Archive for Psalms

Sin and Health

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Freedom in Christ with tags , , , , , , , , on April 24, 2022 by paulthepoke

Psalm 31:10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.

Do sinful actions affect our health? The unpopular answer in today’s woke, soft culture is… Yes. We fundamentally know this but in general, we do not want to admit it or take responsibility. Pick your vice. Alcohol abuse can lead to a variety of issues including cirrhosis of the liver. A swinger’s lifestyle can lead to ramifications of sexually transmitted diseases. The list is endless. You get the point.

This is a simple truth from God’s word. …my strength fails because of my iniquity… Because of sin, our bodies decline and ultimately die.

my strength fails… One’s ability and strength to complete a task fails or kashal in the Hebrew. The word could be associated with a drunken stupor; to stumble, stagger, totter (Strong’s Concordance). Coordination of tasks goes as well.

The Hebrew word for iniquity is avon. The word defined assumes guilt and a consequence for the action. Definition as stated per Strong’s: iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. There is no question. The action is wrong and justice is coming.

Psalm 32:3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

The body’s condition continues to deteriorate if one does not confess their sin. A lack of confession can be an exacerbation and quickening of the process. The context of the verse from Psalms is iniquity or sin.

For when I kept silent… This personality is not about to admit their short comings. It is probably somebody else’s fault.

Look at the attitude exhibited. There is grumbling and complaining about one’s aches and pains. There is no responsibility assumed for the condition or state one is in. It would appear this is a long term condition. This chronic whining, all day long.

The result, my bones wasted away. This could be both literally and figuratively. One’s literal body deteriorates. The essence of the individual pines and withers away. Body and soul wear out and decay.

Admit you are wrong. You made mistakes (plural). Welcome to the club.

~

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

The verse from James implies sickness of an individual. There is an antidote to consequences of sin on the body in the here and now this side of eternity.

Confess or ἐξομολογέω/exomologeó in the original Greek. Per Strong’s Concordance, I consent fully, agree out and out; I confess, admit, acknowledge (early Hellenistic sense of the middle: acknowledge a debt). Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states: from the heart, freely, or publicly, openly, to profess.

In other words, get your sin out there for all to hear about it. Don’t hold back.

There is a result from confession of sins, …that you may be healed.

The Greek word for healed is ἰάομαι/iaomai. The term is generally associated with Jesus and His ability to supernaturally heal others. There are multiple examples in the gospel accounts of Christ. People recognized Christ’s ability to heal.

Matthew 8:8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.

~

The good news is someday, all of this will be no more. Admit you are a sinner and join Him in His future.

Revelation 21:4-5 …He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.”

~

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

Cherubim: Subject to the LORD

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , , , , , on November 2, 2019 by paulthepoke

Ezekiel 10:4 Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim and stood over the threshold of the temple. The temple was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD.

Positionally, God is above the cherubim. Well of course, the LORD is also over His creation, the nations and kingdoms, Israel, and humanity. This is not a one time observation. The concept is reinforced in Scripture. Cherubim, as well as the rest of creation, are subject to the authority of God. See some more examples below.

Isaiah 37:16 O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth.

Psalm 80:1 Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!

Psalm 99:1 The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!

So what is the big deal, cherubim are subjected to God their creator? In general this is not a problem, except for one…

This formerly anointed cherub is not interested in serving God. He does not want to be an equal to God. His heart is filled with self-regard and has an exaggerated sense of self-importance. He wants to place himself above the LORD of hosts (God’s title as a military commander). This cherub sees himself as a conquering leader and warrior. He wants to subdue and rule over humanity. He sees himself as moral authority. He can do it better than God.

Isaiah 14:12-14 How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

A lot of misery and suffering will continue to occur because of this attitude. But, its time will come to an end…

We All Wear Masks… Christine McDonald

Posted in Christine "Clarity" McDonald, Culture with tags , , , on December 9, 2018 by paulthepoke

MasqueradeWe all wear masks, a façade we can control and manage that tells the world who we are—or at least who we want them to think we are. Yet deep down, our greatest longing is to be known for who we truly are. We want to be seen and accepted for who we are, unfiltered.

As children, we show our true selves with unadulterated abandon. We are full of life, hope, dreams, and open arms. We imagine ourselves as fighter pilots, princesses, doctors, lawyers, nurses, astronauts, or anything else our imaginations can dream up. As we grow older, experiences teach us to show people only the parts of us they can’t hurt, even if they try. Life and growing cynicism stamp out the sky–high dreams we once held. No child says, “I want to be a prostitute, homeless, raped, or addicted when I grow up.”

The most special moments, though, are when we meet someone who truly sees us in spite of our efforts to put up an impenetrable wall. As scary as those moments are, they are the most freeing, too. To have another person validate our uniqueness among humanity breathes value all over our soul. It is as if, in that moment, our Creator whispers through that person, saying, “I still see you and I know you. No matter where you are, you are mine and you are loved.” When David wrote, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14, NIV), he took a moment to see himself as God sees him. He recognized that he was a marvelous creation of a marvelous God.

Christine McDonald

Each person you come into contact with is a marvelous creation of a marvelous God. He or she is dearly and deeply loved by a God who knows us each intimately, even down to the numbers of hairs on our head.

Luke 12:7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

Take a moment today to “see” someone. Loving others is that simple.

“Love your neighbor, all of ’em.” -Christine Clarity McDonald

 

Read more at…

Recovering Compassion

Posted in Christine "Clarity" McDonald with tags , , , , , , on November 2, 2018 by paulthepoke

Psalm 25:6 Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses, for they have been from of old.

Psalm 145:9 The LORD is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.

Daniel 9:9 To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him…

 

“I have been a part of fighting demand since 2007,” Christine Clarity McDonald.

See Christine in this featured story by Fox 4 News in Kansas City, MO. Video provided in the story that aired on television.

https://fox4kc.com/2018/10/29/kansas-leaders-join-growing-number-of-states-working-to-go-after-sex-buyers/

Christine McDonald

Our compassion should be guided by God’s compassion, not dependent on age or gender or how a person got in their situation in the first place. After all, when we engage with these individuals who are over 18 and learn how they entered the world of commercial sexual exploitation, we find that more often than not their victimization began as a child. Why then do we have such a hard time viewing adults as victims and worthy of our love when they are recovered or reach out for services?

It is because we, the outsiders, looking in with our judgments and our continued labels, have built these barriers. These barriers, coupled with the existing internal challenges these individuals face, stand in the way of their chance to soar and flourish into the creatures that our Creator has designed them to be.

compassion

I could go on here, but the point is simple: The hurt caused by trauma is the very same to the prostituted individual as it is to the homeless person, or to the individual suffering from mental illness, or the college student, or the elderly lady down the street, or the professional, or the fellow church members. We must recover compassion.

“Love your neighbor, all of ’em.” -Christine Clarity McDonald

Read more at…

The Age Stigma

Posted in Christine "Clarity" McDonald, Culture, Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on October 26, 2018 by paulthepoke

Psalm 116:5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful.

Psalm 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth.

Featuring Christine Clarity McDonald

Christine McDonald

Finally, let’s touch on the way age factors into people’s categorizations of “worthy versus unworthy victims.” They say the average prostituted person’s life span in the life of prostitution is seven years. If they make it the full seven years, they often end up dead from drug overdose, suicide, or murder. Only a small percent of these individuals will find a way out.

It is also said that the average age of entry into prostitution is around 13. Think about it. If a 13–year–old becomes a prostituted individual and survives seven years, they would only be 20 years old. We, as a society, see a youth in this awful life as a victim, but once they make it to 18, we expect them to somehow break the mental, emotional, and traumatic chains of prostitution and walk away. Once an individual crosses the invisible line of “adulthood,” we no longer view them as victims but as criminals. All compassion or awareness of the horrors they endure seems to disappear at that magical age of 18. Yet it is so much more complicated than that.

child abuse

As I see it, the longer they are in it, the more trauma they have endured and the deeper the hurt. Yet because they didn’t recover at age 15, we say “screw them” when they are 19, or 22, or 36, or older and trying to find a way out. That is not okay. Think about it: Does God place an age limit on His grace in our lives? No, He does not. However, this is not how the majority of our society sees it.

Why is that? Who are we, as a society, as people of faith, and as service providers to determine what age someone is recoverable to begin their healing process? If God sustained them three days, three years, or 33 years in a horrific life of commercial sexual exploitation, then perhaps we should embrace God’s love for them and reflect that love as His children to His children.

“Love your neighbor, all of ’em.” -Christine Clarity McDonald

Read more at…

Please… Mega Quake

Posted in Earthquakes/Volcanoes, Prophecy, Revelation with tags , , , , , , , , , on August 5, 2018 by paulthepoke

Revelation 16:17-20 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found.

 

 

The context of this verse is before the Second Coming of Christ. It occurs near the end of the seven-year Tribulation. The Millennial Kingdom is about to commence. The seventh bowl concludes the judgments upon the earth and humanity.

…and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The last earthquake mentioned in the Bible will be the largest and strongest in the history of humanity. This earthquake will also be the most destructive. The Greek expression of the quake is restated three times. The earthquake is greatness and magnitude upon greatness and magnitude upon greatness and magnitude. The scale and power are larger than the Discovery Channel can imagine. It is the Mega Quake!

tsunami

The great city was split into three parts. The great city is mystery Babylon. Some think the city is a reborn Babylon in modern day Iraq. Others think it is Rome, Italy. Some believe it is Istanbul, Turkey. Mecca, Saudi Arabia is a city on seven hills. Pick your seven hilled city. Conjecture in regards to city is pointless.

…and the cities of the nations fell… All the cities (plural) of the nations (plural) are doomed. The Greek word for “fell” is πιπτο/pipto. Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: to descend from a higher place to a lower; to be thrust down; come to an end, disappear, cease; to lose authority, no longer have force. Metaphorically: to fall under judgment, came under condemnation. “It is done!”

And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. The idea of no more mountains and changed geography is noted in multiple places in the Bible. Revelation is not the only source of this concept.

volcano wall paper

Psalm 97:5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

Psalm 46:6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

Isaiah 24:1 Behold, the LORD lays the earth waste, devastates it, distorts its surface and scatters its inhabitants.

Isaiah 24:19 The earth is utterly broken, the earth is split apart, the earth is violently shaken.

Micah 1:4 And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place.

 

The level of destruction is unimaginable. We cannot comprehend. It says what it says.

 

 

 

Please… We Are All Broken

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 2, 2018 by paulthepoke

Please respond to grace…

2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The Greek word for grace is χάρις/charis. A form of grace is used 157 times in the New Testament texts. Strong’s Concordance defines the word as: as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ; favor; gratitude, thanks; a favor, kindness. HELPS Word-studies views the term as the Lord’s favor, freely extended to give Himself away to people because He is “always leaning toward them”.

darts off target

Grace is receiving an undeserved gift. None of us truly deserve God’s favor. As human beings, we were born in a state of sin. These bodies know nothing but a state of sin. We are not a blank, moral slate born as pure and clean as the wind driven snow. Our sin is not the fault of environmental surroundings. In this life, we are sinners. We should stop blaming others for our short comings. Own it. From our conception, we are ALL under the curse of sin. Always have been, always will be…

Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Job 1:21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Genesis 8:21 And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.

Psalm 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies.

 

None of us are perfect and we all have issues. Some of us out there may think they are flawless or pretty close to it. At the least, they see themselves as better than others. Sorry, there is no sliding scale with sin. The idea that we are all sinners is not a concept noted only in the book of Romans. The idea of being sinful humans is noted across the Bible, even in the Old Testament.

Romans 3:10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one…”

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

Psalm 143:2 Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.

Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?

Ecclesiastes 7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

In this current state of humanity, we are fallen, imperfect people. Get over your bad self. If we are truly honest with ourselves, deep down, we know we don’t cut it with a holy and just God. So… deal with it, we are sinners.

 

Pray For the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana

Posted in Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , on August 27, 2017 by paulthepoke

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 9:9 The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble;

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.

Photo: Rob Lo/Twitter

 

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Our Daily Bread…Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , , , on March 12, 2017 by paulthepoke

pb bread

Here lately, the word fear keeps popping in my head. I tend to overthink too often & that leads to fear. I’m afraid of failure. Afraid of hurt. Afraid because my plans for life haven’t exactly worked out. I have to remind myself to trust in God. There are many scriptures that remind us of his love & to trust Him & His plan. He is a good father. Don’t be afraid.

Have a fearless Monday my friends!!!

Psalm 56:3. When I am afraid, I put trust in you.

Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.

Millennial Kingdom:Geological/Geographical Implications;Greatest Earthquake Ever

Posted in Earthquakes/Volcanoes, Millennial Kingdom, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on June 12, 2016 by paulthepoke

Revelation 16:17-20 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found.

The context of this verse is before the Second Coming of Christ. It occurs near the end of the seven year Tribulation. The Millennial Kingdom is about to commence. The seventh bowl concludes the judgments upon the earth and humanity.

…and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The last earthquake mentioned in the Bible will be the largest and strongest in the history of humanity. This earthquake will also be the most destructive. The Greek expression of the quake is restated three times. The earthquake is greatness and magnitude upon greatness and magnitude upon greatness and magnitude. The scale and power are larger than the Discovery Channel can imagine. It is the Mega Quake!

The great city was split into three parts. The great city is mystery Babylon. Some think the city is a reborn Babylon in modern day Iraq. Others think it is Rome. Some believe it is Istanbul, Turkey. Mecca, Saudi Arabia is a city on seven hills. Pick your seven hilled city. Conjecture in regards to city is pointless.

…and the cities of the nations fell… All the cities (plural) of the nations (plural) are doomed. The Greek word for “fell” is πιπτο (pipto). Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: to descend from a higher place to a lower; to be thrust down; come to an end, disappear, cease; to lose authority, no longer have force.  Metaphorically: to fall under judgment, came under condemnation. “It is done!”

And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. The idea of no more mountains and changed geography is noted in multiple places in the Bible. Revelation is not the only source of this concept.

Psalm 97:5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

Psalm 46:6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

Isaiah 24:1 Behold, the LORD lays the earth waste, devastates it, distorts its surface and scatters its inhabitants.

Isaiah 24:19 The earth is utterly broken, the earth is split apart, the earth is violently shaken.

Micah 1:4 And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place.

The level of destruction is unimaginable. We cannot comprehend. It says what it says.

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