Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
Proverbs 22:2 The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.
Nobody is better than you & you are not better than anyone else. God created us all equal. I’ve hung out with millionaires & sat & visited with the homeless. We’ve all got a story & our book isn’t finished yet. We can’t be sure why anyone is where they are in life, but I know God wants to bless us all & He isn’t partial to one over the other.
Your race, political views, religion, or sexual preference don’t mean much to me. How you treat others does. Don’t be a crappy or hateful person. Choose to be kind & loving…
See the good in everyone.
Ephesians 5:21 Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male & female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
COVID 19 and the year 2020 are included in all circumstances. So Give Thanks!!!
Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday. This will be a Thanksgiving unlike any other.
For the record, I am a medical professional of 27 years. I have treated COVID-19 patients. I utilize CDC precautions every day providing care to fellow citizens.
Politicians and medical professionals are calling on citizens to use precautions during this holiday and every day.
Some politicians are even willing to arrest and fine citizens who disobey their edicts! They want the police to drive through neighborhoods and ticket families and groups of people who do not comply.
Eat outside, no more than 4 people, no singing, no more than 2 hours, social distance, wear a mask, and on and on and on…
However, the state of California is going to allow people to go to the bathroom during Thanksgiving with conditions.
“Gatherings that occur outdoors are significantly safer than indoor gatherings. All gatherings must be held outside. Attendees may go inside to use restrooms as long as the restrooms are frequently sanitized.” California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Erie Co. Sheriff Howard: I've no plans to utilize my office or Deputies to break up #Thanksgiving dinner. These traditions shouldn't be stopped or interrupted by @NYGovCuomo mandates. My office respects the sanctity of your home. Act responsibly & do what's best for your family.
I would also encourage everyone to read the Bill of Rights. Pay special attention to the First Amendment.
Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Photo by Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist on Pexels.com
Respect the thoughts and opinions of others. This Thanksgiving is an opportunity for balance and common sense to prevail. It does not have to be one way or the other, polar extremes.
We are still a free country. And with freedom comes responsibility. Freedom does not mean we are free from the consequences of our choices.
Ephesians 5:20 …giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…
This transforming “light” is the glory of the Father which resides within each of us upon putting our faith in Christ but it lies dormant (we are blind to it even as believers) until we know that it is in us. When we know…our eyes begin to open and we can see from within in a way the world can’t see. We know things we aren’t supposed to know from the world’s perspective. Yet we are supposed to know them from the Father’s perspective.
In John 11:1-7, after Jesus learned Lazarus was sick, He waited 2 days to make sure he died so that the glory of God would be revealed in Him (in Christ) by raising Lazarus from the dead.
Sometimes God waits until we think the worst has happened
and there’s no turning back before He sends His answer by telling us He can
turn it back, so that His full glory will be revealed in any given situation.
Don’t ever think death (or sleep) is the end of anything. God will wake that
person up if you trust in Him to do so and cause all who witness to believe in
Him. Nothing is impossible for our God and for those who are in Christ.
Jesus said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. “But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” (John 11:8-10)
Because the light is not in him – that’s why he stumbles.
Not because it’s dark outside. But because he’s spiritually blind. There’s no
light in him. When Christians stumble too it’s because no light is in him –
same as the world. Sight isn’t automatic even upon putting our trust in Christ.
God’s glory must be awakened from lying dormant within us. The potential for
sight is always there. But our eyes still must be opened. So the Holy Spirit is
teaching us all things.
“Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14, ESV)
Ephesians 5:25-33 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
This is how a husband is to relate to his wife. Jesus Christ is the model. Look at the verbs in the passage above…
Love, love, gave, sanctify, cleanse, wash, present, be holy, love, loves, loves, nourishes, cherishes, hold fast, become one, love…
Does the Religion of Peace believe in wife beating? Does Islam allow a man to hit his wife? YES!!!
But only if she doesn’t do as he asks. The beating must stop if the woman complies with her husband’s demands. Behind verbal abuse and abandonment, beating is intended as last resort solution to coerce submission. According to testimony in the Hadith, Mohammad physically struck his favorite wife for leaving the house without his permission. It is not known how he treated his less-favored wives.
Here’s where it’s found in the Quran in case someone tries to disclaim this to you.
Quran 4:34 Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.
Quran 38:44 “And take in your hand a green branch and beat her with it, and do not break your oath…”
Allah telling Job to beat his wife Tafsir.
Sheikh Yousef al-Qaradhawi, one of the most respected Muslim clerics in the world, once made the famous and somewhat ridiculous statement.
“It is forbidden to beat the woman, unless it is necessary.”
He went on to say that “one may beat only to safeguard Islamic behavior.”
There is no doubt that wife-beating is a matter of religious sanction.
Mohammed beat his wife and recommended wife beating to others. Allah sanctioned and gave directions on how to beat a wife.
Jesus loves, nourishes, and cherishes His wife. Christ demonstrates self-sacrifice for His bride. He wants to present her as blameless. Jesus took her place and died on her behalf. Christ keeps His wife from punishment.
Job 21:7 Why do the wicked still live, continue on, also become very powerful?
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life, is not from the Father but is from the world.
Caution, this is an adult conversation.
Saw a news clip this morning where a supposedly famous female designer was defending Harvey Weinstein by saying the way women dress now days is just asking to be touched inappropriately. Dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. If a woman wants touched, there won’t be any question about it. No still means no. Just because you have power & wealth, it doesn’t give you the right to be an asshat. Just because a woman wants to feel good about herself or feel sexy, it doesn’t mean she wants your attention or to be touched. Be a gentleman, not an entitled jerk!
Ephesians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
The following thoughts are from the other Paul, the Poke.
Serious question, are any of us any different than Harvey Weinstein? As people, we think the sins of another are far worse than anything we do. “Well I’m not as bad as Joe Blow!”
Here is the standard from Jesus Himself.
Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Anyone out there innocent? Remember, pride and lying are sins as well.
There is a solution…got Jesus???
Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so don’t live like it is. Live each day as if it’s your last. Choose to spend your time wisely, doing what’s good & loving others. God gave us this life for a purpose, live with that purpose.
Ephesians 5:16 Make the best use of time, because the days are evil.
James 4:14 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time & then vanishes.
Have a purpose filled Memorial Day Weekend my friends!!!
By U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Revelation 2:4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
What was the first love of the local body in Ephesus? Jesus Christ. This was established in Revelation 2:3. They had “endured for My name’s sake.”
The Greek language of the verse is consistent with divorce in a marriage. The word for “left” is απηιεμι/aphiemi. It means: to send away; to bid going away or depart; of a husband divorcing his wife; to let go, let alone, let be; to disregard; to omit, neglect; to give up, keep no longer. –Strong’s Concordance
The church at Ephesus had essentially divorced itself from the head of the body, Jesus Christ. The irony is the Apostle Paul had written the Ephesians regarding this very topic in Ephesians 5:22-23. The passages discuss how the body of believers should submit to Christ because He died for her. His death allows believers to be free and cleansed of sin. The body is to be the pure and blameless bride. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the body.
Where does the body of Christ stand today in the 21st century. Are we any different than the church at Ephesus?
Revelation 2:5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.
The word “repent” is stated twice in the verse. “Repent” is not a mystical, spiritual word that has some deep theological meaning. The Greek word for repent is μετανοεο/metanoeo. It means: to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins.
One should be ashamed of their actions. There should be some conviction. Be honest. Right is right and wrong is wrong. We can all do better.
This verse is not discussing eternal salvation. Salvation was not lost for the individual believer. The individual’s position in Christ would not change. The issue is the local church at Ephesus. The church can be taken away.
Jesus gives the solution first. Get back to the basics as they were doing previously. Revelation 2:2-3.
Ephesians 5:16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
map: theguardian.com
The phrase “making the most” is an interesting translation. It is the Greek word exagorazo. Per Strong’s Concordance it means: to redeem; by payment of a price to recover from the power of another; to ransom; buy off.
Someone has purchased these days for us. See Jesus on the cross. Revelation 5:9b for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. See also 1 Corinthians 6:20, Colossians 1:14, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 1:7.
The days of our lives are precious and not to be wasted. Treasure these days and utilize them for good… because the days are evil.
Psalms 34:21 Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
Another translation is Evil people shall self-destruct. Is this ever true. They will be punished. There are not 72 virgins.
Psalms 34:14 Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
… seek peace and pursue it. In the original Hebrew “seek” and “pursue” are not passive. The action is to be intensive and intentional. “Seek” or require, desire, exact, request, demand are the concepts. “Pursue” or put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon, persecute, harass, to follow after, and aim to secure are the ideas (Strong’s Concordance).
Evil needs to be confronted.
Galatians 1:4-5 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father…
Yes, evil exists in our time (November 2015). There are plenty of examples on display in our world. We can expect there will be more evil.
Take comfort, evil will not stand forever.
Revelation 21:4-5 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
In recent years, Australia has been a hot bed for the second coming of Christ. The latest (July 2015) is Brian Marshall. He is married and 71 years old.
In 2013, AJ Miller of Australia claimed to be the incarnation of Jesus. His girlfriend, Mary Luck, is allegedly Mary Magdalene incarnated. He is around 50 years old.
Jesus has only one bride, the body of believers or His church. He is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18). Jesus has a contract to be married to His bride. The contract was paid with His blood on the cross (Acts 17:11, Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 6:20). See Ephesians 5 for the relationship between Jesus and the church. Jesus provides the model for marriage.
John 20:27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
After reviewing pictures of these two imposters, there were no scars on the hands or feet. They did not offer any evidence of a puncture wound to midsection. No scars were observed around the head from a crown of thorns.
Zechariah 14:4 In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.
I am still waiting for any of these hucksters to have a controlled descent out of the clouds without a parachute or safety device. Touch down safely on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, Israel. And mark your arrival with an earthquake. Crack the mountain in two pieces and create a new geographic feature. This would be guaranteed to make the news. It would go viral on YouTube.
Revelation 1:7 BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.
On Friday, June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States legalized gay marriage in all 50 states. All states are mandated to perform same sex marriages. All states must recognize same sex marriages that occur in other states.
The point of this post is not to lecture the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) population. Here, this topic is being approached with humility, respect, and grace. Condemning and hateful attitudes solve nothing. Harsh, ill feelings are barriers and obstacles to the good news of mercy and forgiveness that is Jesus Christ.
Here in the United States, we live in a culture and society that has elevated its civil law above God’s law. In regards to the gay lifestyle, our civil laws are different than how God views the topic. Our courts have spoken on the matter.
Next are God’s words. It is acknowledged, His words are offensive to segments of society. Eventually, His words are offensive to all of us if we are honest with ourselves. Please take your complaints and comments directly to Him. He will listen. He is a big boy. He can handle it.
Here is what God says.
God says in Leviticus 20:13 ‘If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them.
The Hebrew word for “lies” is shakab. It means to have sexual intercourse. Men having sex with men and women having sex with women is “detestable” or tow`ebah. God views this act as a disgusting thing or an abomination (Strong’s Concordance).
God is consistent in thought in the Old Testament and the New Testament. The above Leviticus verse is not a one off. See also: Leviticus 18:22, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Romans 1:26-28.
Deuteronomy 22:5 A woman shall not wear man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.
Likewise, God sees crossdressing as tow`ebah or detestable or disgusting.
God states that marriage should be between a man and woman from the beginning in Genesis. See also 1 Corinthians 7:2 But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband.
As a friend of mine stated, gay marriage is a legal, civil right granted by the Supreme Court of the United States. Gay marriage is not a covenant relationship ordained or sanctioned by God. See Ephesians 5.
We are called to love one another. Galatians 5:14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” The Greek word for “love” is agape. Per Strong’s Concordance agape means: to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly. This love is the nature of God.
It does not matter if one steals, lies, commits murder, covets, or whatever. There are no “shades of grey” when it comes to sin. There is not a sliding scale for sin. One sin is not more condemning than another. If you break one, you break them all. James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
As individuals, it is not our place to judge others regardless of their actions. Every person on the planet has a lifestyle issue that can be taken to task. Judgment belongs to God. James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?
We are all in need of sin remission. Every single one of us is a sinner. We all have sin in our lives. Ecclesiastes 7:20 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.
And this is where the grace of Jesus enters the scene. Christ loves us ALL in spite of our actions whatever they may be. He paid the penalty for sin. For those who believe, He has paid the fine for sin.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit…
Romans 6:10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
Hebrews 9:28a so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many…
Does the Religion of Peace believe in wife beating? Does Islam allow a man to hit his wife? YES!!!
