Making a Difference in your Life, in the Parts that are for Keeps!
The Bible gets to the heart of things.
It also gets to the gut of things.
We’ve ?smoothed over? some nitty-gritty things of life by changing words from older translations to soften the reader impact.
“filthy rags” (menstrual cloths) – to – “polluted garment”
“dung” – to – “rubbish
“bowels” – to – “mercy, deep compassion”
“kidneys” – to – “inmost being?
“peculiar” people – to – “chosen” people
What makes the difference ?
The letter ‘R’.
And what does ‘R’ stand for ?
A Relationship with Jesus.
And what does Jesus do ?
Jesus changes greeting the new day from “moaning” to “good morning”.
Jesus said, “Because you are neither hot nor cold [about Me], but because you are lukewarm, I will spew you out of my mouth (vomit).”
What do castration, spaying, neutering, and transgender surgery have in common ?
They prevent reproduction.
Castration, spaying, and neutering have long been practiced on animals without ethical issues and with established benefits of man’s dominion over the rest of creation.
Man was never given such dominion over other people.
On the contrary, severe limits and penalties and punishments are clearly spelled out for killing or harming another human.
Special severity is described for harming children.
That would most certainly apply to all transgender procedures, chemical and surgical.
And, in addition to the blatant criminal actions of transgender procedures against the laws of God and the laws of nature established by God, most of the recent plague of gender identity confusion is intentionally encouraged and fueled by media and education—directed at the very young.
Many are pushing for treating people like animals, especially children who should not and cannot make these permanent, destructive, life-altering decisions and actions.
Just like with abortion, the patient/victim is not told the truth before it is too late.
And the truth of the awful consequences is suppressed to the public after it is too late, with untold suffering, sorrow, and regret.
– – –
Speak up, speak out, loudly, wherever you can against this demonic evil from “depraved minds”.
I’m prompted to write this because this morning I heard on the radio a doctor refusing to answer five to ten times, “Can a man get pregnant?”.
Just like the Supreme Court nominee who could not answer, “What is a woman?”.
PRAY !
Our only hope !
Yesterday Franklin Graham called for a national day of prayer.
PRAY !
Our only hope !
What is God’s perspective on the inevitable deterioration in senior years ?
We “call on Him in every trouble”, every challenge, every test, every detail.
He “delivers us” over and over again.
We “glorify Him” just like His Word tells us.
Some experience more deliverance than others, and come to the end of life with glory and praise for God’s goodness.
But most of us experience decline in senior years—in health, in strength, in mental function, in what we can do, in what doesn’t work like it used to, in pain, in failure, in loss, in heartache, in heartbreak, in all the cryptic descriptions of Ecclesiastes 12. *
So, how much of this should we fight and claim victory over—with the multitude of Bible verses that promise miracles—yes, even experienced before, with faith.
So, how much of this “going down” are we supposed to accept and ‘adjust to?’ because that’s just what happens in this fallen world.
Is is possible to know what God thinks ?
I know it is dangerous to say what God thinks.
We can confidently say what God says in His Word.
In His Word He tells us His Will.
In His Word He tells us His Promises.
In His Word He tells us how He kept His Promises.
But now, personal, in my life, where do I claim overcoming with His Promises, and where do I resign with His Promises.
I’ve been walking with Jesus too long with too much reality, to spin His Promises with my words to suit my comfort level.
All the people who walked with Jesus before me, like Daddy, enduring to the end, “faithful unto death”, certainly had God’s smile of approval and reward, “the crown of life”.
If we endure, even when we start to ‘lose it’ in later years, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. Remind the believers of these things.”
* May I suggest reading this chapter from your Bible, before reading the following.
Ecclesiastes 12, with translations of the cryptic (help from Bible Lessons International).
“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the days of adversity come
[times of sickness, sorrow, senility]
and the years approach of which you will say,
‘I find no pleasure in them,’
[deterioration of the physical body robs life of joy]
before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened,
[even the beauty of seeing God’s creation grows dim as one ages]
and the clouds return after the rain,
[never a clear day, never a sunlit morning, always gray and gloomy]
on the day the keepers of the house tremble
[the body’s arms shaking (from age or fear)]
and the strong men stoop,
[the legs]
when those grinding cease because they are few
[the teeth]
and those watching through windows see dimly,
[the eyes]
when the doors to the street are shut
[lack of hearing]
and the sound of the mill fades away,
[ears]
when one rises at the sound of a bird
[sleeplessness]
and all the daughters of song grow faint,
[bad hearing, fading sexual desire]
when men fear the heights and dangers of the road,
[standing, fear of falling, difficulty walking]
when the almond tree blossoms,
[white, gray hair]
the grasshopper drags himself,
[elderly walking bent over]
and the caper berry is ineffective—
[normal sexual desire is gone]
for then man goes to his eternal home
and mourners walk the streets.
[waiting for you to die]
Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped
and the golden bowl is crushed,
[the value, yet frailty of human life]
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring
and the wheel is broken at the well,
[household items, daily chores]
before the dust returns to the ground from which it came
[humans made from dust]
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
[breath from God]
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”
I observe – – –
The most effective device the devil uses to keep us from putting our problems, our troubles, in perspective is this:
Continuously (over and over and over again) plunging us into the next ‘job’ that we M U S T do immediately—so we can’t/don’t deal with the big issue that troubles us ongoing.
Combined with this:
Relentlessly, repeatedly making us so weary that we HAVE TO sleep (crash) !
So very tired that we can’t even work, let alone figure out why we can’t get enough done.
We may have some friends who remind us of a Bible verse on a sincere, warm fuzzy poster that should fix us (at least for now)—so they can feel they’ve done their part and move on without our burden on them.
Where is the Christian friend that actually knows how to “bear each other’s burdens, AND BY DOING THAT FULFILLS THE LAW OF JESUS.” ?
And that is what makes a difference, more than the correct theological answer.
Question:
++ Who do we know that deals with the bottom line, the real hard question, the big WHY ?, the WHY ME ?, the WHY THIS AGAIN ?, the WHY OTHERS MOVE AHEAD, AND I’M WAYLAID, BLINDSIDED BY ONE MORE SURPRISE AFTER ANOTHER ?
Question:
++ Who do we know that sees this, but offers nothing, except to communicate or imply, “What’s wrong with you ?”
Question:
++ The bottom line question is, “Are there any real answers, anywhere ?”
YES, THERE ARE ANSWERS.
But–
— not in trying harder.
— not in more of what isn’t working
— not in advice from others
— not in my own new ideas
— not in better tools, techniques
— not in better doctors
— not in copying others
— not in blaming others
— not in blaming myself
— not in excuses
— not in some ‘power’ of thinking
The Bible says, “. . . lest satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
Satanic devices such as:
XX– “I can’t ‘get anything done’ on the list I felt so positive about before THIS happened !”
Satanic devices such as:
XX– “I can’t afford to stop and think about it—I can’t afford to waste the time, if it doesn’t fix the problem now, so I can move on.”
Satanic devices such as:
XX– “I can’t slow down, with the backlog hanging over me.”
Real answers – – – available ? or not ?
Hmmm !
Stop ?
STOP !
S T O P ! ! !
You say you can’t afford to stop ?
You say you can’t——except when “something happens”——and you do stop ?
OH !—Here’s another thought, to pile it on:
Is it the same as this:
XX- “I can’t afford to stop working on Sunday (all day Sunday, every Sunday) when I’m so behind already.”
Like this:
XX- “I can’t afford to tithe—when I’m struggling financially already.”
XX- “Truth is, I’m having a hard time finishing reading this article, but a friend asked me to read it.”
Somewhere the Bible says,
“There’s nothing new under the sun.”
Got that right ! (As though I can say)
The Bible (only the Bible) can give us the perspective we need.
God does not change.
6000 years of history—He’s the same.
The Bible doesn’t change.
Can God’s instruction help is with
WHY ?
WHY ?
WHY ?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . .”
“. . . and do not lean on your own understanding . . .”
“. . . In all your ways acknowledge Him . . .”
“. . . and He will direct your paths.”
And, my friends, that’s just one Bible verse—MORE WHERE THAT COMES FROM !
“Be still ! ! ! And know that I AM God.”
Be Still = STOP
1 – STOP
Every morning, first thing, with God.
(How much time does that take ?—a few minutes.)
2 – STOP
Many times every day, with God.
(How much time does that take ?—a few seconds.)
3 – STOP
Every day, with your family, with God.
(How much time does that take ?—a few minutes, to half hour.)
4 – STOP
Every week, for a whole day, alone and with your family, with God, to rest.
(How much time does that take ?—14% of your life—“six days work, one day rest, for our benefit”—“Did God really say?”—He said so.)
1-STOP (includes your Bible)
2-STOP (includes memory Bible verses)
3-STOP (includes interaction and Bible)
4-STOP (includes learning, studying, memorizing Bible verses, everyone saying/reading the Bible aloud)
When you do all this, you can’t help but pray and sing, and more (like help someone who needs help, like tell someone who needs Jesus how you know Him)
Can you do this secretly, without saying something at home, at work, at . . .?
N O !
The Bible tells us about God.
The Bible tells us a whole bunch about God.
That means God is telling us about God.
God is telling us about Himself.
And it’s not just random, or sketchy.
We don’t have to fill in any parts that we imagine He left blank or unclear.
Who wrote the Bible ?
We didn’t.
So we have no obligation to upgrade or add anything that’s not there.
We have no right or room to make a presumption about God, and say something we came up with, that’s not there, that God missed.
What about practicing the novel idea, the super-simplified ‘method?’ of Bible Study, that reads God’s Word and only goes back and forth in it to make connections and gain more understanding ?
Is not the Bible loaded enough to give us food for thought and material for study ?
I think it is arrogant for any theologian/teacher to write extensive books to give his answer for every question.
In today’s complex proliferation of spiritual resources, the name behind the resource often carries more weight and time for the reader/listener than the Bible they are explaining.
I challenge someone to minimize what they have to say and maximize what the Bible says.
I realize such an approach to answers for Bible questions will not bring personal recognition or fame or money.
So, why are we in ministry—to sell books, to sell ourselves, to make our name well-known—all because we have so much insight, revelation ?
Paul was LOADED with revelations, and then, THEN, what . . . ?
“Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh—a messenger of satan to buffet me—lest I should be exalted above measure. [note the repeat]
For this I pleaded with God three times to take it from me.
But God said, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in your weakness.’
Most gladly, therefore, I will glory in my weakness, that the power of God may rest upon me, because when I am weak, then I am strong.”
I thought it was all about Jesus.
“He must increase—I must decrease.”
Why do people flock to and listen to and read the well-educated, well-known preachers/teachers of the day, and those of the past ?
Is it all about learning to walk closer with Jesus (it can be), or just learning more ?
I will acknowledge benefit from individuals with extensive study to share with others, if that centers on two things–
And never forget the purpose of the Bible , and it’s Source—Jesus—The Word:
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
God’s Word does that best in its purest form—natural, organic, with no additives—just like our physical food.
What a time, what a moment in history, to press for healthy spiritual nutrition directly from The Source, with no alterations or ‘improvements’ !
What a breakthrough in our spiritual well-being !
What a challenge !
Challenges in detox, getting free from dependence, addiction to spiritual diets that contain ten times more human additives than the Original Food !
Challenges that threaten the enormous economics of the spiritual additive industry—just like the powerful money motive in food additive production.
Dare I say, MASHA
Make
America
Spiritually
Healthy
Again
God gave His Hebrew people specific diet restrictions, which we find burdensome, even onerous.
We say, “What for ?”
Some formulate diets based on selected parts of the Old Testament, and say they have a better life.
Then Peter has his vision where God says to not call anything unclean, especially Gentiles.
So we feel a big relief to eat what we want.
Now, why all the restrictions and rules back then ?
It doesn’t mean there was something bad in the forbidden foods.
They were forbidden because God said, “Don’t eat !”
It was a test of obedience.
HMMM !
God said before, “Don’t eat this !”
There was not something bad in the forbidden fruit on the one tree in the middle of the garden, but it was forbidden to eat it—WITH CONSEQUENCES !
Today, we may not see anything bad in the forbidden fruit on God’s list.*
But if He spelled that list out in black and white and wrote it down for us to read and know—the truth—we do well to learn from history, from Adam and Eve, from Israel, and from . . . !
One more confirmation to “lean not on our own understanding”.
So what is the forbidden fruit—THE LIST—for us, today ?
“Flee fornication.”
“Flee youthful lusts.”
“Do not commit adultery.”
“Whoever looks on a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
“Avoid every appearance of evil.”
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers – – – They will turn your children away from following Me.”
“Wives, submit to your husbands in the Lord.”
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
“So God created mankind in his own image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
“A man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
“Be fruitful and multiply.”
“Do not permit a woman to teach, nor to use authority over a man, but to be in quietness.” (in the church)
“Come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.”
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of the Lord.”
“What is required of [us] stewards—to be found faithful.”
“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.”
*until we experience the consequences
“Be sure your sins will find you out.”
“Moses gave you manna in the wilderness 40 years.”
Jesus called it Moses’ manna, knowing He provided it.
Daddy gave me pecan manna in the wilderness of Daddy Derangement Syndrome for 36 years so far.
Thank you, Daddy, for your faithfulness planting and grafting these trees 45 years ago, for me to pick up the manna one pecan at a time today.
Only a few this year—greater reflection than ever, greater peace amid failing years of my life, greater picturing Daddy here planting these trees two feet tall in perfectly straight rows, now one foot and more in diameter.
So, THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR SUSTAINING DADDY’S FAITHFULNESS RIGHT WHERE I STAND—I’M GETTING DADDY’S MANNA, YOUR MANNA , OFF THE GROUND.
–
Late fall this year, leaves still on pecan trees, can’t see to thrash, pecans falling, crows and squirrel stealing, so I had to come every day for a month to pick up pecans as they fall.
Instead of counting pecans by the pound, this year it’s counting by the pecan.
Personal reflections here in the pecan orchard—Daddy’s pecan orchard, from which he could never see the fruit.
Finally, peace, amid my wilderness of life.
New reflections and identifying with Daddy’s life, in God’s call on my life, to follow in Daddy’s footsteps.
Accepting unpopularity, like Daddy.
Positive results, rewards, are rare.
Alone, like Daddy.
“A man’s foes will be those of his own household.”
“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.”
Amen !
Indeed !
QUESTIONS:
How much Bible does it take . . .
. . . to start my day ?
How much Bible does it take . . .
. . . to make it through the day ?
How much Bible does it take . . .
. . . to make God happy ?
How much Bible does it take . . .
. . . to make me happy ?
How much time in my Bible does it take every day, to be spiritually successful ?
ANSWERS:
Wrong questions !
If I answer directly, then my time with God in His Word becomes a checklist of obligations I do to stay good with Him.
Instead, remember that Jesus calls us His friends.
Friends spend time together, talking, and just being close.
Jesus said He’s waiting for us to hear Him knocking, and for us to open the door—He wants to come in and “eat and drink” with us—like family time at mealtime.
What does it take ?
If it takes a whale—if it takes a wilderness—so be it.
If you love Jesus,
Spend time with Him.
Talk to Him—pray.
Listen to Him—read His Words, and listen.
How much time ?
No telling—
No limit—
No obligation—
No worry—
Think about this question instead,
How much do I love Jesus ?
Think about this,
How much do I want to love Jesus ?
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