(12/22/2017) The First To Help?

Today, thoughts are shared on almsgiving, charity, compassion, and unselfish service among Christian believers and the poor.  For most modern-day problems and troubles, money frequently turns out  to be a primary need; however, where careful and godly assessment are made, we also discover there should be humility, intercessory prayer, laying ones petitions before GOD, and displaying gratitude with giving of thanks.  Born again and developing Christian believers will be endowed with spirit substance from the makeup of GOD to enable their endurance of challenges, opposition, persecution, and suffering.  Even so, those living in distress and enduring hardship often practice bestowing respect, celebrating abundance and plenty, lending without interest or usury, sacrifice and demanding from oneself along with personal sharing as obligatory, precious, and indispensable.  Similarly, as those in covenant relationship with GOD through Jesus Christ and those joined to divinity as his sacred body on the earth, the church acknowledges a duty from GOD to supply its own members who are less fortunate.  Those having no income or savings generally include babies, minor children, the clergy, orphans, teenagers, the elderly, and widows, who in turn, make commitment to minister and serve others around them—even those outside the church—through personal outreach and sharing.  Creating, improvising, and finding new applications for old solutions become important, and further establish oneness without sameness.  One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” forum who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:


Spiritually why do those less fortunate become the first ones to help in times of troubles?

Hoping those who have the ability wake up and help those less fortunate in the world and stop being so selfish.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:  and the God of peace shall be with you.  (Philippians 4:  4-9, King James Version, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Not All Are Welcome (11/28/2017); Giving, A Divine Discipline? (10/09/2017); GOD Within Christian Believers (07/31/2016); GOD’s Way Not Equal? (07/17/2016); Put On Charity? (11/16/2015); A Christmas Message, 2014 (12/25/2014); Giving Forgiveness? (03/15/2014); Cleansing the Temple, and the Body (03/16/2014); Struggling? (05/11/2013); Through Much Tribulation (05/12/2013)


“Anonymous”, here are some points of explanation that came to my mind that might have to be examined by careful research and study before we could agree that they truly apply:

(1.)  Many among those less fortunate are quick to support others because their principles and values for survival tend to emphasize cooperation, protecting and sharing with one another, and unselfish giving.  By contrast, survival among the wealthy and well-to-do often demands and legitimizes aggression, competition, discipline, and self-promotion.

(2.)  The focus of those less successful tends to be present conditions, and any crisis at hand; while successful people have been described as those who focus on goals, what is possible, where they want to be, and what they actually want to achieve within a set time frame.

(3.)  The lifestyle and daily routines of Christian believers often generate less anxiety over carnal, material, secular, and social issues.  Those who maintain a healthy, regular prayer life, can express great freedom from anxiety and other emotional, psychological, and spiritual conditions that generate stress and worry

(4.)  Among the poor and less fortunate, strength and wisdom also are accepting what comes, and timely surrender without abandoning faith or hope.  Focus on need is used as a defense by those less fortunate to limit ambition, distraction, greed, and exaggerated pride.

Of course, there is far more that could be said.  (For example, consider again the testimony of the Apostle Paul who describes the lifestyle and mindset for those helping to prepare the harvest for Jesus at his Advent (we also say, his appearing, the Rapture, the Second Coming):  (5.)    Philippians 4:  11-13, King James Version (KJV):  11 Not that I speak in respect of want:  for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:  every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(02/24/2015) Prayer in Public?

The proper places for private, public and secret prayer are considered today along with the Savior’s condemnation of counterfeit religious displays and vainglory (we say, showing off).  The prophecies of Jesus to condemn hypocrisy and self-promotion do not contradict the divine exhortations to continue good works, importunity, intercession, devotions performed out-of-doors, and shared prayer.  Given that the gathering places once set apart only for service to GOD now also are used as social halls, community centers, and auditoriums for civic service, amusement and recreation, church sanctuaries are often defiled and profaned by personal chatter, gossip, quarrels and whispering. Some congregations even display cadavers and honor their dead in the areas once strictly set apart for intimacy with GOD by divine laws against uncleanness. While the tabernacle and temple were divinely chosen as locations for oracles, offerings and sacrifice, no specific place was commanded by Deity as the setting for prayer.  Prayer has been neither forbidden nor required on the basis of age and gender criteria; and group prayer is practiced by as few as two partners as well as by many more than one hundred.  (See Acts 1:  12-15, Acts 21:  4-6, 1st Timothy 2:  1-6 and James 5:  13-18, KJV.)  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Yk” (Level 2 with 397 points, a member since February 05, 2015) attacked using the following:


When Christians pray in public like a church is that the same as praying in a closet with the door shut like Jesus Christ said to pray?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them:  otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:  That thine alms may be in secret:  and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are:  for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:  for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not ye therefore like unto them:  for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.  After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (Matthew 6:  1-9, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Saved by a Prayer? (10/31/2014); Is Prayer an Act of Faith? (11/01/2014); Perfection and Prayer? (08/27/2014); Prayer not Enough? (07/12/2013); A Tree Falls To The South (07/13/2013); Outgrowing Childhood Prayers? (04/07/2013);  Confessing Only to GOD? (04/08/2013)


“Yk”, here are a few points that many Christian believers take into account regarding prayer:

(1.)  Prayer is one form of intimate communication between believers and divinity that permits multiple forms of heartfelt exchange and interaction.  Included are acceptance, agreement, appeal, approval, confession, dedication, intercession, lamentation, listening, petition, praise, promise, sacrifice, sealing, and submission.

(2.)  Because prayer also cleanses and sets apart for service (we say, sanctifies), the sanctuary of most church buildings are accounted anointed, consecrated, and purified through prayer.  Thereby, as though it were the upper room recorded in scripture, the area where believers assemble becomes their most holy place wherein they may receive the divine presence; and it is not simply because of its size that congregations gather there for instruction, prayer, and worship.

(3.)  No believer ever prays alone.  Their prayers are joined to those of the angels, to those of Christ and the Holy Spirit as well as to those of every other believer who was, who is, and who will be.  Thus, the power of a single prayer is amplified and multiplied.

As with all the things of our salvation, there is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Believers pray without fear in all places (the home, the workplace, the battlefield) understanding that nothing can separate us from the love of GOD in Christ.  The assembly or body is itself a “closed setting” wherein believers may offer prayer as though concealed and hidden.  Outsiders may hear or see the carnal dimensions that indicate believers are praying such as bowing the head, folding the hands, or bending the knee.  However, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are in a direct communication that does not even require speaking aloud.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith and spiritual maturity.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC