Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen.
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.
Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
Psalm 144:4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
Have a purpose filled Memorial Day Weekend my friends!!!
Isaiah 42:5 Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, and spirit to those who walk on it…
As we celebrate this day of Thanksgiving, let us remember Who gave us life, that we are living, aware, breathing, and awake by the grace of God.
Life is not of ourselves. We are not responsible for our existence. God created.
By His grace, we are all here on this Earth, His creation, He created. God is beyond patient with how we steward His creation. He is beyond patient with how we as humanity treat each other, His children.
Job 34:13-14 If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.
We have life and we should be thankful for our lives.
Romans 14:6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.
On this Thanksgiving, give thanks to the Lord. Because of Him, we have this opportunity called life.
Chief Justice John Roberts has confirmed the leaked “Opinion of the Court” from Justice Samuel Alito is authentic. The majority first draft by Justice Alito sets the stage for each individual state to make a decision on abortion. Currently, the vote appears to be 5 (Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett) to 3 (Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan). Chief Justice John Roberts’ vote has yet to be determined as of the posting of this article.
A fence has been erected around the Supreme Court. Protests from both sides of the issue were taking place throughout the day at the Court.
“We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,” Justice Alito.
“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division.” -Justice Alito
For those who want to read the complete “Opinion of the Court”, click on the link below.
See the YouTube link below for additional analysis.
This topic is an absolute lightning rod. This is an adult conversation. Passions are running hot. Please keep all comments to be thoughtful, respectful and considerate of others even if one disagrees with another. To brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, be mindful of Who we are representing. We are held to a higher standard.
For those who disagree, file your complaint with the good Lord. He can handle your opinion. You are free to launch your protest. He knows it before you utter your dissent. Keep in mind, His standards are fixed. He is not interested in redefining standards to meet your needs or moral platitudes.
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What does God think about the act of taking a life inside the womb of a mother? In the 20th and 21st century, this act is called abortion.
In our modern day enlightened culture, we would like to think abortion is a new and progressive issue. It may surprise many that this practice of taking life from the womb, as well as life from the mother, was occurring approximately 2,750 years ago as documented by the prophet Amos and by an unknown author (Jewish tradition suspects the prophet Jeremiah) in 2 Kings. We can’t hide what God says. There is nothing new under the sun.
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These are the words inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.
2 Kings 8:11-12 Elisha fixed his gaze steadily on him until Hazael became uncomfortable. Then the man of God began to weep. “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”
We will start with and focus on the Hebrew word for evil. It is ra’. The word means bad, adversity, or evil. The first time this word occurs is in the book of Genesis.
Genesis 2:9b The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The tree of knowledge of good and evil was the bearer of the forbidden fruit. In essence, God is explaining to humanity. If you want to know about evil, you will experience evil. God’s instructions to Adam were direct and to the point.
God’s way: to trust in God’s provision is everlasting life. And don’t forget, humanity was created eternal. Or humanity’s way: to know good and evil is death. And so it was, a simple choice.
Life or death?
Genesis 2:17 …but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
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So going back to our verses from 2 Kings 8:11-12. There were four acts of evil Elisha told Hazael he would commit.
set fire to their fortresses
kill their young men with the sword
dash their little ones to pieces
rip open their pregnant women
Taking life from the womb of a pregnant woman is evil. Taking the life of the mother is evil. Dashing and cutting babies to pieces is evil. It is murderous.
Exodus 20:13 You shall not murder.
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These are the words inspired by the Holy Spirit of God to the prophet Amos.
Amos 1:13 Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of the Ammonites, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead, that they might enlarge their border.
The Ammonites are clearly repeat offenders of taking the lives of pregnant women and taking life inside the womb.
Pasha or transgressions can also be translated as rebellious acts.
The transgressions or rebellious acts are defined by God: because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead.
God has consequences for Ammonites. And because of these events, God promises fire, a tempest wind storm (this could be translated as a whirlwind or tornado), and leadership into exile in Amos 1:14-15.
Scripture is clear. God does not approve of the act of taking life inside the womb of a mother. And God does not approve of taking the life of the mother. He is pro life.
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As far as sin goes, there is no sliding scale of severity with God. Abortion is no worse of an iniquity than any other sin. It is humanity who has redefined, ordered and prioritized which sins are worse, not God.
Remember that death, disease, pains, suffering, hard labor and environmental changes came into being because a forbidden piece of fruit was eaten. God takes any sin seriously to the point of death. As God sees it, sin is sin.
James 2:10-11 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
Let’s be real. We are all sinners with many different issues. The end result of sin is the same, death.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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The topic of abortion has brought a tremendous amount of pain, suffering and regret to many including unborn victims, moms, dads, grandparents, families and friends. The topic Roe v Wade has been polarizing and divisive for close to 50 years in the United States. It is ripping and tearing the fabric of our society.
To the body of Christ, this is an encouragement for us to offer the grace of Jesus we have been afforded in spite of our sins. Believers in Jesus are accurately accused of pointing fingers in judgment and condescension to those who are suffering in matters regarding the issue of abortion (as well as many others). Please be considerate and sensitive to the hurts of others.
Grace, mercy, and forgiveness…
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Independent Newspaper Nigeria
March 19, 2022, Moscow: President Vladimir Putin was hosting a pro war pep rally. He delivered a speech justifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As stated by Putin, the reason for the “Special Military Operation” is as follows.
“…to get people out of their misery, out of this genocide, that is the main reason, the motive and purpose of the military operation that we began in Donbas and Ukraine,” Russian President Putin.
Putin would later go on to quote Jesus in John 15:13.
‘There is no greater love than if someone gives his soul for his friends,’ Vladimir Putin.
The issue is the translation of one word. Putin used the Russian word душу (dushu). This word is translated as “soul” in English.
John, under the direction of the Holy Spirit utilized the Greek word ψυχή/psuché. Per Strong’s Concordance, the word means breath or the soul.
Yet, our English translators of the English Standard Version, King James Version, and New American Standard Bible use the word “life” in John 15:13. To take it a step further, I could not find one English translation that did not use the word “life”.
I am not questioning Putin’s beliefs. That is between him and his Maker. He claims to be a Russian Orthodox Christian. Historically, Putin states he is not comfortable talking publicly about his beliefs.
Let me be clear. I am not supporting Putin as a Bible scholar or theologian or wordsmith. Putin is quoting the verse within the context of his justification for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an act of love as he sees it.
Look at the context of the verse from the standpoint of Jesus, “Love on another.“
John 15:12-17 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Another practical application of the verses… Russians and Ukrainians, love one another. I currently don’t see much fruit being cultivated with the current geopolitical conflict.
My point is this. Be discerning. Study God’s word and understand it for yourself. Don’t take my word or Putin’s word. Read the Bible and interact with the words. Let the Spirit of God interact and communicate with you personally. Set aside preconceived notions and biases and listen to what is actually being said.
Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ESV
stand firm… In the Greek, this is the word στήκω/stékó. The word is defined as to stand firm and fast, persevere.
Satan is observed to “stand firm” in Revelation. He is locked in with resolution and purpose. He wants to kill Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:4b And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.
As people, we are conflicted with our human nature. There is a battle raging. There is what the flesh wants. And there is what the Spirit of God calls on us to do. Who are we going to serve?
Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
This is a matter of life and death. This choice has spiritual and eternal consequences.
Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
As believers, we are called to “stand firm” in many things. We are to stand firm in prayer. The result should be forgiveness.
Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
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There are consequences for not “standing firm” in the truth. Satan does not stand firm or persevere in truth.
John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
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Believers are called to stand firm in the faith.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
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Many times, those who believe in Jesus Christ are called to stand firm in Him.
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
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We are called to stand firm in the teaching of the Word of God.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
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And in the case of Galatians 5:1 and our freedom in Christ, we are called to have this attitude of “standing firm” against sin.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. NKJV
Then I went into labor. I remember them shackling my ankles to the bed in the delivery room, and the nurse asking, “Do you guys really have to do that?”
The officer said, “She’s ours until that baby comes out and we get the stool sample from the baby to see if it’s positive for cocaine.”
The guard from the county who was with me knew me from my many times in and out of the county jail. While I was in labor she asked me, “So what are you going to do after the baby arrives?”
I said, “I’m homeless. You know I can’t care for a child.” Besides, I was not aware of services.
Sadly, as I look back over my experiences in the years thereafter, I realize that if you aren’t aware of what services you need, they aren’t always offered up freely. So, teaching individuals how to be their own self–advocates is vital. I didn’t even understand that there were services for me to ask for. Who knows if I would have been considered for any of them if I had asked? Regardless, the professionals in contexts like hospitals and courts should freely provide information of suitable services for hurting individuals. This is their right, no matter how far gone they are and no matter how long their brokenness has existed in their life. Everyone should be given enough information to make choices to have help or not. Everyone deserves a fighting chance.
The big baby arrived at last: 9 pounds, 8 ounces. “It’s a girl,” they said.
The doctor said, “Hey, can you take off these shackles? She’s not getting up for a while.”
The guard complied, and then she moved to the other side of the room, close to the door. She picked up the phone and called the judge, then handed the phone to me. The judge said, “Well, honey, the baby is a good, healthy size. I’ll be in touch again when the stool sample comes back.”
After I was cleaned up and showered, I was shackled to the bed again. The baby was in my room. I remember holding her and smelling her.
“You got family?” the nurse asked.
“Not around here,” I answered.
It took some 36 hours for the poop test to be done. There was also a huge amount of paperwork to be taken care of, so I was in the hospital for about two and a half days after the baby was born.
For two and a half days, that little baby shared a hospital room with me, gripping my finger and sleeping on my chest. The nurses would wake me and suggest I place her in her bassinet, but every time I said, “Not yet.” The baby was so warm and smelled so sweet. I shed tears when I spoke to her while I fed her.
The story below is excerpted from my book Cry Purple.
Christine McDonald
Romans 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Life has a way of beating a person down when they think they can’t sink any lower. Such dark moments can squeeze you until you feel there is no hope. But somewhere deep down we all have the tiniest bit of faith that the darkness isn’t supposed to be the norm. Somehow we all have a sense, though perhaps buried, that darkness is the intruder, even if darkness is all we have known. Something in us cries out for the light even if we have never known it.
Photo: Shutterstock
We see these glimmers of hope in the world around us, the sunlight warming our faces, flowers demanding our admiration, a gentle breeze hinting that change will come. It’s easy to take tiny freedoms, these small displays of beauty or simple breezes, for granted. Some of us see change or even our redemption right around the corner. Yet others live on these small moments for years, barely surviving, but surviving all the same.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Genesis 3:6-7 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.
Notice something? Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened at the same time even though Eve ate first.
The command to not eat wasn’t given to Eve. It was given to Adam before Eve was created.
Genesis 2:17-18 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
Photo: Pixabay.com
Eve didn’t disobey a command from God because God didn’t give the command to Eve. Neither was there a command “nor shall you touch it” from God.
Eve’s eyes were opened when Adam disobeyed. Until he ate she was justified by his obedience even though she had sinned.
The Second Adam, Jesus Christ, was obedient to God even until death on a cross. Therefore, His bride the Church is justified by His righteousness in obedience even though the bride has sinned.
It’s not about your unrighteousness because of disobedience, you’re doomed. It’s about His righteousness because of obedience. In Him, we have grace and mercy.
Her sin would be addressed same as the Church’s sin is addressed in Christ.
Sadly, mankind has blamed Eve all this time. The fall of Man was Adam’s fault.
Romans 5:12-21 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned, for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Revelation 3:1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead…
…you have a name…The Greek word is ονομα/onoma. Strong’s Concordance defines onoma as: the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one’s rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.
The church at Sardis thought they were a big deal. They had a lofty impression of their local body. Believers in Sardis had a self-proclaimed reputation of tremendous character. Just ask them. The name of Sardis was full of pride.
“This is the church at Sardis! We are hot stuff and welcome to our exclusive Country Club!”
…that you are alive…The church at Sardis was ζαο/zao in the Greek. The syntax of the verse indicates they viewed themselves in a continual state of greatness. They perceived themselves to have an abundant zeal for Christian living and lifestyle. The local body in Sardis thought they were the model church, refreshing with vitality. Humility was not a strong suit.
Zao is defined as: to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead); to have true life and worthy of the name; active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God; living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul. Metaphorically: to be in full vigor; to be fresh, strong, and efficient. (Strong’s Concordance)
There is how a church or a believer views themselves, then there is how Jesus assesses the situation.
…but you are dead. Jesus said those in Sardis were νεκροσ/nekros. Here is the word defined by Strongs’: One that has breathed his last, lifeless; deceased, departed, one whose soul is in heaven or hell; destitute of life, without life, inanimate. Metaphorically: spiritually dead; destitute of a life that recognizes and is devoted to God, because given up to trespasses and sins; inactive as respects doing right; destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative.
The church at Sardis viewed itself in a continual state of life and living. Jesus viewed the local believers in a continual state of physical and spiritual death. Jesus saw them as a group who had been turned over to their sins. The two views stood in complete, polar opposites.
The practical application for us as believers is to get over our inflated opinions of self. What Jesus thinks of us is more important than how we see ourselves.
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
Genesis 3:6-7 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/731160
