Today, reply is on discernment and recognizing chance occurrences as different from divine responses and answered prayer. The frameworks of time and space promote the concepts of goals, random order, and the independent existence of operations that use numbers to describe secular reality (e.g., amount, dimension, sequence, statistical predictability). However, these are often useless where sacred knowledge and spirit truth are to be shared. Similarly, as tools to establish belief and conviction, conjuring and magic fail when used to establish the actuality of GOD (thus, the prophetic demonstration performed by Moses before Pharaoh, casting down his staff that became a snake, is followed by calamity and plague, divine displays of judgment and wrath against sin). The immutable and unchanging aspects of divinity serve as fixed points of reference for created beings and living creatures that can not be altered or manipulated, and are “anchors” during times of confusion, tribulation, and turbulence that include sudden occurrences and unpleasant surprises. Redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ are not a matter of “luck”, or being chosen out of a hat at random like a raffle ticket. Multiple acts of self-will are required from sinners such as acknowledging divine judgment, making deliberate choices, heartfelt commitment, continuous communication and exchange in prayer, discovery, painstaking effort, focus, forbearance, forgiveness, rebirth, repentance, unselfish service, sacred studies as well as suffering, waiting and careful work. The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Jay” (Level 1 with 95 points, a member since November 14, 2017) posted the following:
God s work or just a coincidence?
My family and I were at a Premium outlet yesterday. We arranged a time to regroup back then departed out ways in the mall. When it was time to regroup back, eveyone but my mom arrived. We waited for a while then started to search. I walked around the outlet for around 15 minutes and did not manage to find her. I bumped into my other brother searching but my mom was nowhere to be found. I decided to pray (I m not a strong Christian but my mom tells me to pray in times of trouble) that my mom will appear so that we can go home. Immediately, she popped up leaving me speachelss... I told her to wait in the car while I search for my brother who is somewhere in the mall still searching. Again I decided to pray (I was thinking if he showed up, this would be scary) and he popped out of nowhere. Is this God s work or a coincidence? I know this is a silly question but I am truly amazed and wonder if there really is a God.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. (Ecclesiastes 9: 10-12, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Standing On The ABCs? (11/09/2017); Leadings of the Spirit (11/05/2017); GOD Is Imparting Truth (10/30/2017); Christ Our High Priest (10/25/2017); Miracles Are Not Everlasting (07/18/2017); Miracles Are From GOD (03/14/2014); Giving Forgiveness? (03/15/2014); Magick and Prayer? (10/29/2012); The Fear of GOD (10/30/2012)
“Jay”, the process GOD is using in our lives is one of revelation and making divinity known, not one of creating mysteries and puzzles, or hiding the truth. During a person’s lifetime they will have many experiences where the cause or source is hidden and obscured, and that will be difficult to explain. Often, random, strange, and unfamiliar events trigger behavior, fear, and reactions that are no less than idol worship (attributing divine power to man-made things, things in nature, and other persons), superstition (belief that one may influence outcomes of events by charms, spells, etc.), and fascination with the occult (such things as banshees, Egyptian mummies, and ghosts). Consider again how Moses was on his way home from the day’s work as a shepherd when, out of curiosity, he stopped to get a closer look at a strange sight. In fact, he allowed the sheep to continue on without him in order to see what appeared to be a bush that had caught fire. When he turned aside, Moses did not intend to pray or have a religious “time-out” so much as to see why there was no smoke or ashes from a burning bush.
In agreement with the holy writings, Christian believers expect sacred events (we say, miracles) intended to make known the active presence, character, and purposing of divinity (1) will repeat earlier and recorded divine works (what God has done God can do); (2) will promote such responses as expressing gratitude, obedience, reverence, and thanksgiving; (3) will restore peace of mind by resolving conflicts and settling disputes; (4) will expose error and sin that seem natural and normal, yet, are contrary to human and divine nature; and (5) will be “marked” and have a divine “signature” that declares the author’s name (i.e., proclaim it is an act of GOD).
Born-again believers are to practice discernment wherein their own endowment of imparted spirit from the makeup of GOD is used as a standard to recognize and respond to deposits of divine spirit that reside within events, other people, prophecy, the holy writings, etc. Water baptism depicts the death, burial, and resurrection of ones inborn spirit. Thereby, a sinner becomes a vessel containing divine spirit, and is accounted an offspring of GOD, a joint-heir with Christ, and one who bears holy seed that must become ripe for harvest (the return of Jesus Christ).
Many mistakenly turn to Christ because they are seeking material benefits, good fortune, and selfish gain. Just as there are divine gifts that operate in ones consciousness (e.g., a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom) there are operations of human mind that include instinct, intuition and premonition. Also, there are such things as “chance”, “likelihood”, “possibilities”, and “probabilities”. Even so, divine acts will carry out the divine will; will be in harmony with natural and divine law; and will fulfill divine proclamations, promises, and prophecy. Thus, Christian belief does not endorse psychic powers, sorcery, wishing, witchcraft, and those who claim they have “luck” (a presence that influences the outcomes of events according to their own desire). Here are some points using language from the Bible:
(1.) 1st Samuel 15: 22-24, King James Version (KJV): 22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
(2.) Romans 8: 13-17, KJV: 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
(3.) Romans 8: 27-29, KJV: 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 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.
There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and made a part of our own spirit makeup. (For example, (4.) 1st Corinthians 14: 26-33, KJV: 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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