I pray to God concerning a particular situation, and the situation gets remedied in such a way which  I could never have made it happen on my own, wouldn't I be ignoring my faith in God to help me through just exactly such situations?  Wouldn't I be guilty of not giving credit where credit is due?

       I will write more from time to time concerning faith.  My next blog entries will most likely be at the start of the coming year with a weekly entry entitled: "The Bible in a Year."  If you follow with me, we will cover the entire Bible in one calendar year.  If we have extra time, we may consider covering the apocrypha as well.  For the mean time, let me leave you with this.  Heading into this Christmas season, please take my advice.  Keep your faith.  Above all else, Keep your faith.  Even if you are the last christian left in this world and the entire world stands against you, stand your ground and keep your faith,

        May the Lord bless you and keep you now and forever.  AMEN!

Trust IV (Faith)

Faith


I've heard many folks say that before they speak or write about anything concerning God, Jesus Christ, and / or Christianity, they go to the Father in prayer.  They ask for divine inspiration.

So be it.

It has been a while since I last blogged.

I have prayed.

So, with faith, I write.

With faith, I entrusted my eternal life to God through Jesus Christ.  I was baptized.  I became renewed as I was resurrected out of the watery grave of the baptismal tub, ever to be cleansed by the sacrificial blood of the Lamb.

With faith, I have prayed to God for health, financial help, help with situations, and for the salvation of others.

With faith, I trust God will answer my prayers as He sees fit.  He will provide.  He will guide.  He will protect.

With faith, I am assured that if I fail Him, I can ask forgiveness, and receive it.

With faith, I know that my name is written in the Book of Life.

With faith, I have the guarantee that I will live in eternity with those who also love God and Jesus, and have confessed their belief in God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ, son of God.

With faith, I understand that someone, somewhere, will read this and will hear the call of the Lord and seek Him out.

With faith, I have no doubt that the war against sin was already won before it was ever started.

With faith, I can accomplish all things through Jesus Christ, my  Lord and Savior.

With faith, you can find peace through eternal life in Jesus Christ.

With faith, I know that, whatever the circumstances, I can go on.

With faith, I know that, whatever the circumstances, I must go on.

With faith, I know that, whatever the circumstances, I will go  on.


With Faith.  I understand, I know, I am assured, I have no  doubt, I trust, I can.

With Faith.  You can.

With Faith.

Trust part III

     I briefly touched upon the idea of trust, and trusting God in my previous posts.  I talked about a sign my mom used to have that said "Let Go, Let God." 

    How many times, in the past, have I prayed to God over some concern that I had, asking him to intervene or direct me.  I would always pray, "not my will, but thine, Father."  My mom taught me that.  Jesus prayed something similar.  His prayer was to the effect of "Father, let this cup pass from me, yet not as I will but as Thou will." Matt 26:39  So, the savior, our intercessor to God, understands.  Still, given that information, how many times have I prayed and thought that my prayer went unanswered, only to realize years later that my prayers were in fact, answered.  Some folks might even say that no answer is still an answer.

     Faith is another word that, to me, goes along with trust.  Even though I envy Enoch, with whom God walked, I wonder what God thinks of someone who did not walk with God as Enoch or knew Jesus Christ personally,  someone who keeps his faith in God through all of his life.  Yes, I would have liked to have met Jesus in person.  I would have purely enjoyed walking  and talking to God, daily. But what is faith if it is not the belief and conviction of things not seen?

     If you had a situation where God has undeniably answered your prayers, please post this information in the comments.

     In the meantime, through faith, walk with God, talk with God, and give thanks to him for our intercessor and savior, Jesus Christ.