Scripture for Today

A Debate on AI – the REAL Issue

So I decided to comment on Elon Musk’s warnings about AI on Lance Wallnau’s Facebook page. For the most part I said we’ll never see true AI. And I added that any AI that does emerge can be no better than the programmer’s involved. This is true of any software. Call it what you will, any AI program is a program. It’s software. Can it learn? Certainly it can, but this so-called “learning” does not make it sentient and that is the sort of AI everyone wants to extrapolate this concept to. It ain’t happening. That doesn’t mean one or more programming groups can’t or won’t develop dangerous AI wannabe programs. More than likely they will. But there is a bigger issue at state.

GOD.

All this hand-wringing over AI diverts focus from the things of God. Let the non-Christians fret over AI, we Christians have more pressing issues at hand. Christ is coming. When? I don’t know. No man does. Jesus said so himself so it is not for us to know. What should we do instead? Whatever God calls us to do. Me? I’m posting, praying, studying, and whatever other godly tasks come my way. What about you?

Battlefield Earth Part 2 – We Are Soldiers in a Spiritual War

In Part 1 – Overview of Battlefield Earth, I laid out a bird’s eye view of the war we are facing right now. While this war has raged for centuries, the battlefield has spread to nearly every corner of the earth. Why? Because man has spread to every corner of the earth.

We humans do not see many of these battles happening around us as warlike. Instead we point to armed combatants facing off to kill each other. That’s war… isn’t it? Is it? What about the invasion of our southern borders? What about the millions struggling with addiction? What about those little battles at your office? Lives are at stake. Even the most imperceptible disagreement can start a ripple that fuels a Tsunami. Asked the relatives of those employees killed by a crazed co-worker. The trouble is, you may never know until you are looking certain death in the face.

From up on high, we can see how evil invades every aspect of our lives, from the White House and the Halls of Congress to the break room at work. Even, or maybe especially, churches are lulled into false doctrines. From the books of Acts, Corinthians, and Galatians in particular, we learn the body of Christ was attacked and divided early on. Today the body of Christ is splintered into thousands of sects or denominations. Is this what God wanted for Christians? I’m not buying it. Rather, this is the result of endless attacks on the truth by the devil himself.

While this spiritual war encompasses the entire planet and invades our lives at every level, we need not feel overwhelmed. Nor should we despair. We know how it all turns out. God has revealed this to us. He wins. WE win. All we need to do is win the territory we stand on.

As I write this, the conflict in Ukraine rages on while China threatens Taiwan. How do these faraway conflicts threaten you personally? Unless your boots are on the ground in these or some other hot spot, chances are your life is not likely to be directly affected. You’ve got other things to worry about… right? Of course you do, that’s the point. Those crime waves in Chicago or New York only matter if you live in or near the affected areas. For those of us blessed to be insulated from such troubles, we still are never immune from attacks from the dark side. Like it or not, the spiritual world war is at your own doorstep. Actually, as you are reading this, the war has invaded your living space. Turn on your television or radio, open your mail, open any web page and you are sure to find an evil influence somewhere. What about this blog? You are not inundated with ads. I don’t do “click bait”. You aren’t even asked to “subscribe” to anything. It is about as clean a website as you’ll find anywhere. Am I immune from deception? I doubt it. While I will never, EVER knowingly post or allow any overt or covert ungodly material, I cannot guarantee you won’t ever find any here. Nor can I explicitly say I never have, or ever will post anything that is inaccurate or untrue. I do my very best but I am human and therefore fallible. And I’m sure some of my Christian brethren would point out (some gleefully) some doctrinal “heresies” I’ve posted. For one thing, I do not believe in a trinity. This alone separates me from, I’d say, 90+ percent of Christianity. I will stand by my understanding until God sees fit to change it.

My point in the above paragraph is nobody can escape this war. You cannot hide from it. It is invasive. Of course you can passively resist or refuse to participate. As the quote often attributed to Edmund Burke states:

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Of course evil will never triumph in the long run, but are you willing to allow it to rampage? It’s easy enough to nod your head or shake it and click your way to a more comfortable topic. If you are still reading, chances are you at least want to know what you can do. That’s the easy part. Paradoxically, it is also the most difficult. Easy as in, you need not quit work, pack your bags, or buy a ticket to ride. In fact, you already have everything you need if you have accepted Christ as your savior.

2 Corinthians 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

What about gear? Don’t we need gear?

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Fact is, we have it all. We are battle ready right now.

Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

What about training? It’s one thing to “have it all” it is quite another to know what to do with it. Quite right. That is the hard part. You see, we have it all. In fact, if you think about it, we have far more than those brethren in Christ the Apostle Paul was writing to. In order to get a really good handle on this, you’ll need to imagine those times. They had no internet, no telephones or any of the speedy advantages we enjoy today. Travel was slow, often taking days, weeks or months. Communication was by word of mouth and/or hand-delivered letters (epistles).

Take the epistle to the Ephesians for example. It was hand-delivered. According to my understanding, it was delivered by two of Paul’s appointees who also were able to clarify any difficult parts. Other than living in a culture we barely understand, this was one of their few advantages. Of course they spoke the language and no doubt at least some of them could read the epistle themselves. Not to mention, they were blessed with the original letter itself or at least an exact copy. One other thing, it seems many of these letters were “circular epistles”, meaning they were shared with other groups.

2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

This letter from Peter was written to “to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”. Who were these believers? It’s hard to say for sure but what we can derive from the passage above is some churches had more the one of Paul’s epistles, as well as this letter of Peter’s. Thus the Ephesians may have also seen the epistles to the Corinthians or the Thessalonians and such. We do not know. What we can be confident in the understanding that the Ephesians had, at the very least, the letter addressed to them. Other than direct teaching by the Apostle Paul and others taught directly by him, their advantages were few.

Fast forward to the present. We have seven church epistles, the gospels, as well as other instruction. Plus we have the “Old Testament”, the Hebrew bible, so to speak. We also enjoy a host of luxurious resources the early church could never even imagine. The downside is, we’ve had centuries of wrong teaching. From the very first, the devil has worked hard to corrupt God’s truth. By the time the Nicene Creed was first accepted in the third century, our understanding was almost hopelessly scrambled to the end that, even today, the Nicene Creed, is considered a standard by many – so much so that any Christian who dares question it is considered a heretic. For the recorded, I not only question it, but I reject it, or at least the parts referring to trinitarian doctrine – “one God in three persons” and “God the Son”, as neither of these terms are found anywhere in scripture. For anyone who cares to seek out a better understanding of that period in history…

One fascinating little book “When Jesus Became God” is an excellent read. It is authored by a non-practicing Jewish historian who delved into the events of the third century. Naturally, as a non-trinitarian, I eagerly devoured the book in hopes of finding vindication of my beliefs from a neutral source. In that I was disappointed. The author remained neutral on the topic and presented no evidence to shore up either side of the debate. What he did demonstrate was how utterly confused both sides were on the topic. My own conclusion could be summed up as, “they were all nuts!”. Okay, maybe that’s a bit harsh, but seriously, I came away thinking both sides had abandoned any real study of the scriptures/letters/resources they had and instead built their spiritual houses on sandy beaches. The really sad thing is, they were far more likely to have enjoyed access to much earlier copies of the letters we have now, if not the originals.

Coming back to the present, we should at least recognize the differences and the challenges we face today, as well as what Christians in the early church dealt with. Most importantly, we should recognize the great gift of “The Holy Bible” we now enjoy, not to mention the study aids we have to dig in. What good is that?

It is the counter to the devil’s propaganda campaign. ALL of the devil’s lies can be dealt with using this one, easy to access, collection of truth. It is a training manual and reference guide all in one. It is the “sword of the spirit”. It is readily available in several formats and languages. We can even access these truths from a cell phone almost anywhere in the world.

BUT! I’M NO EVANGELIST! You say

Neither am I. At least, at this point, I am reasonably certain God has not tapped me to evangelize in the traditional sense of the word. Scripturally, God identifies five of what some term “gift ministries” – apostles, preachers, teachers, prophets and evangelists for certain. (Ephesians 4:11) Are there more? Probably. If I have any calling at all, it is to write. At least writing is something that I am inclined to do and I’ve done a great deal of it. While some cringe at the thought of a keyboard, I itch to sit down and start typing. The fact is, “gift ministry” or not, God has called each of us for a purpose.

Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

God knew who and what we were before the world began. He had already made a place for us, called us and did so for a reason. God does nothing haphazardly. Why should He? He knows exactly how each action will affect every other action. That is part of what makes Him God. He knew before the foundation of the world you would read this now and what you will do with what you read. So… what is your place? What are you suppose to do?

1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

We are all members of the body of Christ. I have never seen myself as some “great one”. (Okay, so I have dreamed a bit but we’re talking realistically here. I also dream of winning a big lottery now and then.) Sometimes I wonder if anyone ever reads what I write. I certainly never made enough to live, must less retire on. Still I write. Some of my siblings in Christ not only write, but they preach, have huge ministries and/or make big bucks with their works. One thing I can tell you for sure, they do not do what I do. They have their place, I have mine. So be it. If I’ve been so dull all these years as to miss opportunities God as laid right out in front of me, then one day I’ll know. Meanwhile I’m content to understand that if God REALLY wanted me to do something else, He’d find a way. Ask Moses or Jonah.

One thing is for sure, it is not my job to tell you what to do with your life. I can only bring you so far. You’ll need to check with the Boss for further instructions. Oh, I’m not through with you yet, but I’m just saying, my offerings are more general in nature. Speaking of that…

On to Part 3. Now here’s some godly insight, when I first started typing this series of posts, I had no idea there would be anything beyond the first post. In fact that first post is not even the first draft. I wrote half a book before I stopped (okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little here), outlined the important parts, and started from scratch. So Part 3 will offer some more specifics (generally speaking 🙂 on how to put all this together and jump into the battle. A hint here, you’ve already started, or at least you have enough to get started. I expect some of you are way ahead of me and are moving ahead. If this is you I can only advise you to go where God leads you. It’s not my place to hold anyone back.

Below Psalm 28 is posted in both KJV and WEB formats followed by my observations and where they led me.

KJV

Psalms 28:1 Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.
4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
5 Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
6 Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
8 The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

WEB (World English Bible)

Psalms 28:1 To you, Yahweh, I call. My rock, don’t be deaf to me; Lest, if you are silent to me, I would become like those who go down into the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, When I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
3 Don’t draw me away with the wicked, With the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbors, But mischief is in their hearts.
4 Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve.
5 Because they don’t regard the works of Yahweh, Nor the operation of his hands, He will break them down and not build them up.
6 Blessed be Yahweh, Because he has heard the voice of my petitions.
7 Yahweh is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him.
8 Yahweh is their strength. He is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed.
9 Save your people, And bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, And bear them up forever.

I almost posted the previous Psalm (27) instead of this one. Psalm 27 is one of my favorites. There is so much to draw from it. I include verse 11 or a paraphrase of it anyway in my daily prayers:

11 Teach me your way, Yahweh. Lead me in a straight path, because of my enemies.

Why post both KJV and WEB versions? The King James is my “go to” – it is the bible I read every day. More specifically, I read one particular publication, “The Companion Bible” by E.W. Bullinger. This title was first published over 100 years ago. I like it because Bullinger was an exceptional scholar and his Companion Bible offers a great deal of insight via his notes and the appendixes. In this version he always prints the Hebrew word YHWH as LORD. At the time, the scholarly translation was Jehovah. I believe the current rendering of YHWH as “Yahweh”, a phonetic spelling is more accurate. Why is this important? YHWH, or Yahweh, is the proper name of God Almighty. His only begotten Son has a proper name. In English it is “Jesus”. As for the name YHWH, the WEB version translates it into a pronounceable name and treats it as God’s proper name. While I often transition the word “LORD” accurately in my head, I think it is important to offer a plain rendering for anyone who prefers not to practice my kind of mental gymnastics. Besides that, the WEB is a fairly decent rendering for the most part while presenting a version of scripture that is easier to read.

Do note that other words in scripture is also rendered “lord”, with and without caps, and as such, words with completely different meanings are jumbled together so as to dilute the true magnificence of God’s Word.

As for my comments on this passage, my focus today leans more towards those described as “wicked” here. These are also referred to as “workers of iniquity”. Here the references begin in verse 3…

Psalms 28:3 Don’t draw me away with the wicked, With the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbors, But mischief is in their hearts.

By asking Yahweh not to draw David away with the wicked he, of course, implies the wicked will be drawn away. Away from what? Away from whom? There is no answer to the question of “where” but it is logical to ascertain the wicked would be drawn away from those who are not wicked. So far so good.

Next, we are faced with another challenge as the word “the wicked”is now coupled with “the workers of iniquity”. Notice the word “with”. It appears twice. Huh. So are the “wicked” the “workers of iniquity” or another group? I must admit I got stuck on this for a moment. I almost simply declared “what’s the difference, really?” and moved on. Then I realized God, does not use words idly. He is not at all haphazard in His usage. Thus I decided it was worth a bit more effort to find out. The results were no less than enlightening

The word for “wicked” in the Hebrew is “rasa” (pronounced raw-shaẃ for some reason) it mostly means “guilty one” as in guilty of sin against God or man. It also means “hostile to God”. Hmmm. Okay, this word seems pretty straightforward. Onward.

The phrase “workers of iniquity” is comprised of two words – pa-al, meaning to do or make – and aven. Aven is where things get interesting, but only after digging a bit deeper. Mostly it is defined as trouble, wickedness, sorrow, or idolatry. The root word is not used but it means “to pant”. In this respect it is linked to Ecclesiastes where it says “everything is vanity”. How is it linked? Vanity can be understood as “vapor”. Now consider the more modern phrase “huffing and puffing”, or how about “nothingburger”?

Now consider the rest of the verse: “Psalms 28:3 …who speak peace with their neighbors, But mischief is in their hearts”

They talk of peace but they want mischief. Would it be safe to say this pretty much sums up the globalists, the media, and everyone else seemingly bent on tearing down this nation? Climate change, white supremacy, racism, the list goes on for pages. What little truths proponents manage to sprinkle into their rhetoric are either inconsequential or blown far out of proportion and nearly entirely encompassed by lies. In the end, nothing but vapor comes from their mouths.

The next verse urges God to give them their due. I’ll leave it at that. The following verse states that because they do not regard Yahweh, He will break them down and not build them up. Now, take a moment and consider those thoughts. Did those people David wrote of deserve what they got? Maybe even more? After all God is merciful.

What about you? Do you regard God? What of our nation? How much do we, as a people, regard God? For most I would say God is a mere afterthought, if He is thought of at all. We go about our days, live our lives, send our kids off to school, go to our jobs, stop at the supermarket, take our children to afterschool activities, and maybe watch some television. Surely anyone whose life resembles part or all of these daily activities are not “wicked”, but how much do we regard God?

Now some of you reading this may be active in their church. If you are doing good as a result, I commend you. For those who are doing everything they can, I’ve got news for you, God has bigger plans for you. I would ask you to look around you. How many others are living similar lives? I’m not asking you to judge, just take notice. Jesus said “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few”. Count yourself blessed to be one of the labourers.

As a nation we not only do NOT “regard” God but many are intent on driving God out of our nation entirely. The globalists’ goal is to replace the One True God,Yahweh, with a one-world government. I can almost see some of you scoffing but take heed – what did the communists do in the former USSR? What are the Chinese doing today? I’ll tell you right here and now, communism is nothing more than a thinly veiled tool of the globalists. The end game is the same – one government to rule us all.

What can we, as Christians do? Speak out. Hold forth the truth. What you should NOT do is “speak out against”.

First and foremost, get right with God.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Do you believe that God is? Can you honestly say you trust Him… no matter what is going on around us? Do you believe God will reward you if you diligently seek Him? Do you even want to please Him?

Are you ready to make a real commitment to God? I’m not talking about the “starting to go back to church again” kind of commitment. By all means do that if you aren’t already and seek out more opportunities to spend time with your siblings in Christ, but I’m talking about your own personal walk. Are you committed to seeking out God on a daily basis in prayer and reading scripture? Do NOT give me “I don’t have time.” nonsense. Rather, think about looking the Creator of the heavens and earth in the face and explaining how you were “too busy” to seek Him out. I’ll wait.

Let me be blunt. Unless you are fully persuaded God is real, He is in control, and His Word is truth and relevant to our lives today, you aren’t ready to step out, much less step up.

For those who have gotten this far, pray for God to open up opportunities for you. Ask Him to put you in the game. You need not look far. In the words of Lewis B. Chesty Puller, USMC

“All right, they’re on our left, they’re on our right, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us…they can’t get away this time”

EXPECTATIONS

What can you expect to happen? This, I cannot say because I do not know. From my own life, I can say I haven’t made any big splashes. It would be nice if I were able to say that, at least, I’ve lived a good and sinless life these past 40+ years. I cannot say that at all. Every day I find myself before God acknowledging my need for forgiveness. Even so, I am a better person than I was four decades ago. I am a better person today than I was yesterday. With all of that said, I can safely say that while my life would never be called exemplary in my Christian walk, I have from time to time been able to muster up some instances of positive influence. The least of which is this blog, mostly because I cannot say for sure anyone has actually read my postings and came out the better for them. Still, I write and post. What I can point to is some of the people I’ve been blessed to have crossed paths with. While I haven’t kept score, I strongly suspect I’ve gained more than I’ve given, but who can say what effect we’ve had on others in the long view? It’s easy to see some of the impact my wife has had on others and much of that impact is a direct result of my influence on her.

The bottom line here is while someone reading this may go on to do great things in God’s name, and even point to something read here as inspiration, no human can say for sure how my scribblings might be received when I post them. My goal is to do today what I feel led to do rather than launch some mighty ministry intending to change the world. For all I know, that kind word I had for some person in passing will yield bushels of fruit while this entire blog ends up being no more than a puff in the wind.

The same goes for you. God, Yahweh, is working in you right here, right now. What you accomplish is up to Him. All you need to concern yourself with is those things you can do right now.

James 5:16b The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

One of the most sneered at actions one can do is prayer. Who sneers at them? Non-believers scorn prayer, yet God places great emphasis on it. Where do you stand on this? Do you scoff? Or do you believe “that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”?

“But… I’m nobody special!” Oh really? How so? Did not Yahweh choose you “before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love”? Nobody expects you to be the next Paul of Tarsus or Billy Graham. If you are not, that doesn’t mean you have no place in God’s Kingdom.

1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

This entire passage refers to the “body of Christ” – that’s you, me and all of our brothers and sisters in Christ since that day at Pentecost. We all have our place in the body. Every. Single. Person. God chose us for a reason – His reason. Who are we to question Him?

Stepping back and looking at the bigger picture, I see our nation poised for revival. I see a massive outpouring of God’s Word and God’s grace upon our nation. Will this be enough to restore our nation or will our nation fall to the globalists? I cannot say. It doesn’t matter. What matters is for each of us to get right with God, seek Him out and endeavor to live a life pleasing unto Him. I am convinced there are many, many of His children in this nation who are ready to turn to Him. What part will you play?

Scripture to Ponder – PSALM 28 – I’ll Come Back to This With Comments

KJV

WEB (World English Bible)

While The Election Fog Clears – A Word for Today

This is the Psalm that came up in my daily reading this morning. I’m posting it in its entirety in the World English Bible (WEB) version. The WEB is not only a reasonably accurate version but it also renders our Heavenly Father’s proper name correctly – at least in most cases. I cannot vouch for every instance. Consider these words in light of this election cycle.

Psalms 25:1 (By David.) To you, Yahweh, do I lift up my soul.
2 My God, I have trusted in you, Don’t let me be shamed. Don’t let my enemies triumph over me.
3 Yes, no one who waits for you shall be shamed. They shall be shamed who deal treacherously without cause.
4 Show me your ways, Yahweh. Teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth, and teach me, For you are the God of my salvation, I wait for you all day long.
6 Yahweh, remember your tender mercies and your loving kindness, For they are from old times.
7 Don’t remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. Remember me according to your loving kindness, For your goodness’ sake, Yahweh.
8 Good and upright is Yahweh, Therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.
9 He will guide the humble in justice. He will teach the humble his way.
10 All the paths of Yahweh are loving kindness and truth To such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name’s sake, Yahweh, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
12 What man is he who fears Yahweh? He shall instruct him in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease. His seed shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of Yahweh is with those who fear him. He will show them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever on Yahweh, For he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged. Oh bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my travail. Forgive all my sins.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many. They hate me with cruel hatred.
20 Oh keep my soul, and deliver me. Let me not be disappointed, for I take refuge in you.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for you.
22 Redeem Israel, God, Out all of his troubles.

Note the last verse specifically asks God to redeem Israel. As far as I’m concerned this takes nothing away from applying these things to our nation today. The biggest difference, of course, is David still looked for the Messiah while we need only look for Jesus’ return.

Piercing the Darkness

Before I begin, “Piercing the Darkness” is also the title of a Christian novel by Frank Peretti. It is an excellent read that, along with his previous novel, “This Present Darkness” is written from a spiritual as well as a human perspective. Other than the title, today’s post has little in common with Mr. Peretti’s work other than being written from a Christian perspective.

Today’s topic might be summed up with yet another story, a riddle actually, whose author is unknown to me. While the basic premise is similar, I rather strayed somewhat. You be the judge.

It seems there was a man on his deathbed who had accumulated a great deal of wealth. He had been an honest and honorable man throughout his life. Now he was faced not only with his own passing, but the task of choosing a successor from among his three grown children. While he felt they were all worthy in their own way, he didn’t want to play favorites, nor did he wish to induce jealousy among them. After praying about it, he decided gave them a riddle to solve. The child with the best solution would inherit the bulk of his estate and assume leadership of his companies. He called them to his bedside, and handed each an envelope.

“Each envelope contains a $100 dollar bill. I want each of you to take that money and use part or all of it to fill my room. I will evaluate your solution based on two criteria. First, whatever you use to fill the room should represent how you will run my companies. Second, you will need to account for what you spent and what, if anything, is left over. The child who provides the best solution will take my place in my companies and inherit the bulk of my estate.”

His eldest child returned first. With a flair, he handed his father the $100 bill. He opened the door and motioned for someone to come in. One after another, people entered with flowers. The parade stopped when no more flowers could be brought in.

“As you can see, Father, I didn’t spend a penny!”

“So where did all of these flowers come from?”

“From our warehouse of course! I remembered one of our companies distributes flowers wholesale. As you can see, I intend to run our companies by bringing wonderful color and cheer everywhere.”

“Hmmm, you say you didn’t spend a penny?” his father said, “Who paid for the flowers and the labor to bring them here.”

“I… I guess the company did.” His eldest looked at his shoes. “I didn’t think of that. I spent thousands to save $100, didn’t I?”

His father just nodded. “Please remove these flowers.”

“As long as they are here, how about I donate them to the hospital auxiliary to distribute to other patients and staff? At least then I can write the expense off.”

“That should work.”

The flowers were just cleared out when the man’s second child entered. She had a box under one arm and was pulling a tank with the other hand. She opened the box and began filling balloons with helium.

She explained as she filled balloons. “I used most of the money on the balloons and the helium, Dad. Each balloon has a positive message and that’s how I’ll run the companies – by being positive and resourceful.”

Before long the room was nearly filled with balloons and the box was empty.

Her father nodded. “Well, you filled the room all right, but I can’t see anything anymore. Can I ask you one thing?”

“Of course.”

“Now what?”

His daughter’s face fell. “I don’t know. I suppose I need to get these balloons out of here. I’ll take them down to the children’s wing. I’m sure they’ll love them.”

“Good idea.”

The balloons were gone. In came the youngest child.

She smiled shyly at her father before pulling his beside table to the center of the room. She set a candle on the table. She lit the candle and flipped the switch by the door. Light filled the room.

“Daddy, I’m sorry I don’t have any money left. I bought the candle and the candlestick at a thrift shop for one dollar. But while I was looking for it, I noticed a young woman with two children looking at clothes. One of them kept crying saying she was hungry. The younger child had her eyes on a yellow dress. It was worn but in decent condition. I saw the tears in her mother’s eyes as she told her child it was very pretty be she needed clothes for school more. The girl nodded, her lips quivered, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the dress.”

“I couldn’t help myself. I stepped over and told the little girl I too thought the dress was beautiful. I said I know a little girl just like her who would love it but her parents couldn’t afford it. Would she mind if I bought it for her. Her eyes widened and she broke into big smile. She said yes, she just know that poor little girl would just love it.”

I took the dress and found the candle. At the counter, the cashier gave me a funny look when I broke the $100 bill to pay for the candle and then used my credit card to pay for the dress and then asked for separate bags. The little girl cried with delight when she realized I was giving her the dress. I gave the change along with all the cash I had to the woman. I handed her my card and told her if she was looking for work to call me. I’d find something for her. I hope that was all right.”

Her father held out his arms. “Honey, the light from that candle filled the room better than anything but the light in you will light up the world.”

* * *

This was not what I had in mind when I set out to recount the story. I can only give credit to God for this as it brought tears to my own eyes as I wrote it. While I have to admit, I generally like my own prose, I can’t remember ever getting emotional about it.

Not long ago, I heard a preacher say love is not about how you feel, it is about what you do. The young daughter in the story above demonstrated exactly that. Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment.

Matthew 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Love God. Love your neighbor. Those two commandments supersede all the rest, but how do we love God and love our neighbors? How will others see our light?

We are told not to put our light under a bushel but on a candlestick as did the young lady above.

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

It is often said people judge us Christians by what they see rather then what we say. They look at the example we set. They observe how we act and how we react.

Look around you. Our nation is overshadowed by a great cloud of darkness. God is denied, defamed and disregarded everywhere. Christians are targeted and, yes, even thrown in prisons for standing for what we believe to be right. Others are fired from their jobs for their beliefs or for simply praying to God. This darkness is encompassing us. It is suffocating our nation, but it has a weakness. That weakness is light.

Light will pierce darkness every time. Light dispels darkness.

Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Our nation can once again shine as a beacon, a light unto the world. That light needs to shine from us because we are the children of light. This is the light that will pierce the darkness. Return unto God. Let your light shine.

Shocking Revelation on Fox News

On September 16, 2022, Pete Hegseth, sitting in for Jesse Waters, boldly proclaimed the base cause of our nation’s ills and what we must do to get back on track. In short, we have turned our back on God. If we are to reclaim our nation we must first seek out God Almighty. I was amazed to see this pronounced on one of the most popular shows on cable television. I still have my differences with Fox News but I am grateful for this message.

For anyone who has visited this blog before, there’s a good chance you’ve seen firsthand how much I am in agreement with Mr. Hegseth. Of course, my very premise that our very nation, our Constitutional Republic itself is a gift from God Almighty is where I prefer to begin any dialogue.

Among Christians, we like to say “God is in control”. Indeed He is but we often stop short of this admission particularly when circumstances are going against us. While we might thank God for Donald Trump, do we also thank Him for Joe Biden? Believe me when I tell you, this last is not at all easy for me either. Think hard on this… is God only in control when things are good? Of course not. God doesn’t suddenly “lose control”. Even if Joe Biden ultimately succeeds in utterly destroying this nation, giving away our sovereignty to the United Nations or China, God will still be in control. Where does that leave us?

Consider the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah in the time of the prophet Jeremiah. At this time, God’s chosen people were split into two separate kingdoms. Both were ruled by evil kings. God was in control. Jeremiah and other prophets of his time warned God’s people to repent of their sins and turn back to God or their kingdoms would fall to Babylon. Neither kingdom heeded his words. Instead Jeremiah was imprisoned for his message. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple built by Solomon, As prophesied, he took both kingdoms captive. What was their sin?

Mostly, they turned their back on God. Certainly they were guilty of a wide range of trespasses but the one straw that broke the camel’s back was they worshiped other gods. He likened it to someone divorced his wife and she went and married another:

Jeremiah 3:1 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.

Still, God said, even though His people did worse than that, He would still forgive them. Time and time again, God pleaded with His people to return to Him. All would be forgiven. Time and time again, they rejected him. Compare this with the parable Jesus related, often referred to as the prodigal son (though it may be better referred to as the forgiving father.):

Luke 15:11 He said, “A certain man had two sons.

12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ He divided his livelihood between them.

Read the record for yourself if need be but the story goes that the son returned intending to beg to be granted the humble place of a servant. His father would not hear of that but instead slew the fatted calf and threw a party to welcome him home.

If Israel and Judah had returned to God, He would have welcomed them also. He said as much. Nebuchadnezzar would not have invaded and conquered these kingdoms. All would have turned out far differently. How so? We cannot know. Only God would know what could have been. Similarly, if Israel had not rejected Jesus, if they had taken the Messiah to heart and welcomed him instead of calling for him to be crucified, this world would be very different today. Speaking of today, let us fast forward to our present condition.

As Pete Hegseth stated in his segment, our nation was formed by godly men who clearly believed this nation would prosper as long as we followed God. He showed a chart where just one generation, a bit more than twenty years ago, over 90% claimed to be Christians. Today, this number has dropped to 67%. Hegseth cites a Pew Research study. While I personally doubt very much that 90% of our nation claimed Christ in my lifetime, I’ll go with this as the actual numbers are not all that relevant. More important is the fact that so many of our nation has turned from God and from His Christ. I’ve talked with more than one Christian who admits they don’t believe in God’s Word, the Bible. How can this be? Have they not read what God says about his own Word?

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Psalms 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

It is simple, either one believes the above verses or they don’t. If the verses above are true then God’s Word is true. After that, the only problem we face is discerning between God’s Word as He originally gave it and that which was corrupted by man. While this is no easy task, well more than enough of God’s Word remains clear so we can accept Jesus as Lord and live a decent life.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Pete Hegseth called for a revival. I agree. If our nation is to be saved, WE must be saved from the wrath to come. WE must turn to God Almighty. WE must become the prodigal sons and daughters. For those of us who have accepted Jesus as Lord and believe God has raised him from the dead, we must speak out. We must boldly proclaim the truth so others may hear and believe.

If you do not believe God’s Word is true, I suggest you start reading and studying it for yourself. For those who find the King James English too intimidating, I suggest trying the World English Bible (WEB). Not only is it easier to read but it is known to be quite accurate as to how God’s Word is rendered. My own preference for the KJV stems from my own longtime use of this version and the fact that the Strong’s numbering system makes for far easier study of individual words. All my study materials are linked to the KJV. That said, I very much like the WEB version and I often refer to it when I want to see a passage rendered a bit differently.

Siblings in Christ, I urge you to actively seek out our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus the Messiah. Study God’s Word. Fellowship with other believers. Forsake your sins. Ask God for guidance and forgiveness regularly. Speak the truth with all boldness.

One other note on Pete Hegseth’s segment. Pete made a point to say he asked for forgiveness every day. He admitted that, though he has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and he is saved from the coming wrath, he is far from perfect. This confession raised my assessment of the man to new heights. Plainly speaking, I found myself nodding my head in agreement. It is a struggle we all have as Christians. Those on the outside looking in seem to expect us to be above reproach in all matters. This is rarely if ever true, certainly not in my own case. I too need to come before God several times daily to ask for forgiveness though I accepted Christ more than four decades ago. One might think someone like myself has this whole “Christianity thing” down by now. They are wrong. I’m still learning, still growing, still fighting my sinful nature. I will likely continue my own struggles until the day I die. Do not let your sins stand before you and our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus. Jesus died for our sins and God raised him for our justification. He made us righteous so we may stand before Him without any sense of sin, guilt, or condemnation. I still find this hard to wrap my head around but I know this is true because God says so. More than that He said:

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

God IS in control. HE “chose us before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love”. Accept that. Believe it. Stand on it. Then go forth and tell the world.

Substack article for Thursday: Evil Always Lusts for Power

My latest substack article was just posted for GOD and the Republic

Evil Always Lusts for Power

Understand this and so much becomes clear

Evil is rampant here and all over the world. Why? It’s not hard to understand, so many simply do not think about it.

Please share and subscribe if you like what you see!

The First Adam

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

For years I’ve listened to non-believers state they cannot believe mankind began with Adam and Eve. The account in Genesis is simply too far fetched to be credible. My question is… what is the alternative? Evolution? While the idea of a supernatural being creating a man and a woman, putting them in a garden and instructing them to “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” seems hard to grasp for some, once I thought about it, I had a real hard time wrapping my head around any alternative. Think about it.

Lets talk about genus. A genus is a scientific classification. A quick search online yields this definition: “a principal taxonomic category that ranks above species and below family…” Now here’s the thing about genus – different genera cannot interbreed. Yes, you can cross a horse with a donkey and produce a mule but mules cannot reproduce to breed more mules. It stops there. Interbreeding within a species is possible, thus we have terriers and dobermans, but they are the same genus.

How does man fit into this? All humans are Homos. The genus is Homo. Modern humans are classified as Homo Sapiens to distinguish us from previous species. The question is where did the genus “Homo” derive from? According to my understanding of evolution theory, all life evolved from a single-celled entity. Every new genus would have to evolve from a current genus. How would that work… exactly? Mutation is the answer I’ve always heard. So let’s jump the ladder from that “first life” and go directly to man, the Homo genus.

What genus did the Homo genus evolve from? How would that have happened? Because when it comes right down to it, the process would likely be the same no matter the genus, lets just say we came from the genus Simia or apes. How would that work? Consider the mutation idea. Let’s say a female in a group of apes produced the first Homo baby. Wonderful. A new genus is born. For the new genus to reproduce it would have to mate with another of the same genus. Okay, so lets just say somehow a female in this same group of apes gave birth to another Homo baby. One of these babies was male and the other female. For the sake of simplicity, lets suppose they both had the same parents. Yes, I know, incest is taboo, but it happens. Besides, I’m sure they wouldn’t know any better.

So here you have the first human Homos. Male and female. Now, I suppose it is possible that the same Mom and Dad ape produced more mutant offspring. Maybe they had a whole bunch of mutant kids. Who am I to judge? Now for this to happen, each mutant baby would have to have exactly the same genetic makeup of the new genus. Fraternal twins maybe? It cannot be maternal twins as these are always the same gender. To produce fraternal twins, two eggs would need to be fertilized by two sperm. Both the eggs and the sperm would have to contain the same mutation that produced the mutant. This alone seems like a pretty tall order.

What is the alternative in this scenario? Well, maybe Daddy ape had the mutant gene and he spread it around the group. Okay, so that is possible. Again, this mutant gene would have to be dominant and it would have to impart the essence of the new genus. Otherwise this mutant gene would have to spontaneously erupt in multiple locations and somehow these Homos would have to find each other to reproduce. Now that stretches the most active of imaginations.

Let’s just go with the mutant Daddy gene idea for the moment. Daddy is prolific and he’s making Homo babies like crazy. Let’s say he’s got twenty kids. Just for kicks, let’s suppose only one is a boy and 19 are girls. So the boy has this built-in harem and he goes to town. (I’m supposing because only the girls can give birth so this would be most productive for the purpose of expanding the genus.) It wouldn’t take long before the new genus would be well established. Great. Where are they? Huh?

If such a scenario happened, there would likely be significant evidence of the event. Moreover, if mutant Daddy could accomplish this then it is likely there would be other “mutant Daddies”. The problem with this is each new genus would be a different genus. Otherwise how could several different carriers pass on the same mutant gene? It is not likely.

The other problem would be in order for a new genus to reproduce, one would need both a male and at least one female to accomplish the task. How different is this scenario that that of Adam and Eve? To me, not very. But there is yet another question that needs answering.

According to Biologyonline, in 2018 the Catalogue of Life quoted 173,363 accepted genus names for both extant and extinct species. Okay, fine. How did they come into existence? If one subscribes to the mutant theory, then, since the beginning of life on earth, genera would have had to evolve at least 173,362 times (other tallies come up with different totals). This rather suggest new genera would evolve on a fairly regular basis. Personally, I’ve never heard a whisper of a single new genus being documented as ever happening. Ever.

Maybe there is another theory on all these different genera came about. I do not see where it matters as nobody is even facing the elephant in the room: where are all the new genera? Has evolution stopped entirely? Why? How?

Let’s revisit Adam and Eve, shall we? In light of all of the acrobatic twists and turns evolutionary theory must subject itself to in order to simply get to where it is today, the story of a supernatural being creating life on earth, including the first couple, doesn’t seem all that hard to grasp to me. Bluntly put, it seems very straightforward. Ah! But then you are forced to accept a superior being! You say. Well…

Why don’t we simply extend evolutionary theory just one step beyond man. After all if evolution has not simply ceased then it is only natural to accept that our Homo genus is not the end. Would it not then be inevitable that a being superior to man will eventually evolve? How far could evolution reach? Could it produce a being so advanced, we would have to call it supernatural?

Now for some simple math. The earth is said to have been formed 4.5 billion years ago. Some estimate the first life formed on earth 3.77 billion years ago but others have moved that up to 4.41 billion years. I suspect because I’m not the first one to venture down this road and they are running scared as they run the numbers. You see, according to the Smithsonian, Homo Sapiens came into being about 300,000 years ago. That is the current species. I have yet to find when the genus Homo came into being so for tickles and grins, lets go with the 300,000 number. Now I cheated. I used the 4.5 billion number for the total number of years and divided that by 300,000 as a period of time for one genus to evolve. That works out to 15,000. What is 15,000? Well, if a new genus (not species, mind you) evolved every 300,000 years from the beginning of the formation of the earth then we would have a total of 15,000 genera by now. Well, wait just a gol-darned minute! First of all nobody ever said new genera would evolve like clockwork. True. Besides lower level genera would likely evolve faster! Also true. Granted, I’ve never worked out any kind of a timeline to see how it might work. I’ve stuck to the simple math because it satisfies my suspicion that the time crunch makes the whole concept of evolution not feasible. Again, even when allowing for accelerated development for less evolved genera, one major question remains to be answered.

Where are the new genera? Why hasn’t mankind seen even ONE new genus of any kind evolve… ever?

For me, the more I examine evolution, the more questions I ask, the more convinced I am of God’s creation. It is simply far more logically plausible than man’s theories.

If I were seeing this post for the first time, I know what would be on my mind. It would be that 300,000 years of Homo Sapiens. Hmmm. Adam and Eve only goes back about 6,000 years. Let’s talk about that.

I will stipulate to the scientific evidence of Homo existence extending far beyond the biblical 6,000 years. I’ll simply move forward on the assumption those figures are accurate, though it would not surprise me if strong indications of major problems were uncovered. As far as I’m concerned, it does not matter. The first verse of Genesis, accurately understood, is sufficient for me.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

The King James Version is useful because it italicizes a lot of added words. For the purpose of this post, I added the italics for was because my software does not copy and paste this as is. Notice the first “was” in verse two is NOT in italics but the second “was” is italicized. Why? First understand there is no verb “to be” (is, are, was, were) in the Hebrew. There IS however a word for “become”. Simply put the first “was” represents an actual Hebrew word – the verb “to become” while the second “was” was added.

Thus this first is more correctly rendered

Genesis 2 And the earth became without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

In other words, God did not CREATE the earth without form and void, it became that way. Why? I don’t know. What I do know is this indicates a passage of time between the original creation and when the earth became null and void. It is reasonable to me that during this period of time was when dinosaurs roamed the earth and earlier versions of man existed. Scripture picks up beginning with the events in Genesis 2b “And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

Further evidence of this is found in Genesis 1:28 where He tells Adam and Eve to replenish the earth. Replenish means to fill again, suggesting it was filled before it became “void and without form”.

Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Again, this is far more plausible than what evolution theories offer. Even science has identified five “top” extinction events since the earth was first formed. Other extinction events are also indicated. While scripture does not explain the whats and the whys of the previous history of the earth, I certainly don’t want to be the one to tell God Almighty of His “mistake”. Surly an Almighty and All Knowing God has His reasons for what He does and does not do.

So one can conclude life in earth did exist before Adam and Eve and the events of Genesis 1:11-27. What about Homo Sapiens that existed before Adam? Well, here is where things get interesting. Would it surprise you to learn that scientists who study these things are not at all in agreement? According to LiveScience.com

““There’s a H. sapiens fossil from Ethiopia that’s about 195,000 years old, and it has the basic features of modern humans,” Stringer told Live Science. “From 195,000 years onwards, we find fossils we can call H. sapiens reasonably accurately.”” (Bold added by me)

Did you notice how slippery their language is? Language such as “Basic features” and “reasonably accurately”? The bottom line is they don’t really know. Thus it is entirely reasonable to suggest that these earlier “Homo Sapiens”, while possibly, even probably the same genus, are different in species. I say they are “probably” Homo Sapiens however… “Scientists do not agree on an exact definition of what constitutes the genus Homo, according to a 2015 review published in Science.” By the way, this same article also says the oldest Homo fossil so far is said to be 2.8 million years old, so my own “genera calculation” above is way off and not in the evolutionists favor!

Oh. That’s disturbing. So what constitutes the entire genus Homo is in question but they can “definitively” say what a Homo Sapien is? Well, as I said before… no, they cannot.

So why do I stipulate to science even if those scientists aren’t all that sure about their own scientific findings? For me, the science doesn’t change anything – not because of “faith” but because of actual plausibility. Yes, faith does play a part. The word “faith” means belief. I believe scripture because time and time again, scripture has proven true, even when I don’t completely understand it. I also believe in gravity because what we know about gravity has proven true time and time again, even when I don’t completely understand it. Science indicates that life, including some form of what we call “human” life existed before Adam. Science can ascertain certain things about this life, including the “humans” possessed a certain amount of intelligence and exhibited certain social behaviors. Why put the word “human” in quotes? I do this because nobody knows for sure exactly what they were like, just as we do not know why they became extinct. Were they actually human or did they simply have some aspects that resembled humans? I doubt if mankind will ever find an answer to that unless we crack the time barrier.

It can not only be said that “we don’t know what we don’t know”, but we cannot even be sure of what we think we know. What I can be confident in is God knows.

God knows what happened before Adam and Eve. He knows how it happened and why it happened. He knows we would discover the fossils and artifacts left behind. He even knows the true science behind it all and the mistakes our scientists are making. The “why” behind it all needs to be left to His wisdom. It is all here for a reason. I see no cause to go wandering off in search of answers we may never be able to find, especially considering we may not even be asking the right questions.

The scriptures we have been given are clear enough and plausible. They are far more plausible than anything offered up by man. In fact, science has again and again proven these scriptures to be accurate. If fact, an increasing number of scientists look at the universe in awe as they begin to understand how perfectly arraigned it is. So much so that if a single minuscule aspect was not “just so” then the entire universe would collapse.

Seriously, is it that hard to accept that God created the heavens and the earth, that He placed all the genera on the earth, including the first man? How much harder is it to accept than the idea that life first came into being 4.1 billion years ago and evolved from a single cell to the massive variety of plants and animals living here today, as well as those that became extinct along the way?

The Great Delusion Revisited – Steaming Towards The End Times

As the continuing saga of the so-called pandemic rages on, one question has come up on more than one occasion. Is this the “great delusion”? There are a couple of places in scripture where such is alluded to. The first place is in 2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

As always the context should be considered.

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

As I read this verse 11, the question comes to mind. Whom does the term “them” refer to?

Verse 10 says “…them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Now reading from the top, the first two verses say.

2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him

2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Keep in mind paragraphs as such are all added by men. They carry no Godly authority at all. So if you were to read these two verses as one:

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand

Now it is clear the author is moving from the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him” to the day of Christ (kurios – Lord, not christos – Christ)

Let us consider where it says “the day of Christ is at hand”. Here is where the inherent accuracy of God’s Word shines. The word “Christ” in this verse is the Greek word “kurios”. It NOT “christos” that is typically rendered “Christ” as in “Jesus Christ”. Rather, the word “kurios” is usually rendered “lord”. Thus verse 2 should read “the day of the Lord is at hand”. Why bother with just one word? This word – kurios – tells is the topic is a specific period of time in prophecy and scripture. It also tells us what the following verses pertain to.

Now consider 2 Thessalonians 2:3

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

This is where things get interesting. Note the term “falling away” is the Greek word “apostasia”, rendered in English “apostasy”.

From biblefood.com

The Greek word “Apostasia” is a compound of two Greek words: “Apo” = “to move away”, “stasis” means “standing or state”, or “to stand”.

Literally, from its basic definition, “apostasia” means “to go away from”, or “depart”, or “change state or standing from one state to another”.

Another common interpretation is “a falling away”, a “defection” (Theyer’s and Strongs) or a “revolt” (NAS Exhaustive Concordance). These suggest a basic turning away from the True Word of God. Well, we’ve certainly seen plenty of that already. Let’s not forget the second part of this verse.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 …and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Wait! There’s more!

2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Two separate events are referred to here – this “falling away”, apostasy, and “that man of sin will be revealed”. There is not much detail about this apostasy. Whether one takes it as a “revolt” or a general turning away from God or a “departure” as in the rapture, it does not matter here. The more crucial question we are seeking an answer to is “what about this “strong delusion” in verse 11? We are getting there.

Now… about that delusion. From the scriptures laid out on this page, I think it is safe to say the “strong delusion” in verse 11 of 2 Thessalonians pertains to the events surrounding this “man of perdition”.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

It is those who reject Christ who will be received.

In the gospels, Jesus is recorded in both Matthew 24 and Mark 13 speaking of many being deceived. The text of Matthew 24 is below. Mark is quite similar, but by all means, look it up for yourself.

Matthew 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before.

26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

In verses 4 and 5

Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

In verse six, he indicates the when…

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

He states this in answer to the question about when shall be signs of the end.

Now consider whom Jesus is speaking directly to – his disciples. His disciples were Hebrews – Jews. His ministry was entirely to the nation of Israel. Note this distinction made in the epistle to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Three separate groups are identified here: Jews, Gentiles and the church of God. While this is not definitive, this passage certainly indicates “the church of God” as a unique group. What separates us? The new birth, as it was not available until Pentecost.

Since Jesus would not have been speaking to the church of God, aka, the body of Christ, it follows that these things do not pertain directly to those of us Christians living in this age of grace. Thus, the “elect” he speaks of must be Israelites in the end times.

Even for those who might take exception to my logic here, the deception spoken of by Jesus is quite specific. Those who are deceived are not “the elect” and they are being deceived by false prophets and false Christs who show great signs and wonders.

While there are rumblings about false messiahs in the past few years – some held up Barrack Obama as a “messiah” and more recently, some are promoting the idea of praying to Anthony Fauci. While I certainly agree that Fauci should indeed be counted as a false prophet and the idea of BO as a messiah-type is as abominable as one can get, I don’t think we are quite at the point Jesus was speaking of.

The bottom line is, while this virus pandemic is certainly a grand deception, we have not yet entered into the end times. How much longer? I don’t know. From what I can ascertain, the world will move into that period soon after the rapture takes place. Some do not believe there will be a rapture, however my studies over the years indicates that it will indeed occur. Is this wishful thinking? I do not believe so. For one thing, I do not care one way or another. While I yearn to depart and be with my Lord, forging through tribulation times holds a certain appeal of adventure and excitement. Much like war, I am certain the realities of those times will be far more difficult that one’s glorious visions.

In any case, my hope is to live long enough to see Jesus coming and meeting him in the air. While the world seems to be preparing for this to happen, who knows how long it will take?

Long ago, I had a friend who did not believe. His retort was always “What if you’re wrong?”. My response was always along the lines of “I’d rather be wrong being for God than against Him.” Of course the one thing I could not explain to my friend was I just knew I wasn’t wrong! Such knowledge can only come from being born again of the spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior then I strongly suggest you do so now. Time grows shorter every day. One of the major reasons I believe in the rapture is through a careful study of Revelation. Reading that, it becomes clear those living in that period are not under grace. This glorious age where anyone can be born again by confessing Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead will end. While it will still be possible to be accepted by God, I cannot say how this will happen. What I can say is right now, as of this writing, the words of the Apostle Paul stand clear:

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Christians were never promised to be free of tribulation.

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

However “The Great Tribulation” (caps mine, no divine authority) as indicated in the end times is something altogether different. It is the final wake up call for those who reject God, who refuse to believe no matter what. What possible reason would there be for a loving God to subject His children to the horrors detailed in scripture. I can think of only one – we are needed to help those who are will to change their minds. As far as I’m concerned, if this is what God wants for me, I’m in. For the time being I’m happy enough to encourage anyone reading this to accept Jesus as Lord now. Accept deliverance from the wrath to come.

Will Our Nation Be Restored?

This has been the question on my mind in my daily prayers… more or less. Meaning, I cannot say I’ve raised this question every day. That said, I’ve long held our nation is at a crossroads. Yeah, I know it’s not a stretch. I never claimed to be a prophet, only an observer who sometimes extrapolates what I see. This crossroads, as I see it branches three ways. One is utter destruction as our nation collapses within itself. This is what the controllers are vying for. Another is an internal war. Again, the controllers would be fine with this as they see the end result would be the same… or nearly so. Finally there is restoration. This would be an act of God Almighty. My ideal would see our nation not only restored to a constitutional republic but to the republic as it was always meant to be. Thus WE the PEOPLE would step up and do our part as proper citizens, holding those we elect to represent us accountable. Bluntly put, I doubt if I would ever see my ideal come to fruition, however I’d settle for almost anything moving in this general direction.

Now my prayer is always for restoration, of course. Sue me. I believe in miracles and in the power of Almighty God. This morning I actually received an answer. As usual it was not the answer I might expect. What was the answer? It doesn’t matter. Yes. You are reading correctly. Strangely enough, I was not disturbed by this. On the contrary, I was at total peace. Why?

With the revelation I had, and I can only call it a revelation, I understood how I can best serve my Heavenly Father and my Lord Jesus the Messiah. What is that? Do good. Speak the truth. In other words, steady as she goes. No matter how the storm rages around me, I am to simply trust. More on this in a bit. Here is where things get, um, well you be the judge…

Granted I wrote the sentence above as thunder booms out my window. It’s the first rain we’ve had in quite a while. We can all write that off as my mind incorporating the surrounding environment as I write – right? Before I started this essay, I made my morning rounds to a couple of news and blog sites I frequent. This morning I was greeted with a warning about trouble stirring ahead in the form of major lockdowns to the extent of one needing “papers” to travel even within the state. Yeah, yeah, I know. Yet another warning about the coming evil. Along the same lines, we are being inundated with illegal aliens swarming across our southern border, the Delta variant is infecting both inoculated and those who are not. Yesterday, an article warned to get ready for the National Guard to start going door to door, jabs in hand or some such. A report from Florida says they’re experience the highest Covid deaths ever, though word has it the delta strain is less deadly than its predecessor. In other words, the future of this nation has not looked so bleak in my lifetime.

It is easier than ever to give in to the gloom surrounding us. The controllers are not letting up. Indeed they are doubling down. Without divine intervention they will succeed! I am certain of it. Certain but not concerned. Why? My trust is in God Almighty. Consider this passage from scripture:

Mark 14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew the scriptures so he understood he would be beaten so badly as to be unrecognizable. He knew he would be crucified. He knew his side would be pierced. In other words he knew he was in for a world of hurt. He also knew he didn’t have to go through all that! That’s right. He suffered all of this by choice. Even standing before Pilate (and I expect it took everything he had just to stand at that point.), he stood firm, with full knowledge the worst was yet to come! Yet for all of this his heart was “not what I will, but what thou wilt”.

Now if my Lord Jesus could endure all of that… if he could trust his Heavenly Father to deliver him… why can’t I? I am reasonably certain I will not have to go through anything like Jesus did.

Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

My prayer for my nation remains for the restoration of this nation but my stance is the same as that of my Lord Jesus as he faced certain death: “not what I will, but what thou wilt”.

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

For decades I prayed to understand God’s Will for my life. I sought His Will in many other ways also. I prayed for wisdom and guidance for many different situations and a variety of circumstances. It took me a very long time to understand the true freedom I’d been granted by God Almighty. His Will for me has always been the same. No matter what I do or where I go, I am to:

Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Anything I do in accordance with the above is blessed by God Almighty. Anything. During my time on earth I have done many things that I’ve regretted. No, they were not all bad things, just, well, not optimal. Some of these I did actually believing they were what God wanted me to do. Were they? Possibly. Possibly not. IF I had set my sights on God rather than struggling to do whatever I thought He wanted me to do, I believe things may have turned out more favorably. I cannot say. What I am saying is seeking God’s Will is much simpler than most of us suspect. Are we putting God first in our lives? Is what we are looking to do in line with “love thy neighbor as thyself”?

Many of the decisions I made in the past, prayerfully or not, were made based on circumstances – a job offer or things happening in my current employment – some event or opportunity available to me. Many times these decisions were made under stress. Had my focus, my trust been upon my Heavenly Father, my decisions would have been far easier. This is not to say the outcome would always be without issue or as one might expect. Consider the plight of Joseph, for one.

The bottom line is, whether or not our nation is restored, as Christians, we need to keep our sights on God Almighty. This in no way guarantees a smooth ride to the end. As a matter of fact, we can expect turbulence and tribulation. The good news is we’ve all been able to peak at the ultimate outcome. Spoiler alert! God wins.

Enjoy! Our “Fearless Leader” Grants Permission to Celebrate Our Freedom!

If you somehow missed the irony of the headline, read it again. For us “normal” deplorables, Happy Independence Day!

Apropos for today, Chris Tomlin’s “America”. Please consider the words carefully.

Today is the day we mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

The text is below courtesy of The Bill of Rights Institute:

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Now consider Psalm 18 – attributed to David

Psalms 18:1 ¶<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said,>> I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
24 Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.
27 For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.
28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
33 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.
36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.
38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.
39 For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.
41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me.
44 As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.
45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places.
46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

There are a couple of differences one should note.

First of all, David, of course, lived before the new birth became available. Why is this significant?

David stated:

20 The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me.
23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.

As a Hebrew, David was obligated to follow the law of Moses. Whereas we have an advantage:

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

David was righteous because he was diligent in following the law of Moses. WE are righteous because our Heavenly Father made us righteous when we believed on His Son, Jesus.

Another important difference is David was also a warrior. One of his first and best known acts was to defeat the Philistine champion Goliath. Scripture is loaded with many battles won by David. He wrote this Psalm after one such victory. None of this indicates we need to follow David’s example. Just as we come about righteousness differently, I believe victory over our enemies can also be realized differently… and without bloodshed.

This is not without precedent. Consider the lepers in 2 Kings 7:

2 Kings 7:5 And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.
6 For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
7 Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.

Every battle won by Israelites had one common thread: they relied on Almighty God for their victory, usually in the face of overwhelming odds against them. Isn’t this like we face today?

Again, I implore my brethren in Christ, take a lesson from 2 Chronicles 7:14

May God bless you and keep you!

James Chapter 5

The first chapter of James states this epistle was written specifically to “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad”. By the time we get to this fifth chapter it should be obvious some if it applies to a broader audience. As you read the chapter below, feel free to ask yourself… has these things come to pass, does this speak of the present or is it still future?

James 5:1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

As for myself, I keep asking… are the last days upon us? What more is to come? I have no answers as of yet… only questions.

All I can say is, if you are not ready for the return of the Messiah Jesus, what are you waiting for? While the time TO be ready as always been now – time has never been more of the essence.

God bless,

Andy

Psalms 127:1 This is what I read this AM

My regular reading – this is what came up. Make of it what you will.

Psalms 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

PS: Here the word “LORD” is from the Hebrew “Jehovah” – more accurately translated YHWH. This is the proper name for our Heavenly Father. WE are His children.

According to E.W. Bullinger’s Companion Bible “they shall speak with the enemies in the gate” indicates the children negotiating or fighting.

Tomorrow I read Psalms 128. I have not memorized this passage nor do I remember what it says. It may be just as relevant or it may not.

God bless,

Andy