(01/12/2020) Judge Not The Appearance

Today, reply is on counsels from Jesus Christ regarding the practice of judging others. To correctly minster to sinners returning to GOD through Jesus Christ, followers of the Lord must practice forgiveness, and suspend condemnation by mankind. The goals and objectives in sacred judgment are acknowledgment, affirmation, approval, the provision of mercy, and the justification of divinity. Questions on how to recognize cults and Satan-worshipers have low priority among mature Christians. Satan has no authority, influence, or presence in the final judgment by GOD. Moreover, the Devil has no power to conceal, defend, protect, or release any from the divine expressions of wrath against sin. The Adversary will be cast into the Lake of Fire before the Advent of Jesus Christ (i.e., the harvest; the first resurrection; the Second Coming), and before the second resurrection that will be completed prior to the white throne judgment. For the church, sacred judgment will focus on the spirit process and substance imparted from the makeup of divine fullness that should appear within events, objects, persons, and speech expressing the sovereign will of GOD, rather than on occurrences of poor attitudes, bad conduct, faulty logic, violence, and naughtiness. Failing to realize that sin is contrary to the continued existence of divine law, the Lawgiver, the true nature of humanity, their own survival, and our preserving the multiple spheres of life that make up the universe, transgression and iniquity are being practiced as a way of life on the earth. Boasting themselves as those having free-speech, many mistakenly regard the making of false accusations, blasphemy, name-calling, presumption, rebellion against divinity, and slander as a matter of showing oneself to be attractive, clever, knowledgeable, intelligent, or even scientific. Because judging others, and the judgment practiced by sinners and the ungodly are self-promoting and punitive in their focus, the fruit they produce are decayed, rotting, and filled with anger, bitterness, enmity, malice, revenge, and spiritual confusion. Those who deserve praise and rewards from GOD will not be forgotten or overlooked. It is written: 1^st Corinthians 4: 3-5, King James Version (KJV): 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. A fighter in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion & Spirituality using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile is shown) posted the following:

Is it true that evil people can seem nice on the outside?

And satanic cults don't always look like cults?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Revelation 20: 11-13, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Presuming To Judge Others? (12/16/2019); Ones Spirit Must Grow? (09/29/2019); Judging Another Person’s Conversion (09/06/2019); The Thought of Foolishness (03/31/2019); When Nobody Is Looking? (09/13/2018); Condemned By The Bible (06/08/2018); On Wearing Sports Jerseys? (11/20/2015)

“Anonymous” as an aspect of error and sin, many of us become entangled in judgment whereby we oppose one another, and wherein we oppose GOD. Only divinity may correctly assign and identify assessments of sacred character, divine operations, and the presence of consecrated fruit (we say, judge; condemn; sentence anyone to damnation). Even so, mature Christian believers are to acknowledge multiple lessons and warnings from divinity that promote balance, integrity, and wisdom when applying sacred law to resolve conflict and settle disputes among themselves, and those outside of the faith with whom they may have disagreements and quarrels. Such practices as deception, hypocrisy, and spiritual confusion can appear by focusing on surface elements of material objects, carnal reason, and social interaction. Believers should avoid competition, use of secular knowledge in place of sacred knowledge, and relying on finite visible indicators, rather than proper discernment of spirit content and eternal purpose. The brethren (i.e., those who also are members within the body of Christ) are to resemble, reflect, and reveal the character and likeness of Jesus Christ to one another not only through shared praise, worship, and unselfish service (i.e., religion, church stuff). We should show ourselves his followers through our ongoing lifestyles and daily routines, commitment, humility, our endurance of sufferings, our willingness to forgive and be reconciled to others as well as our willingness to be accountable to divinity. Consider the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of Wintley Phipps:

(1.) Malachi 3: 13-18, King James Version (KJV): 13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? 14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? 15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. 16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

(2.) Matthew 7: 1-5, KJV: 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

(3.) Matthew 7: 14-20, KJV: 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

(4.) 1^st John 4: 1-8, KJV: 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5n4ZdyHJOg.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 5:41 PM, January 11, 2020 @ https://i.pinimg.com/736x/b6/9b/35/b69b35b6605952ca38efab25033e6601.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(12/10/2015) Academic Language?

The term “Judeo-Christian” is the topic, today, along with the sharing of faith despite differences and diversity.  The Social Sciences as an area of academic discipline have fostered use of the term “Judeo-Christian” when describing cultural phenomena or populations as well as when examining activity between and among national groups.  Neither Christian nor Jewish believers are correctly acknowledged as spiritual bodies (i.e., living units that contain faith, holiness, and other spirit matter from the makeup of Deity).  Where academics insist upon “critical thinking” and study that fails to embrace sacred knowledge the actual focus continues to be conflict, differences, and patterns of human error, rather than divinity, godliness, oneness and unity.  Consider the following Scriptures, and the comments below:  Acts 5:  34-40, King James Version (KJV):  34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;  35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.  36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves:  who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.  37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him:  he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.  38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone:  for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:  39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.  40 And to him they agreed:  and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  Also, Romans 8:  3-5, KJV:  3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  Romans 3:  28-30, KJV:  28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.  29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:  30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Noah” (Level 3 with 1,115 points, a member since November 16, 2015) posted the following:


Why do People say "Judeo - Christian"?

In view of what we know today, how can there be "Judeo-Christian" anything?

"Judeo-Christian" is as unrealistic as it would be to say anything is "hot-cold," or "old-young," or "heavy-light," or that a person was "healthy-sick," or "poor-rich," or "dumb-smart," or "ignorant-educated," or "happy-sad." These words are antonyms, not synonyms.

A CHRISTian is a believer in and a followr of, the teachings of Jesus CHRIST.

Judeo-Christian....HUH!

Seems to me there's a lot of CONDITIONING going on.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law:  that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight:  for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:  for there is no difference:  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness:  that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.  (Romans 3:  19-26, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  A GOD of Judgment (12/01/2015); Tools for Revelation? (10/26/2015); To Study the Book of Judges (09/09/2015); Instruments, Tools and Workers? (07/23/2015); Christ Brought A New Nature? (07/15/2015); More About the Trinity? (03/30/2015)


“Noah”, the expression “Judeo-Christian” is recognized by many as “academic” or “scholarly” language used among those who examine the things of divinity as being abstractions, mental constructs, and secular traditions.  On the one hand, very real differences that exist between Christian and Jewish belief are to be correctly “acknowledged”.  On the other hand, none may dismiss the shared expectations, origins, processes, and values for the two distinct expressions of faith.  Historically, the early Christians were condemned and persecuted by the High Priest and others of the Jewish hierarchy as being another in a series of misguided, unorthodox, extremist groups within their community that followed a charismatic leader (we say, a cult).  It remains as firm belief for many that Deity is active through created beings and living creatures, and is fulfilling eternal purposes through the things that exist.  For those today who pursue faith as a matter of lifestyle, self-awareness, and communal definition, Jewish belief appears as conservative and unchanging, having its primary purpose as continuing covenant relationship with divinity, manifesting divine law, and preserving oracles from GOD.  By contrast, Christian belief is active, forward-looking, and volatile because grounded in prophecy and revelation.   Christian belief declares a new covenant with new understandings for sacred law and judgment.  Consider again the language provided throughout the holy writings:

(1.)  Deuteronomy 7:  6-10, King James Version (KJV):  6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God:  the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.  7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:  8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.  9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;  10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them:  he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.

(2.)  Romans 2:  28-29, KJV:  28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

(3.)  Romans 3:  1-3, KJV:  1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?  2 Much every way:  chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.  3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

(4.)  Romans 2:  12-15, KJV:  12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;  13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.  14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

(5.)  Romans 9:  30-32, KJV:  30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.  31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.  32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

(6.)  Hebrews 9:  19-23, KJV:  19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,  20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.  21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.  22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.  23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

There are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a part of ones own expression of faith.  (For example, (7.)  Hebrews 9:  11-15, KJV:  11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:  14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Many are called, but few will show themselves to be the elect.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(02/20/2014) Doing GOD’s Plan?

Accountability, foreknowledge, free will, and Judas are topics, today, along with more on snake handling.  The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “heart” (Level 6 with 15,519 points, a member since November 24, 2007) posted the following:


Wasn't Judas just doing God's plan?

ok follow me please..Judas. He betrayed Jesus then killed himself. Jesus KNEW that was going to happen (him hanging himself, then Jesus being imprisoned and crucified) but that's what was supposed to happen right? I mean if you think about it, Judas sacrificed his life like Jesus did because someone had to betray Jesus in order for him to go on the cross to die for everyone's sins right??


THE BATTLE AXE:  Snake Handling? (02/19/2014)—Prophetic demonstrations are a series of actions and nonverbal presentations used by a spokesperson from GOD to proclaim a divine message, and may use gestures, movements, objects arranged in patterns, and symbols in the place of words.  Miracles and signs are sacred events performed by GOD, and through operations of the Holy Spirit, and are not continuing and regularly scheduled sacred practices of men.  Also, Faith cometh  by hearing, and hearing by the word of GOD.  Thus, apart from the word, snake handling is no different than snake charming (a natural process of the material world), and at its best is only a “good work” that can not serve as the foundation of ones salvation.  Miracles and signs do not edify (build up) as do sacred law and prophecy.  Demonstrations of boldness and confidence that oppose the natural order may increase doubt, fear, and uncertainty without also imparting spirit content from Christ.  Where there is no word from GOD, there should be no confirmation that follows.  See Deuteronomy 13:  1-3, Psalms 78:  31-39, John 10:  36-38, Ezekiel 4:  1-17, Acts 28:  1-6, Matthew 16:  1-4 and John 3:  11-12, King James Version.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:  the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  But there are some of you that believe not.  For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.  And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.  Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?  He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon:  for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.  (John 6:  63-71, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); When People Covet (12/22/2013); Freewill is Finite (06/30/2013);  GOD Intervenes? (07/01/2013); GOD Knows Tomorrow? (04/12/2013); Did Jesus Know? (12/22/2012); The True Miracle (12/23/2012)


“heart”, here are a few points to consider that agree with Christian belief, and fit with the full system that makes up the Gospel:

(1.)  Divine foreknowledge of human events pertain to the operations of GOD among created beings and living creatures, and to the fulfillment of eternal purpose.  It works the same way all Americans now know a new President will be chosen on a specific Tuesday, in November of a forthcoming year, and may determine exactly when by looking at their calendars, yet, have no knowledge of actual details on whom the Nation’s choice will be (e.g., age, eye color, height, marital status, name, party affiliation) until that time.

(2.)  Angels are not mortal, are not omniscient (all-knowing), and may only decide the future as do men, by establishing consequences and effects from their actions and choices.  Only GOD who is a spirit  is immortal, incorruptible and unchanging.  Believers may speak of the foreknowledge of GOD as an aspect of divine will (specifically intent, law, purpose, the sanctions of the law), proclamation, and prophecy.  In this sense, Adam knew death would come upon mankind before the pair laid eyes upon the fruit; and Jesus knew both mankind, and all the things he must do to fulfill his ministry.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (3.)  Foolish men and angels lacking necessary endowments from GOD, insist upon a “free will” that allows disruption of divine order, the annulling of GOD’s will, and the termination of their own existence as an aspect of the divine person revealed.  The many non-negotiable conditions for mankind’s continued awareness and being as created include being cold in snow, and wet in rain.  There is no free will; and the plans of any to set aside divine love, final judgment, and sacred truth only come by lack of imparted spirit content from GOD.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(08/31/2012) A House of gods?

      Sins of ignorance, the misuse of freedom, and widespread spiritual confusion are the focus of today’s presentation. Also, there is more on cults.

THE BATTLE AXE: On Cults (08/30/2012)—Religious sects are different from cults. Sects are products of schism within an orthodox body, and therefore maintain great continuity with traditional beliefs and practices. Cults are held to arise spontaneously around novel beliefs and practices. Because cults may feature the use of devices associated with traditional religion (such as dogma, imagery, language formulas, and ritual drama), these relatively small groups may be labeled as believers at the forefront of new religious movements. For many the core issues in the discussion of cults are merely the “sensational” aspects described in the media: (1) their reliance upon intimidation; (2) their adoption of paramilitary models with stockpiling and use of weapons for self-defense; (3) their use of “mind control” techniques; and (4) their finish through mass suicide. Cults generally lack the comprehensive doctrine, history, sacred purpose, and spiritual benefit provided through the church created by Jesus Christ. At best, cults fulfill intense, yet, temporary emotional, psychological, and social needs.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And the man Micah had a house of gods, and he made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel: but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17: 5-6, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: On Cults (08/30/2012); On Religious Items (08/29/2012); Set Free To… (03/27/2012); Bad Knowledge? (02/05/2011); Responsibility? (01/25/2011)

      One of the most startling accounts of mankind’s need for divine presence and a holy ministry to dispel spiritual confusion is recorded in the Book of Judges, Chapter 17. There, a man named Micah, a descendant of Joseph, from the tribe of Ephraim, resolves a dispute with his mother. When 1100 pieces of her silver were taken from her, she began to call down curses upon the thief, not knowing, her son was the person responsible. When he “confesses” and restores the money, his mother is pleased, and calls to Jehovah for a blessing upon her son. More than this, she dedicates the silver to Jehovah to be used to make a graven image. The molten image is then displayed in a chapel or shrine along with teraphim (small idols representing gods believed to protect ones household), and an ephod, (a holy garment to be worn only by those anointed as priests, and a feature in the regalia of the high priest).

      More than simply an account of a dysfunctional family (where a son steals from his mother’s purse to buy cigarettes or marijuana), or an incidence of flagrant idol worship among the covenant people, we are given a description of sins that result through ambition, including one man’s desire to establish his own household as an independent worship unit. Many factors are important to explaining how this could come about: (1) there was no central authority (a king) to enforce uniform obedience to covenant law throughout the many regions and local areas; (2) Levites had no authority except when serving at the Tabernacle. The Levites were dispersed in their cities, suburbs, and fields, going to the Tabernacle only occasionally as scheduled for their service; (3) the priesthood and those of the Tabernacle were both too far away (i.e., remote), and the focus of sacrificial service did not permit continual oversight upon developments within the twelve tribes; (4) the people were ignorant of the law, and were not regularly instructed, or given correction regarding even the most basic commandments forbidding idolatry; and (5) the tradition of Judges sent by GOD (usually following visitations) did not focus upon declaring divine law, or administering ordinances and statutes associated with the covenant so much as upon the deliverance and survival of Israel when threatened by the enemies of GOD.

      When a young Levite, who had left the portion donated to his family in Judah appeared in the hill country of Ephraim, Micah offered to exalt him as father and priest, to provide him with priestly regalia, to give meals and housing, and to pay him 10 pieces of silver per year. Next, Micah consecrated the Levite, and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah. The account concludes: Then said Micah, Now know I that Jehovah will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest (Judges 17: 13).

      Those who assume, like Micah, that we may bargain for, buy, control, and possess divine blessings, or purchase the holy provisions for deliverance, redemption and salvation from GOD using our material goods, operate in gross spiritual confusion. When every man does “what is right in his own eyes,” rather than conform to faith as spirit-content imparted from GOD, he becomes blind to the extreme, yet subtle workings of his own appetite, desire, fantasy and imagination. Rightly understood, “religious liberty” means strictly conforming to models given by GOD, and dutifully performing sacred tasks that are assigned. Micah may have had no deliberate intent to challenge GOD, to disobey, or rebel; and Micah was overjoyed to have finally secured for himself and his own household a believer’s most coveted condition and tool, a direct access to Jehovah GOD. However, in ignorance, Micah and all the others had behaved as lawless and irreverent, thoroughly violating the covenant and its primary laws.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, spiritual confusion appears wherever divine law, the sacred spirit, and the holy word of GOD are not consistently relied upon to have power over awareness, and to moderate discernment. Lacking all of these three in proper measure, at no time did Micah recognize that he himself was being rogue and was behaving as a renegade. While every prophet or spokesperson from GOD also had authority to offer sacrifices for sins, only the priests serving the Tabernacle (and later, Temple) were approved to make acceptable holy offerings.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(08/30/2012) On Cults

      Considered today are cults, the benefits of wearing religious items on ones person, and the spiritual issues of owning manufactured tools and technology. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “foxy_R” (Level 1 with 210 points, member since June 24, 2006) posted the following:



When does religion become a cult ?

I know this question will anger some, I am really sorry it's not ment to. My little sister has joined a religious group through school and in the last 6 months has started to spiral out of controll. We were brought up religious, church on Sundays, ect. Now she is throwing all her things out, she said she is not suppose to have worldly possessions. She broke up with her BF of almost 2 yrs,and has stopped being friends with 90% of her friends because they are "non believers" (even if they are religious) she has to read and write bible verses every day. singing and dancing are sins. I just want my fun loving sister back but the more we try to steer her from this group the more she considers us the enemy. Any suggestions?????



THE BATTLE AXE: On Religious Items (08/29/2012)—Men and women take comfort from many objects used to reinforce awareness of doctrines and teachings of various belief systems. Included are depictions of angels, medals, rosaries, mezuzahs, phylacteries, and prayer rugs. Amulets, good luck charms, and talismans are associated with magic and witchcraft, and not with Christian belief. As such, these are objects that reinforce the superstitious idea that a person is endowed with a unique quality (i.e., luck) that enables them to influence the outcome of events, and that maneuvers every result to their benefit and favor. As an instance of power that is not derived through the Spirit of GOD, luck is to be classed with charms, deceits, enchantments, and spells promoted by demons and devils. In the same way money is an idol in the lives of many, drugs, guns, sex, and other people (for example, celebrities, ones children, ones spouse, ones employer) become idols, because fear and desire distort their true usefulness and value making them appear “all powerful,” controlling, and sovereign over life and death. Those who exaggerate the importance of body parts (breasts, buttocks, penis, etc.) also practice a form of idolatry no different than worship of the lingam, phallic worship, and worship of the yoni. Consecrated items (e.g., the rod of GOD used by Moses; the flesh hooks, ladles, gold and silver vessels, and other utensils used in service at the altar of sacrifice; the holy ground of Tabernacle and Temple) at first were common, and became holy only in the sense that they were to function strictly in divine service. Similarly, a man or woman is holy only to the extent they are filled with the imparted, indwelling spirit from GOD, function fulfilling sacred purposes, and make the Divine Person present and visible. Christians are correct to respect manufactured tools, and to carefully clean, estimate their value, store, and use them as needed. Included are automobiles, cell phones, computers, firearms, recording devices and televisions. Christians may occasionally wear festive clothing and jewelry; however, women are specially cautioned to never be without the adornment of a spirit that is quiet, and ready to receive instruction from GOD (1st Peter 3: 1-6, King James Version).



THE GOLDEN ARROW: The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10: 24-28, King James Version)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Mixing Islam and Christianity (03/26/2012); Girdle 3: Through The Fire (11/18/2011); Dispatch 44: Just A Closer Walk (09/23/2011); To Do His Will? (01/31/2011); Chewing Gum? (01/30/2011)



      While cults may be characterized by dietary laws, dress codes and strict social discipline, the elements that actually mark a group as a cult are its (1) departures from, and exaggerated focus upon selected doctrines and teachings of established belief systems; (2) dependence upon the human characteristics and personality of its leaders--as distinct from their spiritual anointing or divine endowment--who are typically aggressive, combative and defensive; (3) isolation and “quarantine” of its believers in communes, gated communities and “secure” facilities; (4) imbalance between recruitment programs and outreach or service programs for the larger community; (5) efforts to manufacture experiences of divine presence; and (6) that members are not entitled to leave the group.

      Generally, cults do not come under organized campaigns of attack by “mainstream” religious groups. Churches, synagogues and others dismiss their members who drop out to join cults as being apostates, heretics or simply immature and irresponsible persons. The cult is held to be a temporary phenomenon that cannot prosper, or be self-sustaining. Nevertheless, because they are seen as attacks upon civil law, “common sense” practice, customs, and tradition, cults quickly come under the condemnation of communities where they spring up.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, to the extent a cult maintains rules of secrecy they will be characterized as endorsing occult practices, superstition and unbelief. Also, while members of cults may be required to participate in fund raising activity, information regarding income, expenses, and the distribution of money are not routinely shared with donors, members, or government tax authorities.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC